Bedford student is awarded BAFTA scholarship

A student from Bedford has been awarded £10,000 by BAFTA and the Kirsh Foundation to study at the National Film and Television School.

Hayder Rothschild Hoozeer is one of 28 global recipients of its 2020/21 scholarships programme, receiving a total of more than £190,000 in financial aid.

The money will help towards his MA in producing at the National Film and Television School. As a BAFTA scholar, Hayder will also receive free access to BAFTA online events and resources as well as one-to-one mentoring from BAFTA award winners, nominees and members.

Hayder said: “I am honoured and eternally grateful to be awarded the Kirsh scholarship. Hearing that BAFTA will support me is the stuff dreams are made of.

"As a child, throwing the word BAFTA around was an imaginative game to play; now having the opportunity to start a relationship with BAFTA and be part of its prestigious community as a BAFTA Scholar is incredibly humbling.

"Being able to pursue the MA Producing course at the NFTS with the BAFTA Kirsh Scholarship is the next integral step towards achieving my aspirations of contributing to British cinema."

Amanda Berry OBE, chief executive at BAFTA, said: “Our charitable activity sits at the heart of everything we do. For the last 18 years, BAFTA Scholarships have played a vital role in providing financial support for students who would not otherwise be able to further their education in film, games or television.”