Bafta has spelled out its commitment to helping to shape a “more equitable” TV and film industry as it publishes the diversity of its membership ahead of its annual TV awards.
Bafta’s membership is split 58% male/42% female. Meanwhile, 16% of its members come from underrepresented ethnic groups, 12% identify as LGBTQIA+ and 7% have a disability.
Under outgoing chair Krishnendu Majumdar, the organisation has added 2,500 members, taking its total to 11,500, helped by a new Bafta Connect membership tier for emerging and mid-level creatives.
The recently-launched Bafta Connect directory aims to help such members build networks and for employers to address crew shortages and fill skills gaps.
Under-represented groups are a strong focus of Bafta’s plan to add at least 1,000 more voting members over the next two years.
In a letter to members, Majumdar emphasised that “creative excellence” must remain the academy’s benchmark for awards. “Setting diversity quotas for voting is not the answer,” he wrote.
“However, we know that for so many talented people across the screen industries, it’s still not a fair race from the start. We simply don’t all have the same opportunity to tell our stories.”
He added: “We must continue to call on the industry’s gatekeepers and decision-makers to recognize their critical role in a shared mission for a more equitable industry. We can all play a part in creating an industry that is better for future generations that the one we joined.”
Bafta’s TV Awards take place on Sunday 14 May. Writer, historian, broadcaster and producer David Olusoga is set to receive a Special Award and actor and writer Meera Syal will be honoured with the Bafta Fellowship, which includes a role in mentoring trainees in the Bafta Learning programme.
