Jay Hunt, AppleTV+ European Creative Director, Praises US Streamer’s Investment in British Creativity

First Woman to Hold the Post of BFI Chair

US Invading British TV and Film Industry

Jay Hunt, AppleTV+ European creative director, has praised the US streamer for "investing literally millions and millions of pounds in British creativity" in her first public speech as chair of the British Film Institute (BFI). In a recent industry talk at the BFI London Film Festival, Hunt highlighted AppleTV+ series such as See-Saw’s Slow Horses and London-set thriller Criminal Record as "achingly British in terms of their tonality, and they have without exception traveled with audiences around the world."

Public Services and the BFI

Hunt, who is the first woman in over 20 years to hold the post of BFI chair, emphasized the importance of public services in the UK. She stated, "The truth is, public services is a defining part of who I am. It matters massively to me. I genuinely think great film and TV can change the world. So being back connected with an organisation with a public service remit is such an important thing."

Women in the Screen Industries

Hunt also spoke about the issue of women leaving the screen industries, particularly in their late 30s and early 40s. She explained, "I only mentor women now, who may be parents, they may have caring responsibilities, they may have relationships, and they want to be able to do all of that and do it really well, but they also want to say – yes, I’ll go to Penang for six months for a feature shoot, or yes, I’ll be undercover in prison for three months."

Mentorship and Valuing Women’s Skill Set

Hunt emphasized the need for women to value their own skill sets, citing advice from businesswoman and chair of Time’s Up UK Heather Rabbatts: "If you’re in a meeting, make sure you are in line of sight of the decision maker. If you’re sitting at a long table, how often do you see that women come into the room, sit at the end of the table, be quiet and not want to interrupt?"

Conclusion

In her talk, Hunt reflected on her own career, highlighting her experiences as a "disrupter" in the industry and her thoughts on the importance of valuing women’s skill sets. She emphasized the need for flexible working practices to support women in the screen industries, particularly during their childbearing years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the British Film Institute (BFI)?
A: The BFI is the UK’s lead body for film and the moving image, funded by the UK government and headquartered at the BFI Southbank in London.

Q: What is Jay Hunt’s role at AppleTV+?
A: Jay Hunt is the European creative director at AppleTV+, responsible for over-seeing the streaming service’s creative output in Europe.

Q: What is the purpose of the BFI’s R&D lab?
A: The BFI’s R&D lab, which Hunt referred to in her talk, is aimed at developing innovative and creative solutions for the screen industries, including film and television production, distribution, and exhibition.