The BAFTAs will now exclude films that don’t meet a newly established diversity criteria, with two of the ceremony’s main awards only being given to the films that fall within these new guidelines.
This major change follows the controversy surrounding this year’s Academy Awards, with “#OscarsSoWhite” trending as a result of the event’s large amount of white nominees. The BAFTAs have therefore decided to lead the way in a major push for inclusivity, requiring filmmakers to prove that they have worked to improve diversity in two of four areas before they’re eligible for two key awards, with both the Outstanding British Film and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer being reserved for those who have met the criteria.
The criteria follows the British Film Institute’s diversity standards, which provides funding for filmmakers in the UK. The areas in which the BAFTAs are encouraging diversity are as follows:
- On-screen characters and themes
- Senior roles and crew
- Industry training and career progression
- Audience access and appeal to under-represented audiences
BAFTA has also revealed that it will be allowing film industry workers to join its voting panel without them having been recommended by two existing members, bringing an end to a ruling that was previously criticised for enabling nepotism. A statement from BAFTA said that the removal of this rule “widens the pool of potential members and ensures that it’s only talent, and not also who you know, that enables Bafta membership.”
The BAFTAs will next take place on February 12, 2017, with it being the 70th anniversary of the awards ceremony. December 15 was the final deadline for films set for release before January 1 to have been screened to its panel of voters.
Image Credit: BEN STANSALL / Getty Images
(Via BBC)
