BAFTA Announces First Ever 'Theatrical' Release for Nominated Short Films

BAFTA Announces First Ever 'Theatrical' Release for Nominated Short Films
Live action and animated shorts will screen in cinemas across the UK in partnership with the Independent Cinema Office

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today announced that a package of nominated live action and animated shorts from this year's EE British Academy Film Awards will screen in UK cinemas from April 2013. The nominated filmmakers will attend selected screenings to share their insights into the filmmaking process.

Working closely with specialist distributor the Independent Cinema Office (ICO), this is The First Time that BAFTA has organised a theatrical release, and marks a significant development in the way that BAFTA champions British-based talent.

BAFTA Shorts 2013 will open on Friday 12 April at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, followed by a UK-wide roll-out. All theatrical bookings are being handled by the ICO ( www.independentcinemaoffice.org.uk ).

BAFTA Guru, BAFTA's online learning portal, will include clips from the films and further information about the nominees ( http://guru.bafta.org/shorts ). The filmmakers will also be blogging on BAFTA Guru about their experiences in the run up to the EE British Academy Film Awards.

Tim Hunter, Head of Learning and Events at BAFTA, said:

"This partnership between BAFTA and the Independent Cinema Office is an important development of BAFTA's role as a champion of talent - in particular new talent. It's all too rare that short films get a theatrical outing on the big screen outside of festivals, and this release is an opportunity for audiences not only to appreciate the art form of short filmmaking in and of itself, but also to get to know filmmakers whose star is in the ascendant."

Lisa Bryer, BAFTA-winning producer and Chair of the Short Film Jury, said:

"This year I was struck by the diversity and the quality of the entrants, and especially by the talent displayed by the final nominated shorts. Once again, I was honoured to be the Chair of such a fantastic jury for this important award."

For a list of all the nominated short films visit: http://bit.ly/BAFTAShorts2013.

Films participating in the BAFTA Shorts 2013 theatrical release:

SHORT ANIMATION
Here to Fall - Kris Kelly, Evelyn McGrath
I'm Fine Thanks - Eamonn O'Neill
The Making of Longbird - Will Anderson, Ainslie Henderson

SHORT FILM
The Curse - Fyzal Boulifa, Gavin Humphries
Good Night - Muriel d'Ansembourg, Eva Sigurdardottir
Swimmer - Lynne Ramsay, Peter Carlton, Diarmid Scrimshaw
Tumult - Johnny Barrington, Rhianna Andrews

About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world's most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. For further information, visit www.bafta.org, and to access the best creative minds in film, TV and games production visit www.bafta.org/guru.

About ICO

The Independent Cinema Office (ICO) is the national support organisation for independent exhibitors of all kinds including cinemas, film festivals and film societies.

ICO act as programming advisors, distributors, consultants, development agents, and providers of training and other services. They have spent almost a decade developing successful models in this sector, building capacity to bring a wider range of films to a wider range of audiences.

ICO have worked in partnership with organisations such as the FDA, First Light, BAFTA, Europa Cinemas, The Guardian Culture Network, Cineworld, Frieze, and the Tate. Their training programmes include speakers from organisations as diverse as the Royal Opera House, Radio 4's Front Row, the Berlinale and Warner Brothers.