BAFTA & NYTVF Align for British Comedy Initiative

LONDON: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is putting out a call for emerging comedy screenwriters in the U.K. to submit projects for a chance to take part in the New York Television Festival (NYTVF).

BAFTA invites U.K. residents who haven’t yet had a full TV series broadcast to submit a ten-minute pitch from their TV sitcom or sketch show for consideration. Three selected screenwriters will be flown to New York to take part in NYTVF, where they can showcase their work in front of top executives from the U.S. TV industry. Their projects will be performed by professional actors at a special BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum at the NYTVF. Execs from FOX, FX and IFC, among others, will be part of the audience. The writers will also receive Official Artist status at the festival, allowing them access to all premieres, events, panels, screenings and special one-on-one meetings with U.S. development executives.

The closing date for entries is July 6.

Kevin Price, BAFTA’s chief operating officer, said: “This is a unique opportunity for emerging talent to make their mark on a global stage, which is an ideal way for the Academy to utilize its international presence to celebrate excellence in the screen industries. The BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum has a fantastic legacy for discovering new writing talent and we’re very excited about taking this event format to our colleagues in New York.”
 
Terence Gray, the founder and executive director of the NYTVF, commented: “The NYTVF was founded to provide a platform for independent artists to showcase their work and gain access to television industry decision makers, and the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum provides a terrific opportunity for UK-based artists to do just that. We are honoured to partner with BAFTA on this initiative and welcome the chance to shine a light on these artists as well as emerging talent from around the world."
 
Farah Abushwesha, co-founder of Rocliffe, added: “Since the Forum’s inception in 2000, participants have gone on to award-winning success, including Jack Thorne, James Dormer, Claire Wilson and Josh Appignanesi. Now, as the forum moves across the pond, three undiscovered British comedy writers will have the rare and potentially career-changing opportunity to have their work performed in front of prominent U.S. television industry executives. It’s a golden ticket for three lucky yet to-be-known writers.”
 
Luisa Fernandez, British Airways Global Sponsorship manager, said: “As a proud BAFTA partner, British Airways is very excited to be supporting the BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum. As part of our Olympic sponsorship and our commitment to showcasing the very best in British creativity, we have launched the Great Britons program—helping British talent to take off. Supporting Rocliffe is an extension of this program and provides up and coming British script writers with a once in a lifetime opportunity.”