Calling out to all girl gamers, get a load of this! The British Academy of Film and Television Arts, otherwise known as BAFTA, has announced a free event in Scotland to all women considering a career in game design. Working with the Glasgow Caledonian University, Y Not Jam is a new Game Jam challenge to work specifically with women who are studying, working, or that even have an interest in building up awesome video games for other people to experience.
Luci Black, game producer and a member of Media Molecule — the spectacular team that developed Little Big Planet and Tearaway — will give a keynote speech on August 29. There will then be a discussion held by a few of the UK’s leading female industry experts, including Dr. Jo Twist, who is the CEO of the UK Interactive Entertainment Association. They will dissect and evaluate what it exactly means for women to participate in the gaming division. After this, the women get straight down to business. By this, I mean the Game Jam will put them through a difficult, yet fun experience of designing their very own game. The video game must be complete within 48 hours and be available for presentation Sunday as the event concludes.
Y Not Jam will start Friday, August 29 at 3 p.m. and continue until Sunday, August 31 at 5 p.m. This event is completely free. Y Not Jam will be held at Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA. To book yourself for the event, BAFTA members can attend the keynote speech by booking here, and everyone else who is not a member can reserve their spot through an email to the following address: [email protected] If you wish to participate in the Y Not Jam weekend, simply register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/y-not-jam-tickets-12601167431
Anyone and everyone are welcome to attend the 3 p.m. keynote speech and panel discussion. However, Game Jam attendees are open to women only. Due to the limited space, book early to avoid any inconveniences.
Glasgow, 21 August 2014: British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Scotland has announced a must-attend free event open to all women interested in a career in game design.
Organised in partnership with Glasgow Caledonian University, Y Not Jam is a brand new Game Jam challenge aiming to directly engage with women studying, working, or simply with a personal interest in creating and developing video games.
Kicking off on Friday 29 August with impressive keynote speaker, videogame producer Luci Black, from the multiple BAFTA-winning Media Molecule, the team behind international hit games Little Big Planet and Tearaway. A subsequent insightful panel discussion led by some of the UK’s leading female industry experts, including Dr. Jo Twist, CEO of the UK Interactive Entertainment Association (UKIE), examining what it means to be a woman working in the games sector.
After which, the serious business of the Game Jam will get underway with female attendees rising to the challenge of a team competition to design and develop a new video game programme in just under 48 hours before the closing presentations on Sunday afternoon.
What: Y Not Jam – Girls into Games
When: Friday 29 August, 3pm – Sunday 31 August, 5pm
Where: Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow, G4 0BA
How much: Free
To book:
– BAFTA Members interested in attending the opening keynote speech can book here, while non-members can reserve a space by emailing: [email protected]
– To participate in Y Not Jam weekend register: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/y-not-jam-tickets-12601167431
Please note, everyone with an interest in game design is welcome to register for the 3pm keynote speech and panel discussion. However Game Jam participants is open to women only. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.
Social media handles:
#YNotJam
@BAFTAScotland
@CaledonianNews
For further information:
Ali Liddy at Wire Media
T 0141 440 6761 | 07968 023 141
E [email protected]
About BAFTA Scotland
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round, international programme of learning events and initiatives that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York.
BAFTA Scotland has been championing the country’s film, television and game industries since 1989, celebrating and rewarding excellence through its annual British Academy Scotland Awards and BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards. BAFTA Scotland is at the core of Scotland’s screen industries, regularly engaging its members and the wider industry while reaching out to the public via a comprehensive range of screenings, educational events and masterclasses. www.bafta.org/scotland
BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work.
To access the best creative minds in film, TV and games production, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more information, visit www.bafta.org.
