Four photographers commissioned to cover backstage action at prestigious BAFTA ceremony on 14 February
Leica UK and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) have announced that all backstage reportage and portraiture at this year’s EE British Academy Film Awards will be captured exclusively by photographers using Leica camera equipment.
Roaming backstage photography documenting the winners and citation readers will be shot by Rich Hardcastle using the Leica SL, a brand new mirrorless system camera that performs particularly well in low light. The candid imagery captured by Hardcastle will be published within a range of UK and US magazines through Rex/Shutterstock.
Focusing on the glamorous nominees’ party and excitement of the auditorium atmosphere will be Greg Williams, recipient of BAFTA’s inaugural Photography Commission, documenting the surprise and delight of the winners as they pass through the press areas. Images will be featured directly on Instagram (@BAFTA), on BAFTA’s website and on VanityFair.com. Equipment used by Williams includes the new Leica S (Typ 007) medium format system, and the full-frame Leica Q.
Sarah M Lee, who recently exhibited her behind-the-scenes work from last year’s BAFTAs at Leica’s Mayfair studio gallery, has once again been assigned to the roaming reportage brief for BAFTA, as well as placement in the Guardian newspaper main pages for next day press. Lee shoots with the Leica M (Typ 240) rangefinder camera, a particular favourite among street and documentary photographers, thanks to its quiet shutter and discreet design.
Commissioned to cover the formal backstage portraiture area within BAFTA’s boutique studio is New York-based British photographer, Gavin Bond, delivering official portraits of the winning actors and citation readers using the professional Leica S-System. Bond’s portraits will be specially used within BAFTA’s archive and exhibition programming, and a selection will appear in GQ magazine as a showcase of the awards night later in the year.
Janette Dalley, Photography Director, BAFTA, said, “It is a massive coup for BAFTA to be able to fully realise its backstage photography with such an iconic brand. These areas are at best ‘challenging’ for any photographer, and with the added time pressure involved on awards night, having the best possible start is paramount. I very much look forward to seeing the results.”
The full list of nominations for the EE British Academy Film Awards 2016 can be seen at: http://www.bafta.org/film/awards/film-awards-nominees-in-2016
