The career of a former BAFTA chair and award-winning TV and film producer will be celebrated when the University of Chichester welcomes Hilary Bevan Jones to its campus.

Hilary is best known for producing the TV classics ‘Red Dwarf’, ‘Cracker’ and ‘State of Play’. Her most recent work saw her producing the Richard Curtis feature film ‘The Boat That Rocked’.

She also became the first woman chair of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) in 2006, a post she held for two years. With the shortlist now announced for this year’s ceremony near the end of February, Hilary is expected to offer her thoughts on who could be the big winners this year.

Hilary will be in conversation with Dr Adam Locks, programme co-ordinator for the media studies department at the University of Chichester. The evening, which is being held on Thursday 4 February, will feature clips from her work and opportunities for the audience to ask questions about her career.

Dr Locks said: “Hilary is the latest in a series of internationally renowned film and TV professionals who have come to the University to share their expertise with students and the wider community.

“Before she joined the film and TV industry, Hilary was a secondary school teacher and so is passionate about education, and agreed to come to Chichester because the audience is genuinely interested and engaged in their work and the industry as a whole.

“This event is not just for the students of the University, but open to the wider community as well. For anyone with a strong interest in the film and TV industry, this is a great opportunity to hear from a big name right on their doorstep.”

More than a hundred people are expected to attend the two-hour talk from 5pm in the Mitre Lecture Theatre at the University’s Bishop Otter Campus in College Lane, Chichester on Thursday 4 February.For further information or to reserve a place at this free event, please email either a.locks@chi.ac.uk or m.holley@chi.ac.uk.