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BAFTA/LA News  BAFTA/LA partners with Pan African Film and Arts Festival As part of BAFTA/LA’s ongoing Education and Outreach Program, we are pleased to announce a partnership with the 2010 Pan African Film and Arts Festival, at which we will present a panel discussion and a prize to a selected festival film.
Board Member John Alan Simon will moderate a Film Industry Panel on February 13, 2010. Additionally, BAFTA/LA is pleased to support Kenyan director Waniri Kahiu by arranging for the duplication of 100 DVD Screener copies of festival film From A Whisper. The film was selected by the festival judges to receive the BAFTA/LA Festival Choice Prize, and is based on real events surrounding the US Embassy bombing in Kenya in 1998. We hope the Screeners facilitate the filmmaker’s efforts to promote and distribute the picture.
BAFTA/LA Members are invited to attend the festival screenings at a special discounted rate of $8.50 per ticket, upon presentation of a valid BAFTA/LA Membership card. Screenings will be held between February 11 – 17, 2010 at Culver Plaza Theatres (9919 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles). The opening night gala will be held on February 10, 2010 at the Directors Guild of America.
For full details on the Festival, and for the Screening schedule, please visit www.paff.org.
The 2010 Pan African Film and Arts Festival is an official event of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and the City of Los Angeles during African American Heritage Month.
 An Open Letter to the BAFTA/LA Membership: Nigel Lythgoe BAFTA/LA is pleased to reproduce the open letter recently sent to our BAFTA/LA Members, from newly elected Chairman, Nigel Lythgoe.
Dear Fellow Members,
I am delighted to be elected as Chairman and thank the BAFTA/LA Board of Directors for their confidence in me.
I have spent the last decade in Los Angeles creating original content and work that I hope reflects my diligent passion for both the British community, as well as Hollywood. Throughout this ongoing process, I continue to be mindful and respectful of our challenges and strengths so that I can, with the help of the Board, successfully build off the momentum of our tremendous and most fortunate growth over the last few years. I am, by the way, most grateful to Peter Morris, David Ginsburg and the other retiring Board Members for the contributions they have made during those years.
I believe that this is a very crucial time for all of us. The entertainment landscape is undergoing a drastic change, one that is impossible to ignore and inevitable in nature. More than ever, it is of utmost importance that we make ourselves adaptable and progressive enough to endure this shift. No longer will the traditional forms of media dictate our livelihoods - everything is going viral. The digital age is upon us and success, as we know it, will now be measured differently. In order to preserve our momentum, we need to grow with and aim to always be ahead of this curve. I would urge you all to encourage anyone you know in the digital world whether in games, news, distribution, web-casts etc. to come and join our ranks. Our aim has always been to promote the ‘moving image’ we must now reach into a “Brave New World” in order to do so, how very exciting.
We will not, however, be forsaking film and television in order to do this, quite the opposite. I believe we have an important role to play in supporting British movies in Los Angeles both those that have distributors and those that do not. The UK Film Council has always been more interested in ‘inward investment’ attracting Hollywood business to Britain. Who is better than BAFTA/LA in bringing British business to Hollywood?
I would hope with the new digital distribution platforms we will soon be able to view and vote at the BAFTA Television Awards and I will certainly be communicating this to London.
I have long thought that we should be more active with our colleagues both in New York and London. I would like us to investigate more ways we can participate together in events and branding in order to achieve global sponsorship. Securing long-term sponsorship has never been easy. Perhaps with a single BAFTA brand we can achieve greater recognition.
I also think it’s very important that we find a home for ourselves in LA. Somewhere, where we can meet, eat, drink and network. I know that we have been very close to it in the past but last year due to the problems with the economy everything was put on hold. As we move out of the recession I believe we have maybe 18 months where the economy will improve but property prices will plateau. This will be perfect time for us to find somewhere. I will be re-instating the Permanent Home Committee and would welcome any members that feel they can contribute. In fact that goes for any of our committee’s. You, the members, are the heart of BAFTA/LA. Please don’t be an outsider, join or even Co-Chair a committee.
I have heard several complaints in the past that your Board is self-serving and isolated. Firstly let me make it quite clear that is absolutely not true. Every one of them works extremely hard to enhance the British Academy here in Los Angeles. I, for one, have never been prouder than hearing the media buzz about last year’s Britannia Awards and this month’s Tea Party. Both of which took a great deal of time and effort from your elected volunteers. Therefore, I will do everything in my power to make sure that the feeling of isolation between Board and membership is eradicated. To that end, it is my wish to hold at least 4 Chairman’s Surgeries across the year. Rather like my beleaguered Member of Parliament back in the UK, I will make myself available at the BAFTA/LA office to listen to any problems, complaints or ideas the membership may have.
I have an excellent Executive Committee in Brian, Rebecca and Paul and an extremely committed and talented Board. Along with them, I personally look forward to representing BAFTA/LA and its members with all the dignity and regard that this honor has bestowed upon me.
Let’s have a great year.
Yours sincerely,
Nigel Lythgoe
Chairman
BAFTA/LA
Membership Short Film Showcase BAFTA/LA is pleased to announce a new event for 2010; The Membership Short Film Showcase.
Short films have long provided filmmakers from all disciplines with the opportunity to experiment with new techniques, expand their repertoire, or work with subject matter that may be better suited to a short film format.
As part of our mission to promote and advance original and creative work, we are pleased to invite our Members to share their short film projects with their peers.
The Showcase itself will be held during the Spring of 2010 and is expected to include screenings of the short films, accompanied by a reception to allow Members to meet, network and share ideas.
At this initial stage, we are asking for BAFTA/LA Members with short film projects to contact us. Projects must be no more than 20 minutes long, and the Member submitting the film must be one of the principle participants in the creation of the work.
If you are interested in submitting a film for possible inclusion in the showcase, please send an email to office@baftala.org, for the attention of our Education and Outreach Committee.
 Awards Season Tea Party: The Report Once again, the popular BAFTA/LA Awards Season Tea Party attracted an abundant list of well-known names for an afternoon of celebration in honor of the year’s award nominees; Sir Paul McCartney, Dame Helen Mirren, and Quentin Tarantino all enjoying what was reported to be the most unique party of the busy Golden Globes weekend.
In a welcomed contrast to the hectic awards-season circuit, the Tea Party offered Nominees a chance to enjoy tea, sandwiches and scones and relax with our Members and guests.
Amongst those mingling in the ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel were Emily Blunt, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julianne Moore, Claire Danes, Christophe Waltz, Saoirse Ronan, Talulah Riley, Diane Kruger, Joshua Jackson, Gabourey Sidibe, Anna Kendrick, Eli Roth, Jane Fonda, Jason Reitman, Jacqueline Bisset, Joan Collins and Tom Ford, as well as cast Members from The Office, Glee and Mad Men.
The afternoon featured our traditional silent auction, with items including signed guitars, luxury jewelry and sports memorabilia, raising funds and awareness of our expanding Outreach and Philanthropic programs. This year, the auction raised funds for our Scholarship, Heritage Archive and Inner City Cinema programs. In light of recent events, a portion of the proceeds will also support the ongoing relief efforts in Haiti.
The Tea Party continues BAFTA/LA’s tradition of celebrating and honoring the year’s nominees, and we are honored that the event has become the must-attend party of the season for so many of our colleagues.
Photographs from the Tea are available in our Gallery with more photographs coming soon, so please check back for updates.
BAFTA/LA thanks our Tea Party sponsors for their generous and ongoing support; American Airlines, Beefeater 24, British Airways CitationAir by Cessna, Stratus Rewards, and Sky Movies HD. We thank Asprey for the giftbags, and all those who kindly donated silent auction items.
The event was chaired this year by Julia Verdin and Rolf Mittweg, with a wonderful committee of BAFTA/LA Members who worked tirelessly to make the event a success.
Nigel Lythgoe We are pleased to announce that Nigel Lythgoe has been elected to serve as Chairman by the BAFTA/LA Board of Directors. Nigel takes office with immediate effect, and will serve on the Executive Committee alongside Deputy Chair Brian Walton, Secretary Rebecca Segal, and Treasurer Paul Steinke.
As well as those Members of the Executive Committee, the 2010 Board of Directors consists of Norma Acland, Clare Baren, Melanie Greene, Katherine Haber, Paul Heller, Gabrielle Kelly, Maxine Leonard, Belinda Menendez, Tony Porter, John Alan Simon, David Simon, Neil Stiles, Julia Verdin and Pamela Wilson.
BAFTA/LA is honored to have an Executive Committee and Board of Directors who bring a wealth of experience and talent to our organization.
The Members serving on the Board of Directors are responsible for shaping and directing BAFTA/LA’s future and we are truly thankful for their contributions.
We constantly encourage all of our Members to become actively involved in BAFTA/LA, and to contribute their talents and energies to fulfill our mission and ensure our continued growth.
The next stage will be to select the 2010 Committee Chairs, who will subsequently begin to put together their various BAFTA/LA Committees for the year. If you are interested in getting more involved with BAFTA/LA, please begin to think about what you can contribute to your organization and be sure to look for our notices in the coming weeks.
 BAFTA/LA Seminar Now Available Online As part of BAFTA/LA’s ongoing Education and Outreach Program, we present an annual seminar at the American Film Market.
We are pleased to announce that our most recent session is now available to view online at no charge.
Entitled No Direction Home, the seminar focused on the changing strategies for independent film distribution. Our panel of industry leaders offered a useful insight into the distribution climate currently facing independent filmmakers.
To view the video please click here
Panelists:
Chris Hyams
Founder and CEO, B-Side Entertainment
Ted Mundorff, CEO, Landmark Theatres
Jon Reiss
Director/Producer, Bomb It; Author, Think Outside the Box (Office) - The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution and Marketing for the Digital Era
David Shultz
Founder and President, Vitagraph Films
Leslie Urdang
President, Olympus Pictures; Producer, Adam, Rabbit Hole
Mark Burton
President, IndieVest Pictures; Producer, St. John of Las Vegas, 16 Years of Alcohol, Water
Moderated by
John Alan Simon
Writer-Director, Radio Free Albemuth; Producer, The Getaway; Former Staff Writer, New Orleans Times Picayune; Member, BAFTA/LA Board of Directors and Education and Outreach Committee.
BAFTA/LA’s Education and Outreach Program is an important part of our mission to promote, maintain, improve and advance original and creative work among industry individuals. The program is supported in part by the proceeds raised at our various fundraising events and silent auctions.
 Helen Keller Park Holiday Party: Report and Photographs Thousands of local children, families, and officials joined BAFTA/LA at our Helen Keller Park Community Party, celebrating the end of 2009 by bringing the inner-city community together to share the festive spirit of the holiday season.
The Helen Keller Park community has been home to our Inner City Cinema project for several years, and after hosting the first holiday party for a group of 150 children five years ago the event has continued to grow, with over 2000 locals joining us this year.
Located in a park once overrun by gang violence, BAFTA/LA and CURE joined forces with Pete Carroll’s A Better LA, A Foundation For Kids and the LA County Fire Department's Spark of Love program to offer carnival rides, games, bbq food and perhaps the only place to see real snow in Los Angeles that weekend! Of course, no holiday party would have been complete without a visit from Santa Claus himself who helped distribute toys to children and added his special touch of magic to the afternoon.
As those who attended will attest, it was a truly wonderful event and a chance to see BAFTA/LA’s community outreach work in action. Of course, the event was only possible with the support of many people and so BAFTA/LA would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to those Members who volunteered on the day, the Education and Outreach Committee, and to the many people who donated toys and gifts for distribution at the event. We are always thrilled by the support of our Members and for the time you donate to make our programs and initiatives a success.
Many Members and Guests brought cameras along with them, so please visit our Gallery to view photographs from the afternoon.
Contributions by Patrick J. Connolly, Julian Stone If you have any news stories or information you think would be of interest to BAFTA/LA Members, please e-mail us at editorial@baftala.org
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