We were invited to be part of this very special joint event between @royafrisoc and @bafta , which was the brilliant idea of HRH Prince William, Prince of Wales @princeandprincessofwales . HRH as the President of BAFTA and the Royal Patron of the Royal African Society facilitated the collaboration between the two organisations. The event was in support of the need to continue to create access and opportunities to uplift and upskill diverse creative practitioners in the film industry in the UK and Africa.

The Royal African Society (RAS) through its film festival @filmafrica which is the largest film festival in Europe for filmmakers from the African Diaspora, continues to be the leading platform promoting the African Film industry and has done so for the last 11 years. Through its strategic partnership with the British Film Institute, the National Film and Television School, the British Council, Institut Francais, Rich Mix, African Banks such as Access Bank and Afreximbank, and a number of partnering cinemas, RAS has provided incredible opportunities to filmmakers including masterclasses, workshops, funding opportunities and extensive networking opportunities.

The Prince William Bursary initiative was created and delivered through BAFTA to provide much needed financial support for underrepresented film creatives. The support is used for such things as travel expense to work,, getting a driver’s license, equipment and training progammes.

Many thanks to our friends for joining us Colette Otusheso (CEO of Accelerate Studios/TV), Editi Effiong (award winning filmmaker) and Rasaq Kukoyi (award winning actor).