If there’s one thing THN are always aware of, and love to cover, it’s the upcoming talent in the world because even Spielberg had to start somewhere. Tonight, we’re excited to share the news that The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) have given us the list for their first BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry.
The 17 talented newcomers, who are making a name for themselves within film, television or games, will be celebrated at a showcase event on Monday 21 October.
The BAFTA Breakthrough Brits – chosen by a jury of industry experts – were named today as: actors Paul Brannigan, James Floyd, Tom Holland, Ade Oyefeso, Chloe Pirrie, and Sharon Rooney; writers/directors Rowan Athale and Zam Salim; writer Dominic Mitchell; game developers Oliver Clarke, Mitu Khandaker and Dan Pearce; game designers Rex Crowle and Sophia George; broadcaster Arthur Williams; and producers Ed Barratt and Nisha Parti.
John Willis, Chairman of BAFTA, who chaired the jury after an open call for nominations, said:
“Through BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, we want to turbocharge the careers of really talented people right across the spectrum of the creative industries; people who are just at the point of breaking through to the next level and becoming really serious players in their industry, and could benefit from the help, support, encouragement and nurturing that an organisation like BAFTA can give them.”
One of the juror’s on the panel is Eddie Redmayne, who added:
“It’s a genius initiative and one of those great ideas that makes you think “why hadn’t it happened before?”
The filmmaker and another juror Shane Meadows agreed:
“The initiative is amazing, and what’s really nice about it is that it’s not just actors or it’s not just directors; there’s game designers and producers and writers.”
For further information about BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry, visit: http://bit.ly/Breakthrough-Brits.
Full list of BAFTA Breakthrough Brits:
Rowan Athale, writer/director – aged 32, from Balham, south London
Ed Barratt, producer – aged 30, from Newcastle upon Tyne
Paul Brannigan, actor – aged 27, from Glasgow
Oliver Clarke, game developer – aged 35, from Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Rex Crowle, game designer – aged 36, from Whitechapel, East London
James Floyd, actor – aged 28, from Hackney, east London
Sophia George, game designer – aged 23, from Runham, Norfolk
Tom Holland, actor – aged 17, from Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
Mitu Khandaker, game developer – aged 29, from Leicestershire
Dominic Mitchell, writer – aged 33, from Yealand Redmayne, Lancashire
Ade Oyefeso, actor – aged 20 from Colindale, north-west London
Nisha Parti, producer – aged 41, from Ladbroke Grove, west London
Dan Pearce, game developer – aged 19, from Maidenhead, Berkshire
Chloe Pirrie, actress – aged 26, from Edinburgh
Sharon Rooney, actress – aged 24, from Glasgow
Zam Salim, writer/director – aged 40, from Glasgow
Arthur Williams, broadcaster – aged 27, from Aston Somerville, Worcestershire
For further information about BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry, visit: http://bit.ly/Breakthrough-Brits
