This year’s programme saw a 40% increase in applications compared to 2023
BY JASMINE SMITH, IMAGE BY BFI FLARE x BAFTA
BFI Flare and BAFTA have teamed up for a 10th year to support six emerging LGBTQIA creatives working towards their debuts in film and television through their professional development programme.
The prestigious talent initiative, in partnership with BFI NETWORK, supports talent to develop stories for the screen both in the UK and internationally. The selected participants benefit from a robust programme of industry mentorship, bespoke workshops and events at BAFTA and BFI, wellbeing and career coaching and networking opportunities during BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA Film Festival (13-24 March). They also gain access to BAFTA Connect, the academy’s emerging and mid-level talent membership programme.
The 2024 programme saw a record number of applicants – an increase of 40% compared to 2023. Selections this year were based on the quality of their existing work and the original work they are developing.
Cassandra Neal, New Talent and Industry Manager at BAFTA, congratulated the creatives: “We’re truly delighted to be supporting them in partnership with BFI Flare and BFI NETWORK.”
“This year’s group brings a wealth of exciting experience,” she continued, and expressed her desire for the industry “to work with these talented creatives.”
One of the creatives selected is Isabella Bassett, an emerging Glasgow-based producer. Their recent work includes Development Coordinator for BBC Studios continuing drama River City and producing four award-winning short films, as well as securing first-time commissions for twenty new writers.
In 2023, Isabella set up the production company Compatible Film And TV, whose mission is to tell exciting, unheard stories with diverse talent. They are currently producing Seeking, their first short documentary and developing a diverse series The Bowling Green.
Cherish Oteka is another creative selected for the programme. A BAFTA award-winning filmmaker, their work often centres on telling nuanced human-interest stories with cinematic flair. After winning several awards for their short films, Cherish’s next project will be a cinematic feature documentary about the Gay Games.
Other creatives selected were writer/performer Travis Alabanza, writer/actor Zak Ghazi-Torbati, writer/actor Miles Sloman and screenwriter/director Charlie Tidmas.
BFI Flare 2024’s Opening Night Gala film Layla showcases programme alumni Amrou Al-Kadhi (writer/director) and Savannah James-Bayly (producer), as well as actor Matthew Jacobs Morgan and associate producer Emily Everdee.
Alice Cabanas, head of BFI NETWORK, spoke of the impact of the programme: “Bringing together BAFTA and BFI Flare creates a very powerful offer to help support and nurture the filmmakers selected to take part.”
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