Jane Mayo named as finalist in BAFTA film competition
The chairman of Campbeltown Community Business is ‘thrilled’ and ‘staggered’ that she’s in with a chance of winning BAFTA’s second annual For the Love of Film competition.
Jane Mayo, who chairs the community trust which operates Campbeltown Picture House, is one of nine people shortlisted by a special BAFTA jury, having been nominated by the British public for their exceptional contributions to their communities through film.
Jane was chosen as a finalist not only because she led the community to raise more than £6 million to save the historic gem – the UK’s oldest continually operating cinema – but also because she generated a sustainable programme of self-funding activity to ensure the unique cinematic and architectural treasure will endure, serving the community as well as attracting visitors from all over the globe.
Jane’s citation reads: ‘Inspired by the power film has to motivate, educate, inspire and entertain an entire community, not only in the town itself but the wider Kintyre diaspora, Jane’s passion, commitment and dedication to making this project a reality has seen the community’s “wee picture house” brought back from the brink of dereliction to be once more at the heart of the community.’
Jane told the Courier: ‘I’m staggered by this nomination! I’m so pleased that the Picture House should get this national coverage, which is so important to help put both it and Campbeltown on the map.
‘As for myself, of course I’m thrilled, just to be nominated in such an impressive field of other contenders.’
The category’s two winners, to be announced in January 2020, will be invited to attend the nation’s biggest celebration of film, the EE British Academy Film Awards, on Sunday February 2.
Jane said that if she is successful she plans to take her husband, David, along with her.
Amanda Berry OBE, chief executive of BAFTA, said: ‘We’re proud to shine a light on these dedicated individuals from across the country, people who do what they do purely “for the love of film”.
‘Now in the second year of the competition, so many of the people who have been brought to our attention have demonstrated an incredible passion for film in their communities, which reinforces our belief that film plays a vital role in our everyday lives.’