BAFTA may be best known for its glittering award shows but much of its work is devoted to helping future stars on the journey to the red carpet. The British Academy runs various new talent initiatives designed to support and champion the next generation of film, television and games creatives. Participants and supporters of these programs were welcomed and celebrated at a special event at the British Residence in Los Angeles. The reception was hosted by Consul General Emily Cloke and British Ambassador Dame Karen Pierce with a guest list including the likes of BAFTA’s longtime New Talent co-chair in LA, Sandro Monetti, and Hollywood International Filmmaker magazine publisher Jimmy Jiang. Those new talent programs include Breakthrough – for emerging stars in the industry such as animation director Siqi Song, who already has an Oscar nomination to her name. Then there’s the Newcomers Program – for global talents full of potential, such as actors Mark Prendergast and Emma Maddock along with producers Allison McGourty and Zane Kalnina. Newest of the programs is the Vance Byrd Mentorship Program which identifies talented students from across Los Angeles and helps them with mentorship, internships and scholarships to put the youngsters on the path to success. It is named after one of BAFTA’s brightest young talents who was tragically murdered outside his LA home. Vance never got to live to fulfill his huge potential but the program launched in his honor will ensure that he is never forgotten.
