The British Film Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), the UK’s flagship film awards body (the equivalent of the Academy in the USA) has announced that, starting in 2019, it will require films that are to be considered for key BAFTA awards categories, satisfy a new list of diversity requirements.
The regulations, adopted from the British Film Institute (BFI), are intended to boost diversity in its membership and reduce under-representation of groups such as BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic), as well as the LGBTQ, women, disabled people, and those of lower socio-economic classes.
The most direct change is in the eligibility criteria for two of its award categories: Outstanding British Film; and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. BAFTA has now instituted a requirement that, from 2019, films submitted for consideration in those categories must conform to the BFI’s Diversity Standards, which were established in 2014 to increase participation and representation of minorities and socially disadvantaged in British film.
In a statement, BAFTA said: “[We believe] they are a flexible and achievable model, which the whole industry can adopt as a shared language for understanding diversity.”
To qualify for award nomination, filmmakers/films must meet at least two of the four following areas in terms of diversity:
— On-screen characters and themes
— Senior roles and crew
— Industry training and career progression
— Audience access and appeal to under-represented audiences
Films will not be eligible for the above two main BAFTA Awards if they do not meet two of the four diversity criteria.
The measures comply with the diversity standards the BFI (British Film Institute) uses to guide its activities and the projects it funds.
The changes show BAFTA’s determination “in increasing the representation of under-represented groups in front of and behind the camera”, a statement said.
In addition, BAFTA has also changed the rules for admitting new members to join the panel that votes for award winners. From this year, those working in the film industry no longer have to be recommended by two existing members in order to join.
“This widens the pool of potential members and ensures that it’s only talent, and not also who you know, that enables BAFTA membership,” the statement said.
Of the 375 members admitted in 2016, 43% were female, 18% were from a minority ethnic group, and the average age was 44, BAFTA said.
Before the new policies were inposed, a survey found that 41% of voters were female, 13% were from a minority ethnic group and that they had an average age of 52. The list of new BAFTA members added includes actors Idris Elba, Emily Blunt, Sophie Okonedo and David Oyelowo.
As we’ve previously reported, the Academy in the USA has also announced and acted on its plans to diversity its membership, starting this year, all in an effort to ensure a more inclusive environment for all. But imagine if they went a step further as the BAFTAs have and actually require that for films to be considered in certain key awards categories, they would have to meet certain diversity criteria in order to qualify.
