BAFTA forging ties between UK, China's creative industries
- By Tom Cunliffe
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E-mail China.org.cn, October 23, 2015
On Oct. 21, 2015, as part of the Chinese state visit from Oct. 19-23, Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, and president of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), presented a BAFTA gift to Chinese President Xi Jinping at Lancaster House, London.
The gift -- an original artwork from the BAFTA archive revealing the heart of BAFTA's historic headquarters in London -- symbolizes the spirit of open, creative collaboration that BAFTA promotes between the UK and China and commemorates 2015 as the UK-China Year of Cultural Exchange.
Amanda Berry OBE, chief executive of BAFTA, guided President Xi and Prince William through the showcase at which BAFTA screened a short film highlighting its ongoing work in China and staged a performance by BAFTA scholarship recipient Wan Pin Chu, a composer from Hong Kong, who performed British and Chinese music on the erhu, a traditional Chinese instrument.
BAFTA announced today a number of other events taking place in November with leading British talent: BAFTA-nominated hair and make-up designer Naomi Donne (Chocolat, Skyfall, Spectre) will discuss her craft at masterclasses with M.A.C Cosmetics in Hong Kong and Beijing, BAFTA's first event in China's capital city; BAFTA-nominated actor Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington) will attend a fundraising dinner in Hong Kong in support of BAFTA's charitable activities across Asia before visiting secondary school students studying English drama and finally discussing his work with students, leading industry figures and the public at a special "In Conversation" event.
Amanda Berry OBE, chief executive of BAFTA, said, "I was delighted with our involvement in today's event and to be part of President Xi Jinping's state visit to the UK. The event showcased the range of creative excellence in the UK while recognizing China's significant contribution to the arts.
"HRH The Duke of Cambridge's gift presentation to President Xi Jinping, made on our behalf, is a symbol of our commitment to strengthening ties between our countries as we announce our first-ever event in Beijing and prepare to open applications for an expansion of our scholarship program across mainland China, which began in Hong Kong."
Prince William is a supporter of BAFTA's work in China, helping the organization forge stronger links with creative talent in the country. In March this year, Prince William donated a replica BAFTA award on the Academy's behalf to the Shanghai Film Museum during the GREAT Festival of Creativity in Shanghai, and helped launch BAFTA's latest scholarship scheme for students studying in Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, which opens for applications in 2016.
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