Yahoo Lifestyle BAFTA Membership: Nearly 1 In 5 Now Based In U.S. As Diversity Improves
BAFTA has revealed that almost one in five of its members are now based in the U.S., according to an update.
This represents 18% of members, though the UK academy’s 13,500-strong network stretches across 50 countries in total. The org has branches in London, Cardiff, Glasgow and LA.
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Overall, 58% of BFTA members are male and 42% female, with 17% from underrepresented ethnic groups, 8% with disabilities, 14% LGBTQIA+ and 19% from low socio-economic backgrounds.
However, a breakdown of members who have joined since 2020 — when BAFTA set itself new diversity targets — reveals a changing picture. Among new members, 52% are female and 48% male, 28% come from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds, 13% have disabilities, 22% are LGBTQIA+ and 21% are from low socio-economic background.
Further details revealed in the membership update include 800 creative practitioners joining BAFTA as full voting members, with 8,100 film voters in total and 6,000 for TV. Gaming voter membership is also at a high, with 1,300. BAFTA said it had received a “record-breaking number of applications for membership in 2024.”
“BAFTA is at the centre of film, games and television: three cultural mediums that widen our worldview, spark joy and bring people together,” said BAFTA Chair Sara Putt. It is imperative that the screen arts represent society on and off screen – yet too many people are still locked out due to barriers and bias or find after getting a foot in the door that a career is not sustainable.
“At BAFTA, we are helping address these systemic inequalities by providing community, spotlighting best practice and celebrating the belief that creative excellence comes in many forms. We are delighted to welcome over 800 new expert voters and look forward to seeing how they will contribute to our work and shape their sectors, as we continue to evolve and grow our academy and help drive positive industry change.”
Voting kicks off for the BAFTA Film Awards tomorrow, with linguists publish on January 3, 2025, and nominations revealed on January 15. The ceremony takes place on February 16.
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