BAFTA has announced exciting new changes to its annual TV Awards and TV Craft Awards. According to The Hollywood Reporter, three new categories will be introduced for the first time to recognize outstanding children’s television shows and the talented individuals behind them.
“Next year will see three new categories celebrating children’s television and the talented people who bring the genre to life on and off screen. From the iconic characters loved by families around the world, to the developmental and educational theory that underpins high-quality children’s programming, the genre has sparked endless joy and creativity in the hearts and minds of younger viewers,” said the British Academy.
New categories include the Children’s Scripted Award, which recognizes scripted shows such as dramas and comedies, both live-action and animated. The Children’s Non-Scripted Award will focus on factual programming, including documentaries, news and factual entertainment. The Children’s Craft Team Award will also celebrate behind-the-scenes teams who work on scripted and unscripted children’s shows.
“All three categories will focus on celebrating under-16 television,” BAFTA said. The announcement follows the recent creation of a Children’s and Family Film Award, which will premiere at next year’s EE BAFTA Film Awards, and a Family Award at the BAFTA Games Awards. BAFTA also added that the five categories were developed with input from industry experts and the newly formed Young BAFTA Advisory Group, which was created to guide BAFTA’s year-round programs for children and young people, as well as to support creatives in the children’s screen industry. . , according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“All five categories have been developed in consultation with industry peers and the recently formed cross-industry Young BAFTA Advisory Group, which was created to guide BAFTA’s year-round programs for children and young people, as well as its ongoing support for creatives and practitioners. . the children’s screen industry,” the academy said. Sara Putt, chair of BAFTA, said: “Film, games and television have a magical, unique and essential place in our culture, and the children’s stories created for our screens are so often developed with immense skill, warmth and creativity.”
Andrew Miller, Chair of the Young BAFTA Advisory Group and BAFTA Trustee, added: “The children’s screen industry is pioneering diverse and educational storytelling and is an important and essential source of talent… There are many creatives and practitioners working on and off screen across the globe . the sector owes its career to children’s media, including me.” The new BAFTA award categories aim to highlight the importance of children’s programming in shaping young minds and celebrate the people who bring these stories to life.
