Prince William, the Prince of Wales, is continuing his support for young filmmakers, attending a special crossover event hosted by two of his key patronages in London.
On Wednesday, October 9, Prince William was present at 195 Piccadilly for an event co-hosted by BAFTA and the Royal African Society, which focused on uplifting young people pursuing careers in film, television, and the games industry.
As president of BAFTA and patron of the Royal African Society, Prince William has long championed creativity and the arts. At the event, he met with recipients of The Prince William BAFTA Bursary Fund as well as students from the National Film and Television School who have received support from the Royal African Society.
These students and young professionals are emerging talents across various fields, including production, costume design, writing, game design, and sound engineering.
The Prince William BAFTA Bursary, which was established in 2021, provides financial assistance to young people from underrepresented groups to help them overcome barriers and establish themselves in the film, television, and games industries.
This year’s recipients had the chance to meet with Prince William and share their experiences, explaining how the bursary has helped them move forward in their careers.
In his speech at the event, Prince William highlighted the vital role the arts play in people’s lives, both personally and culturally. “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,” he said.
“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.”
The Prince also expressed pride in his involvement with BAFTA, especially its dedication to supporting the next generation of storytellers.
“As President of BAFTA, I am very proud to be involved with an organization that is dedicated to breaking down barriers for the storytellers of the future… It’s fantastic to have met the latest cohorts today and hear about their ambitions for the future. I look forward to following your careers and seeing you become nominees and winners of BAFTA Awards in years to come!”
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Prince William also took time to meet with students who have been working with the Royal African Society on its Film Africa festival, which is dedicated to showcasing African heritage filmmakers.
The students have been involved in curating the festival program, helping select short films that represent diverse voices and stories from across the African continent.
In a conversation with the Prince, they discussed the importance of bringing African stories to a global audience and the growing impact of African filmmakers in the international film industry.
Film Africa, now in its eleventh year, is the largest festival dedicated to African filmmakers in Europe. It takes place annually during Black History Month and continues to be a key platform for promoting African voices and narratives in cinema.
Prince William has served as president of BAFTA since 2010 and has been a consistent advocate for the arts. He attended the 2024 BAFTA Awards in February, though his wife, Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, was notably absent due to health issues.
In March, it was announced that Kate had been diagnosed with cancer and had begun chemotherapy. Last month, Kate revealed in a video message that she had completed her treatment.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,” she said. “Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown.”
The event in London marks yet another example of Prince William’s ongoing efforts to support young people in the creative industries, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
By working closely with BAFTA and the Royal African Society, he hopes to open doors for the next generation of filmmakers and help them achieve success on the global stage.
News Source: PEOPLE
