In her first letter to members, incoming BAFTA president Sara Putt noted a story that continued to make headlines after it was announced this weekend: the allegations against Russell Brand.
From a joint study by The times, The Sunday times And Channel 4 messagesThe comedian, actor and TV host was the subject of four women accusing him of rape, sexual assault and emotional abuse between 2006 and 2013, all of which he has vehemently denied.
“This weekend’s news has once again raised serious questions about the culture of the screen industry and what still needs to change,” wrote Putt, who was formally unveiled as the new chairman of BAFTA in June and after a three-year term Krishnendu Majumdar took over.
Putt added that the British Academy “supported the establishment of CIISA, an independent standards authority for those working in the creative industries.”
The CIISA, or Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, is a proposed body that has been under development since 2021 in the wake of several other industry scandals involving sexual misconduct and bullying. Initiated and funded by Time’s Up UK with former BFI director Jen Smith as interim CEO, the CIISA would be an independent industry body where individuals could not only anonymously raise concerns about conduct, but also seek mediation and advice. , for dispute resolution and investigations.
In a statement on Monday, the CIISA said it was now in “advanced discussions” with the UK’s creative industries and was “currently developing services and structures” as it prepared to go live.
“The creative industries are one of the few sectors that do not have an independent venue to confidentially raise concerns about conduct,” the report said. “This weekend’s news further underlines the need for this critical intervention.”
In her letter, Putt noted that BAFTA had now made it mandatory for British productions to have a bullying and harassment policy in place in order to compete in the film, TV and games awards.
