BAFTA New York Launches "In Conversation" a Candid New Interview Series Featuring Leading British Talent, in Partnership With The Standard

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts New York, (www.bafta.org/newyork/) announced "In Conversation," a new exclusive interview series that explores the career achievements and recollections of an array of British actors, directors, screenwriters, and practitioners in all areas of film and television. "In Conversation" is in partnership with The Standard.  

The first "In Conversation" will feature Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock, Star Trek Into Darkness) on Thursday, February 13, 2014 and will be moderated by The Hollywood Reporter's Scott Feinberg.  Cumberbatch will discuss live and in an intimate setting, his remarkable career on stage, television, and the big screen.  The series will launch at The Standard High Line as part of the "Standard Talks" program, a series of conversations and talks that take place across all The Standard Hotels in New York, Los Angeles and Miami.  Future events will occur at a variety of Standard locations. "In Conversation with Benedict Cumberbatch" is sponsored by British Airways.

Cumberbatch, who recently won the National TV Award, is a Golden Globe nominee and a four-time BAFTA nominee, is one of the most sought-after actors working today.  He has received worldwide acclaim and numerous accolades for his starring role in Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss's Sherlock, the stunning TV adaption of the book by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Cumberbatch also recently starred in the BBC/HBO drama Parade's End, earning an Emmy nomination for best actor. Last year, he played the role of the dragon Smaug and The Necromancer in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit and the villain in J. J. Abrams's Star Trek Into Darkness. Currently, Cumberbatch is featured as Julian Assange in The Fifth Estate, "Little Charles" Aiken in August: Osage County alongside Meryl Streep, and William Ford in 12 Years a Slave, directed by Steve McQueen.

"BAFTA is all about celebrating the best in film and television, especially here in New York where Britain meets America. Our new series of talks will really explore how actors and directors grow off the different influences from both sides of the Atlantic," said BAFTA New York Chairman Charles Tremayne.

"In Conversation will provide guests with an in-depth, close-up look at some of our most renowned British filmmakers," said Luke Parker Bowles, Chairman of Film and Events for BAFTA New York. "We are honored and blessed to launch our series of evenings by recognizing and saluting such an extraordinary talent as Benedict and look forward to bringing future conversations to select locales across the country." 

"We are thrilled to be partnering with BAFTA New York on such a dynamic conversation series," said Lucy McIntyre, Head of Marketing for Andre Balazs Hotels.  "The film and entertainment industry has always been at the core of The Standard's community and this provides a wonderful opportunity to support extraordinary talent from Britain. I look forward to kicking off the series with the brilliant Benedict Cumberbatch."

"I am thrilled to be kick-starting this series of informal conversations with British talent for BAFTA New York and The Standard team," said Benedict Cumberbatch.  "The association with BAFTA is a great honor.  And Manhattan, a city I dearly love, is an inspiring location.  I think it's going to be great fun and a terrific way to explore film and television and those who make it.  While the focus is on British talent; to be in this most iconic of cities is a real marker of the ongoing synergy of our cultures and artists in the traffic of what we do between the US and Britain.  And, hopefully it will be fun.  Oh. I said that already... That's guaranteed then!"

Join the conversation at #BAFTANYTalk on Twitter (Www.twitter.com/baftany) and on Facebook (Www.facebook.com/baftany).

About Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch studied drama at Manchester University before training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Early TV roles included Tipping the Velvet, Silent Witness and The Last Enemy. However, it was his portrayal of Stephen Hawking in the BBC drama Hawking that brought him international renown and earned him his first BAFTA nomination. His second came in 2010 for his portrayal of Bernard in the BBC adaptation of Small Island.

Cumberbatch's film work includes Starter for 10, Amazing Grace, The Other Boleyn Girl, and the role of the dastardly Paul Marshall in Joe Wright's Oscar-nominated Atonement.

On the stage, Cumberbatch has played roles including Lyngstrand in Trevor Nunn's production of The Lady from the Sea, George in Tennessee Williams's Period of Adjustment, and Tesman in Richard Eyre's Hedda Gabler, for which he received Laurence Olivier and Ian Charleston Award nominations. In 2010, he took the role of David Scott-Fowler in Thea Sharrock's National Theatre Award–winning Rattigan revival, After the Dance.

In 2011, Cumberbatch returned to the National Theatre, alternately playing the roles of the Creature and Dr. Frankenstein in Danny Boyle's production of Frankenstein, for which he earned an Olivier Award and an Evening Standard Award for Best Actor.

About The Standard
Andre Balazs's collection of Standard hotels, spa, restaurants and nightlife establishments are located in Hollywood, Downtown LA, Miami and New York. The brand revolutionized the concept of affordable, innovative hospitality for the international, creative tribe. Each Standard, while highly location specific, share a commitment to providing an experience that is personal, distinct, dynamic and fun. The Standard is acclaimed for its support and curation of a broad diversity of cultural programming throughout its venues, all housed via its content platform, Standard Culture.com.  Www.standardhotels.com www.standardculture.com  

About British Airways
British Airways is the UK's largest international scheduled airline.  It is one of the world's leading global premium airlines and its principal place of business is London with significant presence at Heathrow, Gatwick and London City Airports.

British Airways is a full service airline offering a range of flights to UK domestic, shorthaul and longhaul destinations.  British Airways is investing more than £5bn in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground.

In 2010 British Airways formed a joint business with American Airlines and Iberia which provides customers with greater access to discounted fares, more convenient connections and better access to a global network of more than 500 destinations.

Whether customers are in the air or on the ground, British Airways takes pride in providing a full service experience.  More information is available at www.ba.com

ABOUT BAFTA New York
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts represents 6500 industry professionals working in film, television, and games worldwide. The organization supports, develops, and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners, and benefiting the public.

BAFTA New York (www.bafta.org/newyork/) carries the Academy's mission forward on the Atlantic coast through its commitment to the film, television and documentary communities.

BAFTA New York's annual calendar includes a diverse lineup of programs and events, with over seventy prerelease film screenings, talks with talent, masterclasses, Q&As, and panels focusing on industry trends in film, television and multimedia. Educational outreach is aimed at underserved youth in New York City, and also includes the BAFTA New York Media Studies Scholarship Program, which was established to support students pursuing media studies at undergraduate and graduate level institutions within the New York City area.

Follow BAFTA New York on Twitter @BAFTANY (Www.twitter.com/baftany) and on Facebook  (Www.facebook.com/baftany).

Media Contact:

For BAFTA New York:
Marlea Willis
Marlea Willis Communications, Inc.
[email protected] / 212.485.9810

SOURCE BAFTA New York

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