SARAH PUTT: Good evening and a very warm welcome to the BAFTA Television Craft Awards.
British-made TV is one of this country’s superpowers, and that being the case you are the engine room that powers our industry. None of the industry’s success would be remotely possible without the talent we are celebrating here tonight.
I began SPA 35 years ago to address the lack of representation available back then to off-screen talent. I know - hard to believe - I was very young! I must confess to feeling more nervous standing here tonight than I was back in February at the Film Awards. This is my world, I am hugely proud still to be representing this community, and it means so much to me that BAFTA shines a spotlight on your work.
As everyone in this room is aware the creative industries can be a tough place to work, and it’s particularly grim out there at the moment.
Sadly, for some that means it has become financially unsustainable to keep working in TV. Every person who is forced to make that difficult decision is a huge loss to our industry. Any narrowing of our talent pool means a narrowing of the stories we tell, and of the way we bring those stories to life on screen.
So as we recognise your exceptional creativity, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the hardships too; to offer my admiration and thanks for the resilience demonstrated by everyone here and by our colleagues across the whole of the UK. And to take this opportunity to urge us all that In tough times we must not roll back on the commitments and drive to make our industry more inclusive, safe and representative. A commitment perfectly exemplified by Mama Youth Project, the winner of this year’s Special Award.
I hope you all feel BAFTA is a place of community.
BAFTA recognition brings brilliant shows to new audiences, showcases the skill in making great TV, and the benefits of creative risk-taking. As an Academy BAFTA’s role is to celebrate, to inspire and to support. We take this role very seriously and we couldn’t do it without you.
So thanks to everyone here who helps in our endeavours, whether supporting one of our initiatives, speaking at our industry masterclasses, volunteering for a jury and supporting the charity through your membership fees.
I want to thank Jane Millichip, BAFTA’s amazing CEO and the whole BAFTA team. Hilary Rosen, BAFTA’s wonderful TV Committee Chair, and all the TV Committee who volunteer their time and wisdom to BAFTA.
And of course our generous donors and partners, who make tonight possible, including our Official Television Craft Partners Ecotricity and The Partnership Group and our Category Sponsors 3 Mills Studios, BENlabs, Hotcam and ScreenSkills High-end Television Skills Fund.
And finally - tonight’s nominees. Congratulations!
What you achieve reminds us of why we do our jobs. The joy of creativity. The community we treasure.
I hope everyone has a fantastic evening and best of luck to the nominees. Enjoy the show. Thank you.
