Spring in Los Angeles may feel distinctly British this year, where BritWeek 2008 will be in full force between April 24, 2008 – May 10, 2008.
Created by 19 Entertainment President and American Idol Exec Producer Nigel Lythgoe, BritWeek 2008 promises to celebrate the major investments and strong influences that the Brits have had on the entertainment industries in L.A. Lythgoe believes the British influence on Hollywood entertainment has been tremendous. “From the beginning with Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel, to today with Simon Cowell and David Beckham, the Brits have firmly cemented their footprints in Hollywood over the past half of a century. We add marvelous colour to both the entertainment community and the city, and we are here to stay.”
Bob Pierce, British Consul General in Los Angeles, says "The Brits are such a large part of the development of Los Angeles – and have been for well over fifty years. From William Mulholland who established the city’s water supply in the early 20th century and Colonel Griffith J. Griffith who built two of Los Angeles’ treasures: The Griffith Observatory and Griffith Park to those that entertain Americans in film, television, music, fashion, and sports. We have been more than visitors, we are a part of the fabric of Los Angeles."
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa states:“I am delighted to welcome the launch of BritWeek 2008, celebrating the rich relationship between Britain and the City of Los Angeles. We are proud of our close ties with the United Kingdom, in trade, business, culture and tourism, and it is my goal that we strengthen these links even further.”
The full BritWeek 2008 schedule of events include*:
Thursday, April 24: Champagne Launch of BritWeek at the Residence 50th Anniversary (Invite Only)
Saturday, April 26: Official 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Consulate Residence (Invite Only)
Thursday, May 1: BAFTA/LA British Comedy Festival Presented by British Airways at the Four Seasons; For more detailed info on the festival read here…
Friday, May 2: David Lean 100th Birthday Film Retrospective at the Egyptian Theatre hosted by David Thomson
Saturday, May 3: The British in Hollywood from Chaplin to present day (1910 to 2008) hosted by Michael York
Sunday, May 4: Duran Duran Concert at the Nokia Theatre
Saturday, May 10: British Celebrity Soccer Match Hosted by Los Angeles Galaxy at the Home Depot Center
* Between April 4, 2008 – April 26, 2008, the Festival of British Directors will be at LACMA in honor of BritWeek 2008. In addition, from May 7, 2008 – May 15, 2008, there will be a David Lean Festival at the Aero. Also taking place will be a “Brit Walk,” which will bring together British luxury goods and fashion retailers.
For more information on these screenings or on the various events taking place during BritWeek, visit www.britweek.org.
For more details on the screenings, please visit www.britweek.org
Bob Pierce and Nigel Lythgoe will be the steering committee for BritWeek 2008.
BritWeek 2008’s sponsors are 19 Entertainment, Virgin Megastore, Virgin Atlantic, British American Business Council, British Airways, UK Trade & Investment, Diageo, BAFTA/LA, Rolls Royce/MINIUSA, BBC, HBO, Air New Zealand, UK Film Council US, The Body Shop, and The Douris Corporation.
About Nigel Lythgoe
Lythgoe was only 10 years old when he began his show business career as a dancer. From there, he went on to choreograph over 500 shows world-wide before becoming known as a powerful and influential producer. He initially became known to the public as a judge and executive producer on T.V. series Pop Stars in the United Kingdom, before moving on to produce the predecessor for American Idol, Pop Idol. Currently, Lythgoe serves as President of 19 Entertainment, executive producer of American Idol and Next Great American Band, as well as an executive producer and judge on So You Think You Can Dance.
About BAFTA/LA
Serves as the bridge between the American and British entertainment communities, BAFTA/LA is a professional non-profit organization founded in California in 1987 to promote and advance original work in film, television and interactive media.
BAFTA/LA’s outreach programs benefit members and other professionals working within the entertainment industry, as well as the Los Angeles community at large.
BAFTA/LA provides exclusive access to screenings, Q&A’s with talent and filmmakers, conversations with leading UK-based film and television executives, and the Heritage Archive, featuring broadcast-quality interviews with distinguished British members of the film and television industries.
Inner City Cinema – Since June 2005, BAFTA/LA, in association with CURE, LA Department of Parks & Recreation and Hollywood Outdoor Movies, has been screening films with inspiring stories and positive messages each month in South Los Angeles’ Helen Keller Park. Most recently we screened The Great Debaters with a Q&A with Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker and screenwriter Robert Eisele, Gridiron Gang with an introduction by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Hairspray with a Q&A with Elijah Kelley.
Newcomers Program – Mentors UK citizens who have recently relocated to Los Angeles and are either full-time film or television students, or are working in the entertainment industry or related fields. Also, allows access to BAFTA/LA events and the chance to network with members, with the ultimate goal of promoting successful careers in the entertainment industry for Brits.
Additional educational outreach programs include seminars in association with local universities and festivals, scholarships for post-graduate programs, and recognizing professional and student talent with awards at film festivals throughout the U.S.
Social Networking Events – The following events help maintain and celebrate a long tradition of recognizing the finest filmmaking and television talent – Annual BAFTA/LA Cunard Britannia Awards, the BAFTA Film Awards Brunch, the Annual Garden Party, the Awards Season Film & Television Tea Parties in January and September.
BAFTA/LA is affiliated with BAFTA in London, and members vote annually for the prestigious BAFTA Film Awards.
For more information on BAFTA/LA, visit www.baftala.org.
