BAFTAs Tonight
One of the major highlights in the year for British film happens this evening. Our (by far superior) version of the Oscars, The Orange British Academy Film Awards.
Traditionally hosted by an irreverant but enthusiastic Stephen Fry, the ceremony has grown in recent years from minor awards of little interest to the wider world into one of the major indicators of Oscar success.
Of course, the BAFTAs represent a very British point-of-view, so the awards presented do not always reflect the same choices the American Academy will be making in the next few days.
The BAFTAs, especially in the past few years, have reminded me of what an amazing film industry we actually have in this country - and what a heritage goes with it too: One of the more poignant parts of tonight’s ceremony will be the In Memoriam package, looking back at all the past filmmakers who have passed away in the last twelve months.
These days we may not have many films on the same scale as Hollywood blockbusters, but there are many skilled people in this country creating movies. From the technical skills offered by specialist companies to the writer/producer/director/actor self-funding and filming their low-budget drama, Britain has a unique place both in film history, present and future.
In a healthy society we need great accessible art and culture. Movies are certainly a big part of that in Britain. To be able to create is an amazing gift. We may not all be able to act or direct, but we all have some kind of creative skill. Tonight we celebrate and are inspired by a small minority of a much larger majority of creative people.