- Share this article on Facebook
- Share this article on Twitter
- Share this article on Flipboard
- Share this article on Email
- Show additional share options
- Share this article on Linkedin
- Share this article on Pinit
- Share this article on Reddit
- Share this article on Tumblr
- Share this article on Whatsapp
- Share this article on Print
- Share this article on Comment
LONDON – The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) will present a special award to Hong Kong cinema legend Run Run Shaw.
The honor for the founder of the globally recognized Shaw Studios is given to celebrate his contribution to cinema and is part of the British Academy’s first-ever week of BAFTA events in Hong Kong. At 106, he is the oldest recipient of a BAFTA award, the organization said.
The Shaw Brothers produced over 1,000 films, acquired and developed cinemas around the world and invested in a number of co-productions, including Blade Runner, directed by Ridley Scott.
Darren Shaw, great nephew of Run Run Shaw, will collect the award on the honoree’s behalf at an Academy Circle event for local supporters of BAFTA’s charitable mission in Asia at The Peninsula Hong Kong hotel on Tuesday night.
BAFTA CEO Amanda Berry said: “It is wonderful that, at a time when we are supporting the future of our industries through cross-cultural collaboration, we can also celebrate our historic links with the region through Sir Run Run Shaw, whose own generous donation in the late 1970s helped BAFTA grow into the organization it is today. At the time, BAFTA paid tribute to his generosity by naming a theater at our London headquarters in his honor, which still bears his name.”
BAFTA also announced new scholarships for U.K. nationals and Hong Kong residents. The BAFTA Scholarship Program in Hong Kong is designed to support U.K.-Asia cross-cultural exchange. A minimum of four scholarships will be available.
Two will offer British nationals a chance to study a postgraduate course in film, television or games in Hong Kong and two for permanent residents of Hong Kong to study at an industry-recognized U.K. institution.
“We’re getting feedback from the industry, to know what the industry wants. We want to reach out to the public and nurture the next generation of students,” Berry said.
Successful applicants of the Hong Kong scholarship will be provided with up to $16,300 (£10,000) toward one year’s course fees and a $16,300 (£10,000) bursary for living expenses, the support of an industry mentor, and free access to BAFTA events. Those traveling from Hong Kong to the U.K. will receive the same benefits as U.K. scholarship recipients, but with up to $33,000 (£20,000) towards one year’s course fees.
Applications will be accepted starting in the spring.
Berry said: “We are excited to be expanding our successful scholarship program to Hong Kong residents, and to be giving U.K. nationals the chance to learn from their colleagues in Asia.”
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day