BAFTA/LA Newcomers Program

BAFTA/LA invites applications for its recently created Newcomers Program, which is aimed at UK industry professionals or students who work in or study film or television and have recently moved to Los Angeles. Successful candidates will be able to attend screenings and events if space permits.

The Board created the program because it felt that young people are most in need of support when they first arrive in LA from the UK, and believes that BAFTA/LA should extend a hand to them at this stage in their lives, both out of altruism and out of self interest, since many of them will go on to enjoy successful careers in the TV or film industries, hopefully with positive memories of the Academy. In all likelihood, they will not be eligible to become full Members because they will not meet our Membership criteria; rather, the Board proposes to provide them with mentoring, arrange special events and allow them to attend regular events and screenings when space allows.

A committee has been formed with special responsibility for the Newcomers Program. It will solicit applications, review them and if necessary interview the applicants, act as liaison between the Newcomers and the Academy, introduce Newcomers to suitable mentors, manage renewals and arrange events for the Newcomers to meet each other. The committee will also take over responsibility for arranging mentoring for any regular Members who request it. If any Members are interested in serving on the committee, or in providing mentoring, please send an email to office@baftala.org with the words "Newcomers Committee" in the subject line.

The basic eligibility criteria are that the applicant must:

• be a UK citizen,
• be either
• a full time student at a film, drama or other professional school connected with film or television, or
• have full time employment (whether paid or unpaid, i.e., we include interns), or be working on a full time basis if self-employed, in film or television, or related professions, and
• have lived in Southern California for less than 2 years unless they have previously been a full time student in a film or television arts related course.

In addition to meeting these basic criteria, the applicant should be able to demonstrate his/her quality to the Committee. Factors to be considered will include his/her academic qualifications, any prior industry experience, the nature of the course and the institution where he/she is studying, or the nature of the business where he/she is working and his/her position there, and generally whether this is someone who would benefit from an association with BAFTA/LA, and vice versa. In short, we are looking for the next generation of our peers in their respective fields.

There is a two year time limit on inclusion in the Program, subject to annual review, to be revisited in the future if need be. Applications for inclusion for periods of less than a year will be considered, but six months will normally be the minimum. Annual renewal will not be automatic and will be contingent on the individual continuing to meet the basic criteria and demonstrating that they are benefiting from an association with BAFTA/LA, and vice versa. In exceptional circumstances, an individual's participation in the program may be terminated at any time by the Committee in its sole discretion. Applicants will be asked to attend an in-person interview.

Initially, there will be a cap of 35 people in the Program at any one time, although this may be revisited in the future.

Those chosen for the Program will be asked to pay an annual fee of $100. In addition, successful applicants will be asked to act as volunteers at events at least once every six months, to help us out, and to increase their visibility and make them feel more vested in the organization.

If any of our Members know of any potential candidates for this Program, please forward this information to them. Any questions, comments or suggestions about the program should be sent by email to office@baftala.org with the words "Newcomers Committee" in the subject line.

Applicants may either mail a letter and enclosures to BAFTA/LA at 8533 Melrose Ave., Second Floor, West Hollywood, CA 90069; or send the materials by email to office@baftala.org with the words "Newcomers Committee" in the subject line. Do not send a check at this time.

Applications will be considered once a year. The next closing date is February 19th, 2010.