BAFTA shares $375,000 in grants to “86 talented creatives” to launch their careers in the UK and U.S.

BAFTA has awarded over $375,000 (£277,000) in grants to 86 “emerging creatives” in the UK and North America.

In a celebratory breakfast attended by actor and director Peter Capaldi, BAFTA says the increased number of bursaries this year will help the next generation of filmmakers, game designers, actors, producers, editors, and more who face “financial barriers to breakthrough and progress in their careers.”

BAFTA has also named its next selection of UK Scholars who will each receive up to around $16,000 (£12,000) in funding towards tuition fees or living costs in addition to mentoring and free access to BAFTA’s year-round events.

U.S. applicants receive packages worth up to $60,000 to support study at leading institutions, including Duke, UCLA, USC, NYU and the American film Institute, as well as mentoring and career support.

Awards for creatives working in the UK’s video game sector include game producers Aidan Sealy and Matthew Stevens. Several artists, illustrators, animators, and sound professionals were also included, while Frances Acton received a scholarship to study BA Computer Arts in Abertay University as a BAFTA Reuben Scholar.

Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: “Opening doors for the next generation of storytellers is at the heart of BAFTA’s mission. Our bursaries and scholarships remove the practical and financial barriers that too often stand in the way of talented people starting out in film, games, and television. From driving lessons to specialist equipment and tuition fees, this support can make the difference between someone having to step back from their ambitions or moving forward with confidence.

I’m immensely proud of the impact these programmes have had to date, and deeply grateful to the many patrons who continue to champion the creatives of tomorrow.”