BAFTA Scrutinized Over Decades of Free Guest Tickets
BAFTA faces allegations of legal breaches after trustees accepted undisclosed complimentary tickets worth up to £2,000, prompting an independent review and calls for financial corrections.
BAFTA has ended the long-standing practice of allowing trustees to bring plus-one guests to its ceremonies. This follows a recommendation from its governance committee and the establishment of an independent review group in 2025. The move comes amid allegations that trustees may have violated charity and company law by accepting undisclosed complimentary tickets to the BAFTA Film Awards for up to two decades.
Trustees received top-table seats, with a second ticket for the film awards valued at up to £2,000. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts operates as a registered charity. Its governing document states trustees may not receive remuneration or other benefits from the academy.
Financial and legal concerns raised
Michael Pritchett, the elected chair of BAFTA’s membership council, raised the concerns at the organization's annual general meeting this week. He alleged trustees accepted free guest tickets for themselves and guests at film, television, and games awards for up to 20 years. Pritchett commissioned legal advice at his own expense. That advice suggested trustees who approved the charity’s accounts may have committed offenses under the Charities Act and Companies Act.
BAFTA’s 2024 and 2025 accounts stated trustees received no remuneration, while its public register reported no payments or benefits. Pritchett alleged this breached charity law. He also questioned whether the complimentary tickets should have been subject to taxes dating back to 2016. This could create liability for unpaid National Insurance contributions. Pritchett stated he could not assure whether tax or National Insurance had been reported since 2016.
He called for trustees to repay any money owed, settle outstanding taxes, and correct financial accounts if necessary. Pritchett criticized a senior BAFTA executive for refusing to provide records of who had received complimentary tickets. He noted the membership council paid £4.7 million in membership fees last year.
BAFTA's response and defence
BAFTA’s outgoing chair, Sara Putt, defended the organization's actions. She stated trustees are volunteers invited to awards ceremonies in a working capacity, hosting tables and acting as ambassadors. Putt said the board decided to end the practice of giving trustees a guest ticket in 2025 following the governance committee's recommendation.
She revealed the Academy obtained its own legal advice on the ticketing issue, which was not shared with Pritchett or members. Putt stated that legal advice obtained by Pritchett was based on limited information, while BAFTA’s own legal counsel had access to a fuller picture. The separate guest ticket and accounting matters are being examined by an independent review group. Putt responded that if told they had to pay taxes, they would absolutely pay them.
No legal violations have been formally established. The independent review group, led by three unnamed industry executives, will examine the historical guest ticket arrangements and financial practices.
