ITV

Tag: BAFTA

  • BBC HARDtalking anniversary interview with Sir Ian McKellen

    MUMBAI: BBC World News’ legendary interview show HARDtalk will be marking 20 years of asking the questions that matter with a raft of dedicated content.

    The cornerstone of a week of programming will be a special edition of the half hour programme, as presenter Stephen Sackur interviews legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen, in front of an audience in the BBC’s historic Radio Theatre in London (recording Monday 3 April for broadcast on Tuesday 4 April).

    Sir Ian McKellen is the recipient of six Laurence Olivier Awards, a Tony Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BIF Award, two Saturn Awards, four Drama Desk Awards, and two Critics’ Choice Awards. He has also received two Oscar nominations, four BAFTA nominations and five Emmy Award nominations.

    HARDtalk launched on BBC World News on 31 March, 1997, with award-winning journalist Tim Sebastian at the helm. The first ever guest was the acclaimed British actor and film director, Richard Attenborough. The late writer and theorist Edward Said, journalist Irma Kurtz, yachtsman Pete Goss and the late raconteur Quentin Crisp rounded out HARDtalk’s first week.

    Since then there have been more than 4500 guests willing to sit in the HARDtalk hot seat, from international political leaders to entertainers; from corporate decision-makers to ordinary individuals facing huge challenges or finding themselves on the news agenda.

    With up to four shows a week, the team, based in the BBC’s New Broadcasting House in London, strive to find interesting voices as well as holding those in power to account. And the list of past guests is both impressive and extensive, covering all corners of the globe. Nelson Mandela, Donald Trump, Nina Simone, Angelina Jolie, Benazir Bhutto and Robert Mugabe have all appeared.

    The main presenter of HARDtalk is Stephen Sackur, one of the BBC’s most respected journalists. Before joining the programme in 2006, he worked as a BBC correspondent in the Middle East, America and Brussels. Other presenters include renowned presenters Zeinab Badawi and Sarah Montague.

    Commenting on the secret of HARDtalk’s longevity and popularity Editor Carey Clark said:

    “We always have our viewers in mind. They expect us to ask the difficult questions and we don’t shy away from that. In a world that is increasingly coloured by misinformation and conjecture this is a show that holds those in power to account and gets to the heart of the matter.”

    Presenter Stephen Sackur added: “HARDtalk is a unique interview show and I think people see taking part as a badge of honour. Where else do you get half an hour of one-on-one serious, in-depth Q and A to make your case? And it’s not about sound bites or political posturing, nor is it a platform for celebs to plug their latest book. It’s intelligent talk. Most guests know and understand that, and it’s when guests are up for it that HARDtalk works well.”

    Alongside the Sir Ian McKellen edition, BBC World News and BBC.com is showcasing a raft of content from 3 April. It will include two special programmes asking current and former presenters what HARDtalk has meant to them, looking back at the highs and lows, and asking what the changing media landscape means for news media in the future. Plus in the coming months the HARDtalk team will delve into the programme’s extensive archive and showcase the best interviews from the past two decades, as well as content on BBC.com and social media.

    HARDtalk is broadcast on BBC World News, the BBC’s commercial international TV news channel, weekdays at 9 am, 2 pm and 8 pm IST and also on BBC World Service Radio.

  • BAFTA to air on dittoTV! on 13 Feb

    MUMBAI: As the global movie industry’s season for applause and hurrahs begins, the highly anticipated 70th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) are set to hit television screens on 13 February at 9 PM. dittoTV subscribers on the go can watch this much awaited event live on Zee Studio on their smartphones and any other internet enabled devices.

    The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) honor the best of international and British contributions to the film industry and host an annual show to present these awards. Hosted by acclaimed comedian, actor and presenter Stephen Fry, this year’s ceremony is set to take place at London’s famous Royal Albert Hall, with ‘La La Land’ topping the charts with nominations in 11 categories. Apart from this Ryan Gosling-Emma Stone starrer, also leading the nominations are top notch contenders like ‘Arrival’ , ‘Nocturnal Animals’.

    The event also features other top nominations such as ‘Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them’ for Outstanding British Film, an expected deadlock for the Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role between Emily Blunt for her role in ‘The Girl On The Train’ and Emma Stone in ‘La La Land’, and between Jake Gyllenhaal in ‘Nocturnal Animals’ and the heart-throb Ryan Gosling for the Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.

    Looking forward to the event, Z5 Business Head of Digital – India Archana Anand says, “We are very excited to bring the 70th British Academy Film Awards to Zee Studio viewers on our platform dittoTV. Cinema fans across the globe eagerly await this extravagant awards ceremony and are particularly excited this year with the huge favourite ‘La La Land’ leading the nominations. dittoTV subscribers can catch all the glamour, excitement and red carpet moments live as it happens on their internet enabled devices even if they are on the go or don’t have easy access to a TV set.”

    The Awards air on television at 13 February, 9 PM onwards on Zee Studio, and dittoTV subscribers can watch it on their Android or iOS phones or any other internet connected devices. Subscription charge for dittoTV start from INR 20 per month.

  • BAFTA names Krishnendu Majumdar as TV Committee chair

    BAFTA names Krishnendu Majumdar as TV Committee chair

    MUMBAI: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has named the newly elected chairs and deputy chairs of its Sector Committees (Film, Television and Games), who will also sit on the Academy’s Board of Trustees.

     

    Krishnendu Majumdar has been elected as chair of the Television Committee alongside Emma Morgan, who has been elected as deputy chair.

     

    Majumdar is an award-winning producer and director and was trained on the BBC Production Trainee scheme, the ITN News Trainee scheme and the BBC Drama Series Directors Academy. He is the co-founder of an independent production company called Me + You Productions with partner Richard Yee and is developing a slate of factual, comedy and drama projects.

     

    On the other hand, Pippa Harris has been elected as chair of the Film Committee, having held the position of deputy chair for four years. Pippa serves alongside Marc Samuelson, who has been elected as deputy chair.

     

    Harvey Elliott enters the second half of his two-year term as chair of the Games Committee. All Sector Committee chairs and deputy chairs are directors of the Academy, and sit on the Board of Trustees.

     

    Anne Morrison continues as chair of the Academy for the remainder of her two-year term alongside Jane Lush, who was elected to deputy chair earlier this month.

     

    BAFTA chief operating officer Kevin Price said, “I’m delighted to welcome three new members to our Board of Trustees as a result of our recent Sector Committee elections this month. These committees – Film, Television and Games – represent a BAFTA membership of around 7,500 industry professionals and experienced practitioners in the UK and around the world, and they help us, as an Academy, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image, inspire practitioners and benefit the public.”

     

    BAFTA’s Board of Trustees comprises:

    • Chair of the Academy: Anne Morrison

     

    • Deputy chair of the Academy: Jane Lush

     

    • Chair, Film Committee: Pippa Harris

     

    • Deputy Chair, Film Committee: Marc Samuelson

     

    • Chair, Television Committee: Krishnendu Majumdar

     

    • Deputy Chair, Television Committee: Emma Morgan

     

    • Chair, Games Committee: Harvey Elliott

     

    • Chair, Learning & Events Committee: Sara Putt

     

    • Two co-opted Trustees: Medwyn Jones, Samir Shah

     

    Samuelson, Majumdar and Morgan are new Board members in 2015.

     

    BAFTA’s Sector Committees recommend to the Board of Trustees how best to carry out the Academy’s mission in their respective industry sectors, while the Board itself manages the business of the Academy and is the ultimate authority on its affairs.

     

  • BBC One orders new series of BAFTA nominated ‘Count Arthur Strong’

    BBC One orders new series of BAFTA nominated ‘Count Arthur Strong’

    MUMBAI: BBC One has commissioned a third series of comedy Count Arthur Strong.
     
    The BAFTA nominated series launched on BBC Two in 2013. Series two heralded a move to its new home on BBC One where it broadcast at the beginning of this year.
     
    The 7*30 min series is produced by Retort (part of FremantleMedia UK), Komedia Entertainment and Delightful Industries and written by Graham Linehan and the central character’s creator, Steve Delaney.
     
    Executive producers are Jon Rolph for Retort, Richard Daws for Komedia and Gregor Sharp for the BBC, and the series is produced by Richard Boden.
     
    In series three, Arthur still pursues his dreams of stardom no matter how much chaos he causes along the way, with Michael (played by Rory Kinnear) doing his best to limit the damage to the world around them and his own sanity.
     
    Linehan said, ”Very happy to hear that Arthur, Michael and the gang will have more adventures. And we’ve got some crackers lined up for this series.”
     
    Delaney added, ”I’m thrilled, delighted and humbled that BBC One have requested another series of Count Arthur Strong. Where do I sign? Quick, before they change their minds!”
     
    BBC controller, comedy commission Shane Allen said, ”How could we resist bringing back this character comedy masterclass, which blends the joyfully daft with skilfully inventive plotting. Series two really hit its stride and the move to BBC One has brought the audience response we were hoping for. It’s a privilege to be working with these writing and performing talents at the top of their game.”
     
    Retort managing director and executive producer Jon Rolph said, ”It’s a joy and a privilege to be irresistibly drawn into Arthur’s world, and we’re delighted that the BBC One audience think so too.”

    Executive producer Richard Daws from Komedia added, ”It appears Count Arthur is edging ever closer to becoming the national treasure he has always imagined he was.”
    Production and transmission of the show will be in 2016.

  • BAFTA: Redmayne, Moore win top honours; ‘Lunchbox’ loses to Polish film

    BAFTA: Redmayne, Moore win top honours; ‘Lunchbox’ loses to Polish film

    MUMBAI: Held at the Royal Opera House in London on 8 February, 2015, the 68th edition of the annual British Academy of Film and Arts (BAFTA) awards was hosted by Stephen Fry in the presence of a string of international film celebrities.

     

    Eddie Redmayne and Julianne Moore received the top acting honours for their roles in The Theory Of Everything and Still Alice respectively. The American coming-of-age tale Boyhood won a BAFTA for ‘Best Film’ while the award for the ‘outstanding British Film’ went to The Theory Of Everything.

     

    India’s acclaimed movie, The Lunchbox was nominated for the foreign film category. It was competing with Russian drama, Leviathan, Brazilian-British adventure drama thriller film, Trash and Belgian drama Two Days, One Night but eventually Polish-Danish drama movie Ida, was named the winner in the category.

     

    Actress Nimrat Kaur, the leading lady of The Lunchbox looked lovely on the red carpet in a pink Georges Hobeika dress.

     

    Below is the complete list of BAFTA 2015 winners: 

     

    Film: Boyhood, Richard Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland
     

    Director: Boyhood, Richard Linklater
     

    Leading Actor: Eddie Redmayne, The Theory Of Everything
     

    Leading Actress: Julianne Moore, Still Alice
     

    Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
     

    Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
     

    Adapted Screenplay: The Theory Of Everything, Anthony Mccarten
     

    Animated Film: The Lego Movie, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
     

    British Short Animation: The Bigger Picture, Chris Hees, Daisy Jacobs, Jennifer Majka 
     

    British Short Film: Boogaloo And Graham, Brian J. Falconer, Michael Lennox, Ronan Blaney
     

    Cinematography: Birdman, Emmanuel Lubezki
     

    Costume Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Milena Canonero
     

    Documentary: Citizenfour, Laura Poitras
     

    EE Rising Star: Jack O’Connell
     

    Editing:Whiplash, Tom Cross
     

    Film not in the English Language: Ida, Pawel Pawlikowski, Eric Abraham, Piotr Dzieciol, Ewa Puszczynska
     

    Make-Up And Hair: The Grand Budapest Hotel – Frances Hannon
     

    Original Music: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Alexandre Desplat
     

    Original Screenplay: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Wes Anderson
     

    Outstanding British Film: The Theory Of Everything, James Marsh, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony Mccarten
     

    Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director or Producer: Stephen Beresford, David Livingstone,Pride
     

    Production Design: The Grand Budapest Hotel, Adam Stockhausen, Anna Pinnock
     

    Sound: Whiplash, Thomas Curley, Ben Wilkins, Craig Mann
     

    Special Visual Effects: Interstellar, Paul Franklin, Scott Fisher, Andrew Lockley

  • Chinese IPTV company inks 3 year broadcast deal with BAFTA

    Chinese IPTV company inks 3 year broadcast deal with BAFTA

    MUMBAI: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has inked a three year deal with Youku Tudou – China’s leading internet television company. The company will stream the EE British Academy Film Awards on 9 February, 2015 for the very first time, as part of this deal.

     

    Alongside the EE British Academy Film Awards, the BAFTA-Youku Tudou package includes streaming of the British Academy Games Awards, the British Academy Television Awards and the long-running series of on-stage interviews, BAFTA A Life in Pictures. IMG, a global leader in sports, media and fashion, brokered the deal on behalf of BAFTA.

     

    The EE British Academy Film Awards is among the leading international film awards ceremonies and regularly attracts the biggest names in the world to its red carpet, which last year included Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Amy Adams, Judi Dench, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hanks, Steve McQueen, Leonardo Di Caprio, Martin Scorsese, Michael Fassbender, Uma Thurman, Emma Thompson, Cate Blanchett, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Helen Mirren, Oprah Winfrey and BAFTA president HRH Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge.

     

    The nominations for this year’s ceremony were announced earlier this month: The Grand Budapest Hotel received 11 nominations. Birdman and The Theory of Everything were each nominated in 10 categories, The Imitation Game had nine nominations, Boyhood and Whiplash were each nominated five times, Mr. Turner, Nightcrawler and Interstellar received four nominations and Pride received three.

     

    The EE British Academy Film Awards take place on 8 February at The Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden. Stephen Fry will be returning to host this year’s ceremony, which will be broadcast exclusively on BBC One in the UK – preceded by a red carpet show on BBC Three – and in all major territories around the world.

  • Christina Thomas to step down as BAFTA New York CEO

    Christina Thomas to step down as BAFTA New York CEO

    MUMBAI: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in New York announced that Christina Thomas will step down as chief executive on 1 July 2015.

     

    Thomas will remain with the organisation in the newly created position of development consultant, where she will be responsible for expanding the non-profit’s funding resources by overseeing and implementing new approaches to fundraising that will increase revenues to support the strategic direction of the organisation.  

     

    Thomas – a founding member of the New York branch of BAFTA – was appointed the organisation’s first chairman in 1996 and remained in that position until 2006. In 2007 she was appointed to her current role of CEO. Under her leadership membership has grown to over 800 members. During her tenure she established, along with the support of the Board and various committee chairs, new programming strands such as the acclaimed ‘In Conversation’, ‘In Production,’ ‘Brits Who Cracked America’ and ‘The BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program’. As part of BAFTA’s global activity, Thomas was also responsible for overseeing annual events including the New York-based Film Awards Celebrations, the Television Awards Situation Comedy Nominees Party, NYTVF/BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forums and BAFTA Brits to Watch events.  

     

    Thomas said, “I have enjoyed serving as chief executive and I am particularly gratified to have played a role in raising awareness of BAFTA New York and contributing to the shared goals of BAFTA worldwide. I feel that now is the right time to hand over the reins to a new generation to continue to build the organization in New York. Development is an area that I have always enjoyed and now I will be able to devote all my time to this endeavour while supporting the organization’s mission and helping it grow even more.”

     

    BAFTA New York chairman Charles Tremayne added, “Christina has been at the heart of BAFTA New York since it started. With her guidance the organization has grown from a small body of passionate individuals to one which helps position BAFTA as a leading advocate for the best in film and television in the US. This year we are on target to break our record and present over 80 screenings for our members, as well as numerous other professional events, while awarding more scholarships than ever before and attracting the highest membership in our history.”

     

    Prior to BAFTA New York, Thomas was president of the US subsidiary of Primetime Entertainment, Inc. She was also SVP at Producers Group International, where she was responsible for program development, and global co-production and sales activities. Thomas is the founder and CEO of Jigsaw Communications a global finance and independent film distribution consulting agency.

  • AXN welcomes the New Year with best of reality shows and political drama

    AXN welcomes the New Year with best of reality shows and political drama

    MUMBAI: Home to the longest running shows in India, AXN is bringing you the best of International Television this New Year 2015. The channel has a fresh line up of four new shows, fulfilling the promise to keep thrilling and exciting its viewers with – Madam Secretary, Wake Up Call, Top Chef Season 10 and Top Gear Season 21. Starting the year with fast paced cars is Top Gear Season 21 followed by the most spoken about political drama Madam Secretary co-produced by acclaimed actor Morgan Freeman. Emmy Award winning show, Top Chef Seattle with host Padma Lakshmi will be back along with the latest season premiere of Dwayne Johnson’s reality show Wake Up Call.

     

    BAFTA and Emmy award winning series Top Gear, the world best motoring show takes the viewers to amazing locations to test the world’s most powerful and exotic cars. The famous trio of cuttingly funny Jeremy Clarkson, quirky Richard Hammond and contemplative James May makes it hugely entertaining and visually fantastic. Started on Jan 3rd, watch it for the love of automobile and for the love of intelligent entertainment, every Saturday & Sunday at 8:30 pm on AXN India.

     

    Adding to The Not So Ordinary Weekend is the much awaited People’s Choice Award Nominee for New TV Series, Madam Secretary. With this show AXN aims to bring the best of the latest American Television to the Indian viewers. Co-Produced by Oscar winning actor Morgan Freeman, the show is a political drama rooted in White House diplomacy. Tea Leoni portrays the role of an unusual politician Elizabeth Faulkner Mc Cord, a former CIA analyst turned college professor promoted suddenly to the position of United States Secretary of State under strange circumstances. In the US, Madam Secretary ranks as Sunday’s #1 scripted broadcast and #4 new series averaging 13.53 million viewers. Witness the drama unfold from Jan 10th every Saturday at 11 pm on AXN India.

     

    The classic and famous Emmy winner cult cookery show Top Chef Seattle Season 10 with the lovely Padma Lakshmi is back to set our taste buds to new gastronomic delicacies with 21 professional chefs. The master of all cookery shows has the judges- Tom Colicchio, Emeril Lagasse, Wolfgang Puck, Gail Simmons and Hugh Acheson, all set to evaluate the contestants on some ordinary as well as not so ordinary culinary expertise like knife skills and creating a breakfast on a stick! The thrilling quick fire challenges are back in vogue on Top Chef, starting Jan 26th, Monday to Thursday at 8pm.

     

    A reality show like no other! Dwayne Johnson is back with Season 2 of The Hero – Wake Up Call.The former wrestler and Hollywood actor would be seen lending a helping hand to people who are facing enormous challenges in their lives whether they are dead beat dads, sports team with no team spirit or business owners struggling to survive. Wake up Call produced and hosted by Dwayne Johnson will bring in Rock style motivation on the TV screen, with the motto- when life gives you lemons, crush them! Catch him in all his glory with his team of contestants from Jan 31st every Saturday & Sunday at 9pm.

     

    Commenting on the onset of 2015, Saurabh Yagnik, Executive Vice-president and Business Head, Sony PIX & AXN India said “AXN’s new show line up is all about bringing the best of American TV to Indian television. Dwayne Johnson’s new show Wake Up Call could not have been launched at a better time, the show resonates with the way India feels right now- building a new future. We are delighted to premiere Madam Secretary, which is a welcoming addition to our already wide programming spectrum, a political drama produced by Morgan freeman and Lori McCreary. The channel has been home to Top Gear and Top Chef for years. Top Gear is the best show on automobile, meant for both who love cars and who don’t. We work dedicatedly to bring wide variety of shows and genres and these new shows are a step in the same direction, a New Year gift to our viewers. With world’s best reality shows and drama AXN is definitely a must watch destination for all age groups.”

     

    Drive in to the fast lane with Top Gear which premiered on 3rd January, Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 pm. Watch the captivating political drama unfolding on Madam Secretary starting 10th January, Saturday at 11 pm. Get the kitchen set for new recipes from Top Chef Seattle starting 26th January, Monday to Thursday at 8 pm. Last but not the least, a reality show with a difference Wake Up Call sees all-rounder Dwayne Johnson make a difference in the lives of the commoners premiering on 31st January, Saturday and Sunday at 9 pm only on AXN.

    Later during the year 2015, Not so ordinary weekend would be new launching three shows- Golden Globe nominated legal procedural series Ray Donovan starring Wolverine famed Liev Schreiber. Home to singing reality show- The Voice, Season 8 will see the return of the global singing sensation Christina Aguilera making the audiences ask for more! The daily dose of action on the channel ups the ante for the adrenaline lovers with French- Canadian action adventure crime series Transporter Season 2 and the internationally acclaimed series 24. The year 2015 assures to be an exhilarating year for AXN fans.

  • 2014 BAFTA: Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo among honourees

    2014 BAFTA: Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo among honourees

    MUMBAI: Robert Downey Jr, Mark Ruffalo, Emma Watson, Judi Dench and director Mike Leigh were announced as this year’s honourees for the BAFTA Los Angeles Jaguar Britannia Awards.

     

    Hosted by Rob Brydon, the award ceremony will take place on 30 October and air on BBC America on 2 November.

     

    The recipients are chosen by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles board of directors.

     

    The Iron Man star is this year’s recipient of the ‘Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film’. Prior winners include Warren Beatty and Tom Hanks. His latest movie The Judge with Robert Duvall is slated to release on 10 October.

     

    The Emmy Nominee Mark Ruffalo, is being honored with the ‘Britannia Humanitarian Award’ for his work with Water Defense. Ruffalo co-founded a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping waterways and drinking water sources free from contamination and will be seen in November in Foxcatche. Prior winners include Idris Elba and Don Cheadle.

     

    British director Mike Leigh, whose latest film Mr. Turner opens in December, will receive the ‘John Schlesinger Award for British Artist of the Year’. This honour pays tribute to a British artist “whose outstanding performances in a year have demonstrated the high quality of their craftsmanship. “

     

    While the Harry Potter star Emma Watson is the recipient of the ‘Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year’. Oscar-winning actress Judi Dench will be honoured with the ‘Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution.’

     

    The Britannia Awards are BAFTA Los Angeles’ highest accolade, a celebration of achievements honoring individuals and companies that have dedicated their careers to advancing the entertainment arts.

  • Zee studio gears up to captivate the audience with Brave!

    Zee studio gears up to captivate the audience with Brave!

    MUMBAI: This month Zee Studio sets the screen on fire with heart thumping, fire igniting emotion as Brave; The American animated fantasy comes to life. Released in 2012 the make-believe world of Brave is set in Scottish Highlands, painting the adventures of Princess Merida (protagonist). Living the life of a rebel, her most prized possessions are a bow, arrow and most importantly freedom. But defiance leads her to downfall when the princess accidentally transforms her mother into a bear. Merida soon realizes the graveness of the situation and ventures off to undo her mom’s spell.

     

    Zee Studio takes its animation movie buffs on a thrilling voyage as witches and demons come alive on Indian Television! Brave has won titles such as the Academy Award for Best Animated Film, Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film and BAFTA – and is surely on a mission to thrill yet again. The channel believes in showcasing the best films and with this month’s Movie of the Month: Brave, the upcoming weekend already seems to be a much awaited one!

     

    Journey into the adventurous life of Princess Merida as Brave:  THE ONE movie you must watch takes center stage! -Sunday, 22nd June exclusively on Zee Studio-