BAFTA has awarded grants to emerging creatives from low socio-economic backgrounds across the four UK nations.

The Prince William BAFTA Bursaries will be granted to 58 screen-sector workers including production assistants, costumer designers, writers, game designers, and camera and sound trainees.

The grants will go towards essential costs such as driving lessons, specialist equipment, training and relocation costs that might otherwise lock talented people out of a screen arts career.

In collaboration with the Refugee Journalism Project, 11 further bursaries have been awarded to individuals who have be forcibly displaced, with £30,000 in funding given to recipients including journalists, editors, directors and videographers.

Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: “Supporting the next generation of talent is an essential part of our mission. The Prince William BAFTA Bursary Fund is a fantastically effective way to kick-start careers, particularly for those who face socio and economic inequality.

“The bursaries are transformative for career starters, enabling them to buy an essential piece of kit, secure training, or in some cases it’s as simple as getting driving lessons so they can get to set! There is no shortage of potential in our workforce. Unfortunately, the opportunity to act on that potential is all too often limited by financial barriers. So, I’m delighted to continue The Prince William BAFTA Bursary Fund, thanks to our incredibly generous network of donors and supporters.”

Now in its fourth year, The Prince William BAFTA Bursary scheme was established with the support of film director Paul Greengrass. Every year, BAFTA also awards scholarships, with recipients to be announced in the autumn.