Member Article

Leeds Academy Celebrates Decade Contribution to Film and TV Industry

Leeds based screen acting academy, YAFTA is commemorating a decade of success within the film and TV industry with a glamorous celebration at The Royal Armouries in Leeds on 7th July. To further honour the occasion, 10 annual scholarships are also being released by the academy for the YAFTA Acting for Screen Diploma course.

The YAFTA Group has played a leading role in the development of the screen industry in the North since launching in 2013. Founded by Dr Charlotte Armitage, the academy originally opened in Leeds City Centre providing specialist screen acting classes for actors in the north.

The educational establishment has gone on to train 1000s of actors and developed a unique, Spotlight Accredited acting for screen diploma programme rivalling the traditional drama school provision and successfully proving that there is more than one way to enter the industry. Alongside the academy, the award-winning YAFTA talent agency, has celebrated breaking down barriers in representation of disability on screen, with agency actors including James Moore who plays Ryan Stocks in Emmerdale making history with his NTA win and James Martin recently celebrating the Oscar win of the film, An Irish Goodbye. The YAFTA Talent Agency recently won Best Talent Agency Award in the New Voice Awards 2023.

Charlotte Armitage says: “I am incredibly proud of all of our students, tutors, industry professionals, agency actors and colleagues who have played a part in the growth of the YAFTA Group throughout the past 10 years. It’s been an honour to have played a part in challenging the perceptions of the industry and showcasing talent whilst proving that quality training does not have to be London centric. The release of 10 scholarships for our YAFTA Acting for Screen Diploma programme is our commitment to supporting acting talent in the North of the UK.”

The black-tie event promises to bring Hollywood glamour to festivities with a red-carpet drinks reception, a three-course dinner, speeches, awards and entertainment. Attendees can also enjoy the YAFTA graduation showcase for the most recent Diploma graduates and celebrate the achievements of the business over the last decade.

Dr Armitage adds: “For any business to have survived the last 10 years is no mean feat, and especially within the film and TV sector which has faced significant challenges over the last few years. It therefore seemed fitting we celebrated the achievement with the people and supporters who have made this possible with our own black-tie event.”

The event is open to all and tickets are available to purchase now and further details on the scholarship program are on the YAFTA website

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vicky Clapham .