Prince William attended an event showcasing the importance of supporting young people in the film, games and television industries in London today – making a quip about how his children fight over the TV remote during the do.
The event, which was co-hosted by BAFTA and The Royal African Society, saw the royal, 42, meet with 2024 recipients of The Prince William BAFTA Bursary fund, as well as students from the National Film and TV School who have been supported by the Society.
He made an appearance at the engagement at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly in his capacity as the President of the arts organisation, and Patron of the Society.
The father-of-three started The Prince William BAFTA Bursary in 2021, in an effort to assist young people from underrepresented groups to progress their career in film, games or television through grants.
He was joined by actors Stephen Merchant, Andy Serkis, Celia Imrie and film director Paul Greengrass, all four of whom are donors to the fund. The bursary provides grants of up to £2,000 to individuals.
INDUSTRY FIGURES: Prince William (pictured, right) is seen speaking with (pictured L-R) Andy Serkis; Celia Imrie; Stephen Merchant; Mircea Monroe, and Bafta CEO Jane Millichip
PASSIONATE: Prince William (pictured at BAFTA in London today) is a passionate advocate of the supporting young people in the screen arts
During the event today, the royal (pictured, centre) spoke to supporters (pictured left and right) of Film Africa the Royal African Society’s film festival
While at the do, the royal heard from recipients working across a range of disciplines from production assistants, costumer designers, writers, and game designers, to camera and sound trainees to find out how the bursaries have allowed them to accelerate their careers and overcome barriers within the industry.
Paul Greengrass, the British director and producer who directed three of the Bourne franchise films, and who made the founding donation to the bursary fund in 2021, joined the prince during his chat with the group of young people.
William jokingly lobbied him to make another film, suggesting ‘another Bourne, please?’ This prompted Greengrass to laugh and shake his head with a no.
In addition, they spoke with students who have been working with the Royal African Society on their upcoming Film Africa festival by helping to curate the festival program and give guidance on the short films that have been selected to represent diverse voices and narratives in African storytelling.
The festival, which runs during Black History Month, is the largest of its kind for African heritage film makers in Europe, and this year marks its 11th event.
The heir to the throne joined students in a conversation about the importance of showcasing the creativity of African filmmakers to global audiences, and he also heard from supporters and donors of the two organisations who discussed the importance of philanthropy in helping young talent access careers in the film, games and television industries.
During a chat with Erik Scott, an NFTS student who is on the festival’s selection committee, he joked that his three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, are ‘always wrestling over the remote’ as he hailed the arts as ‘an important part of the fabric of our lives’.
During the event, Prince William gave a speech. In it, he said: ‘It’s wonderful for me to be here to celebrate the work that BAFTA and the Royal African Society are doing to champion the arts and creativity.
‘The screen arts are such an important part of the fabric of our lives, allowing different voices and perspectives to be accessed and enjoyed in the comfort of our own homes.
‘That’s why, as you have heard today, it is so crucial that aspiring creative professionals – regardless of their background or circumstance – have a real opportunity to bring their ideas and stories to life.’
He added that as President of BAFTA, he is ‘very proud’ to be involved with this organisation that is ‘dedicated to breaking down barriers for the storytellers of the future’.
William continued: ‘In 2021, the Prince William BAFTA Bursary Fund was launched to provide vital funding towards costs that might otherwise prevent talented individuals from being able to pursue careers in the industry.
‘To date, over 150 young people have been supported through the programme and have gone on to work in the film, games and television industries as production assistants, costume designers, writers, camera and sound trainees, game designers and many many more.’
He described meeting the latest cohorts today, and hearing about their future ambitions, as ‘fantastic’ – adding that he was ‘look[ing] forward to following [their] careers and seeing [them] become nominees and winners of BAFTA Awards in years to come!’.
According to the royal, opening the door to the creative industries to as many young and talented individuals as possible means also making sure that ‘young people are exposed to as wide a variety of voices and narratives as possible, as early as possible’.
It is also important that young people from all backgrounds can see themselves reflected on screen, he said.
The bearded prince looked pensive while attending the event, which was co-hosted by Bafta and the Royal African Society,
During a speech given by Prince William (pictured), he said that ‘it is so crucial that aspiring creative professionals – regardless of their background or circumstance – have a real opportunity to bring their ideas and stories to life’
‘PROUD’: The heir to the throne also said that he is ‘proud’ to be Patron of the Royal African Society which has ‘worked so hard to create opportunities for people to connect and celebrate a wide range of topics and ideas about Africa’
Continuing his speech, the prince noted: ‘For over 120 years, the Royal African Society of which I am proud to be Patron, has worked so hard to create opportunities for people to connect and celebrate a wide range of topics and ideas about Africa.
‘This includes hosting events like the Film Africa festival – of which you have just seen a snapshot – helping to provide an invaluable platform for people in the UK to access the brilliant creativity of African and African-heritage film makers..
The Society, he added, ‘works to ensure that the next generation of film programmers gain an appreciation and knowledge of African cinema’ through its Festival partnerships with organisations like the BFI and National Film & Television School.
And African cinema, according to the prince, is ‘really flourishing’, with this year’s instalment (its 11th) showcasing more than 70 films – from Morocco to Madagascar, Sierra Leone to Senegal.
Following William’s remarks, Arunma Oteh, chair of the Royal African Society, made a short speech. She said: ‘Your love for Africa is an inspiration and wonderful for the African diaspora in the UK. We are extremely fortunate to have your generous royal patronage.’
Since its inception, 167 grants have been handed out. While speaking to one of the recipients of this year’s bursaries, he discovered some were students who had used the funds for driving lessons to get to and from film shoots and auditions.
Asked by one how many times he had taken his driving test, William laughed: ‘Thankfully, I passed first time.’
The royal is pictured speaking with people who have benefitted from the Prince William BAFTA Bursary at Wednesday’s event in London
Fans of the Prince of Wales (pictured) facial hair will no doubt be pleased to see the royal still sporting his new bearded look
Prince William (pictured, left) looks passionate as he speaks with BAFTA Director of Learning & New Talent, Tim Hunter (pictured, centre) and actress Sheila Atim (pictured, right) at the event
While at BAFTA, William also thanked Serkis, Imrie and Merchant for their financial support of the bursary fund in his name.
The royal told Merchant he ‘loved’ The Outlaws, the comedy thriller series starring the actor, which according to William, he had recently finished watching.
Merchant, who is 6ft 7, then joked with the heir to the throne about his height: ‘I didn’t realise how tall you were.’
William laughed, replying: ‘And you seem to have grown,’ to which Merchant quipped: ‘I’m wearing my built-up shoes today, I didn’t want to be outdone.’
Imrie told William how she had been struck hearing from the student who used the funds towards driving lessons: ‘I didn’t know about it before, how practical it is. I thought BAFTA just gave out awards,’ to which William joked: ‘And you’ve got a lot of awards. But seriously, if you can’t drive yourself to an audition, that’s a huge hindrance.’
