THESE are the speeches with calls for a ceasefire in Gaza that the BBC cut from the Scottish Bafta Awards ceremony.
Some winners and nominees used their appearance on stage to voice solidarity with Palestinians during the awards event in Glasgow on Sunday evening – but the BBC cut their words and a whole award category.
Campaigners from Art Workers for Palestine Scotland handed envelopes containing letters which doubled as a poster to celebrities and politicians attending the awards.
Director Eilidh Munro, who won the award for best short film and animation, told guests to “put pressure on institutions and our government” and to “use your voice as filmmakers and artists” whilst her colleague Finlay Pretsell held up one of the posters which said, “I refuse to be silent. Ceasefire now.”
The speech was seen by viewers on the livestream produced by Bafta Scotland on Sunday and shared widely online but the entire award giving has been removed from the BBC iPlayer’s edit.
The producers of A Long Winter have urged filmmakers to use their voice to "pressure institutions and government" to call for a ceasefire in Gaza at the Scottish Bafta Awards pic.twitter.com/TRootNEjU6
— The National (@ScotNational) November 19, 2023
On the original stream, the previous nominees are seen leaving the stage and Bowman states: “The ability to express an idea with precision, speed and economy is a rare gift so it’s time to honour this year’s finest work in short film and animation.
“To reveal the winner, an actress who embodies the tenacious title character of detective series Karen Pirie and an actor known for a discovery of witches. They are both celebrated the world over for the fantastic work on the phenomenon that is Outlander. Please raise the roof for Lauren Lyle and Steven Cree.”
Lyle and Cree take to the stage, read the nominees, and present the award to Munro and the other creators of The Long Winter.
On the BBC edit, the previous nominees are seen leaving the stage and Bowman states: “We’ve reached the award for factual series which often takes us into the world of crime.”
The award for factual series is then shown presented.
A later reference to Munro’s speech by actor Amir El-Masry has also been removed.
El-Masry, who presented the award for Actress in a film, said: “Before I start, I just want to echo the sentiments earlier in saying my heart goes out all women, men, and children who are suffering right now in Gaza. Let’s hope and pray that we see peace in the region and an imminent ceasefire.”
He had been pictured on the red carpet with ‘#ceasefirenow’ written on his hand.
However, the BBC edit showed every other award won; Entertainment, Features, Audience Award, Writer for Film/Television, Television Scripted, Actress Film, Actor Film, Director Factual, Director Fiction, Actor Television, Actress Television, and Feature Film.
