BAFTA LA Renames Britannia Award

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles® (BAFTA Los Angeles) announced today that it will rename its Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment in honor of Albert R. "Cubby" Broccoli, pioneering producer of the James Bond franchise. The first Cubby Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment will be presented to Academy Award winner John Lasseter at the 2011 BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards on Wednesday, November 30 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

"Cubby Broccoli was the Britannia's very first honoree when the awards were originated over 20 years ago," says Nigel Lythgoe, Chairman of BAFTA Los Angeles. "By creating a global phenomenon with the longest-running film series in cinema history, Cubby's legacy exemplifies what the Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution stands for. We are grateful to Michael G Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and the Broccoli Foundation for their generous support, and are delighted to present this award in Cubby's honor."

"It's quite possible that there would be no BAFTA Los Angeles without Cubby Broccoli," adds Marion Rosenberg OBE, Co-founder of BAFTA Los Angeles. "He was our first and most enthusiastic sponsor when we were taking baby steps towards the establishment of the Academy, and without him we may never have become the vital and flourishing organization we are today. We owe him and The Broccoli Foundation a huge debt of thanks."

Says Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, "With the naming of the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment, on behalf of the Albert and Dana Broccoli Foundation, we are thrilled to be able to celebrate our long term association with BAFTA Los Angeles and Cubby's commitment and support of the organization, especially in its early years. We are delighted that John Lasseter, whose brilliant Pixar movies have entertained so many millions of people around the world, will be the recipient of this newly named award."

The Britannia Awards are BAFTA Los Angeles' highest accolade, a celebration of achievements honoring individuals and companies that have dedicated their careers or corporate missions to advancing the entertainment arts. Presented at an annual gala dinner, proceeds from the ceremony support BAFTA Los Angeles' ongoing education, scholarship, community outreach and archival projects.

The 2011 honorees are Warren Beatty (Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film), Helena Bonham Carter (Britannia Award for British Artist of the Year), John Lasseter (Cubby Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Filmed Entertainment), Ben Stiller (Charlie Chaplin Britannia Award for Excellence in Comedy), and David Yates (John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing).

Emmy nominated and Tony winning actor Alan Cumming will serve as Master of Ceremonies.

The BAFTA Los Angeles Britannia Awards will air on TV Guide Network on Sunday, December 4.

Since the Britannia awards were first created in1989, awards have been given to Sir Michael Caine, Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, Clint Eastwood, Colin Firth, Tom Hanks, Dustin Hoffman, Anthony Hopkins, the late Stanley Kubrick (in whose name an award is now given), George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Dame Elizabeth Taylor, Chris Nolan, Emily Blunt, Sean Penn, Dame Helen Mirren, Kate Winslet and Denzel Washington.

THE BROCCOLI FOUNDATION
The DANA AND ALBERT R. BROCCOLI CHARITABLE FOUNDATION was founded in 1980 to support and promote innovative health, educational and arts programs that seek to benefit and enrich people's lives. The Foundation pursues its aims by providing grants, chairs and scholarships.

CUBBY BROCCOLI
Albert R. ‘Cubby' Broccoli (1909-1996) was the driving force behind bringing James Bond to the big screen. Born into an Italian-American family, Broccoli's early career in Hollywood started as an assistant director on THE OUTLAW, directed by Howard Hughes. In 1952, Broccoli started his producing career when he came to England and launched Warwick Films with Irving Allen. Broccoli's interest in Ian Fleming's "Bond" stories, led him to Canadian producer, Harry Saltzman. Together they formed EON Productions and in 1962 produced the first James Bond film, DR NO. When Harry Saltzman sold his share to United Artists in 1977, Broccoli continued as the "man behind Bond," producing a further seven films before passing the legacy on to his stepson Michael G. Wilson and daughter, Barbara Broccoli.

Michael G. Wilson - PRODUCER
Michael G. Wilson began his producing career in 1974 working with Cubby on THE SPY WHO LOVED ME and they co-produced the next six films together, five of which he co-wrote. He then went on to produce the hugely successful GOLDENEYE with his sister Barbara Broccoli, followed by the next five 007 releases. Together they are producing the twenty-third Bond adventure, starring Daniel Craig. Michael was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in Her Majesty the Queen's New Year Honours List 2008.

Barbara Broccoli - PRODUCER
Barbara Broccoli has worked in the production and casting departments at EON Productions for many years. Together with her brother Michael G. Wilson, she produced the last five Bond films, and is currently in pre-production on Bond 23. Barbara was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in Her Majesty the Queen's New Years Honours list 2008.

BAFTA Los Angeles
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles is the only Anglo-American professional organization founded to promote and advance original work in film, television and interactive media. BAFTA Los Angeles serves as the bridge between the Hollywood and British production and entertainment business communities, and provides exclusive access to screenings, Q&As with creative talent, produces seminars with leading UK film and television executives and the Heritage Archive, featuring broadcast-quality interviews with distinguished British members of the film and television industries, giving life to the preservation of the UK film industry for future generations.

Maintaining a long tradition of recognizing the finest filmmaking and television talent, BAFTA Los Angeles hosts a series of events, including the prestigious Britannia Awards, the Awards Season Film and Television Tea Parties in January and September and the annual GArden Party.

In July, 2011, BAFTA presented the "Brits to Watch" event in Los Angeles which was attended by BAFTA's President, HRH The Duke of Cambridge and HRH The Duchess of Cambridge. The star-studded evening celebrated the incredible depth and range of great British talent emerging in film, television and video games.

A commitment to professional and community education is at the heart of the Academy's charitable remit. BAFTA Los Angeles hosts the Student Film Awards and has an active Scholarship Program offering financial support and mentorship to UK students studying in the U.S. The Academy created The Inner City Cinema, a screening program providing free screenings of theatrical films to inner city areas not served by theatres. The success of Inner City Cinema has led to further free screening programs extended to multiple inner city parks through the Academy's work with both the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (Parks After Dark) and The City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks (Teen Summer Camps). Collaborating with Washington Prep's Drama Department, members of the Academy filmed a student production of Romeo and Juliet, which is currently being turned into the documentary "Shakespeare in The Hood."

For more information on the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Los Angeles, visit www.baftala.org

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