On January 8, 2024, BAFTA confirmed the appointment of NYWIFT Board Member Joyce Pierpoline as Chair of BAFTA North America’s Board of Directors, succeeding Kathryn Busby.
Joyce Pierpoline is an award-winning film producer with credits including Mediha, winner of the Grand Jury Prize at DOC NYC 2023, Angelica (2016), and Sundance-winning cult classic, Teeth (2007). She is founder of Pierpoline Films based in New York and Paris, serves as chair of BAFTA North America’s Film Committee, and is co-founder of the Producers Guild of America’s Women’s Impact Network, which promotes gender equality in the industry. She also serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors of New York Women in Film & Television.
Speaking of her appointment, Joyce Pierpoline said: “I am delighted to take over the role of Chair of BAFTA North America from Kathryn, who carried out such brilliant work during her tenure. I’m looking forward to the future of BAFTA North America and will continue working with my colleagues on the board to ensure that BAFTA’s charitable work reflects the brilliance of our region’s films, games and television industries.”
Sara Putt, BAFTA Chair said “I am thrilled to begin working with Joyce. Collaboration is essential to the success of BAFTA’s charitable work both here in the UK and America and I am excited to continue working with the BAFTA North America Board to further support our industries.”
The BAFTA North America Board will also have a new member – David Linde — CEO of Participant, the leading global media company dedicated to entertainment that harnesses the collective power of art and activism. Previously he was the CEO and owner of Lava Bear Films, chairman of Universal Pictures as well as cofounder of acclaimed specialty film studio Focus Features, formed from Universal’s acquisition of the acclaimed independent production company Good Machine, of which he was a partner.
BAFTA is an arts charity whose global mission is to inspire, support and celebrate across film, games and television, delivering greater benefits to its membership, programme participants and audiences wherever they are. BAFTA’s presence in North America began with the foundation of BAFTA Los Angeles in 1987, followed by BAFTA New York in 1996; in August 2021, the organisation expanded its ambitions by combining its Los Angeles and New York entities into a unified and larger North America entity, helping increase its impact across the continent of its major events and activities including the BAFTA Tea Parties, its programme of screenings, Q&As and talent initiatives, and its year-round presentations of Special Awards, which honoured Shonda Rhimes in 2023. BAFTA’s commitment to supporting career starters in North America includes School and Mentorship Programs, Financial Aid, Breakthrough USA, a Newcomers Program, and the annual Yugo BAFTA Student Awards.
Continuing their BAFTA North America Executive Board terms are: actor Elliot Knight as Deputy Chair, Betsy Rodgers (business & legal affairs executive, Global Content Distribution) as Secretary, and Josephine Coyle (director of post-production finance, Disney) as Treasurer.
Alongside them, the board members continuing in their roles are Alexis Alexanian (film and television producer), Tara Grace (executive/producer), Sally Habbershaw (EVP of the Americas for All3 Media), Dame Pippa Harris (film and TV producer), Nyasha Hatendi (actor/writer/director), Tracy Ifeachor (actor and entrepreneur), Alexa Jago (producer and president of New Horizon Pictures), Jon Katz (film and television producer, founder of Civilian 7 Entertainment), Frank Marshall (producer and director), Marc Samuelson (founder of Route 24 Ltd) and Jonathan Sehring (co-founder & partner, Sideshow Pictures).
Further information about BAFTA’s North America activity and Board can be found here.
Images are available here.
