Sir Alan Parker is to jointhe board of governors of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts/LosAngeles (BAFTA/LA), it was announced today (Mar 14) by Gary Dartnall, thechairman of the board of directors of BAFTA/LA. Parker will take his place amonga who's who of film-makers and performers that includes Michael Caine,Anthony Hopkins, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg and Barbara Broccoli.

'BAFTA/LA is pleasedand honored that Alan Parker will be joining our board of governors,'Dartnall said in a statement. 'His considerable contributions to cinemahave distinguished him as one of the most rare of talents working today. He haslong supported BAFTA/LA and our efforts to reach out to the entertainmentcommunity and weíre certain that his new, more formal role will resultin even greater relations between BAFTA/LA and supporters of British cinema andtelevision.'

'I've been a long timeparticipant in many of BAFTA/LA events and was delighted to be asked to jointhis prestigious group of governors,' Parker said. 'This is animportant time for the Academy and I look forward to working with the board aswe reach out to the entertainment community.'

In addition to the BAFTA/LAappointment, Parker is chairman of UK support body the Film Council and most recentlydirected the death row drama The Life Of David Gale starring Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet for Universaland Intermedia. Other credits include Fame, Midnight Express, Bugsy Malone,Shoot The Moon, Evita and MississippiBurning.