BAFTA/Jonathan Birch Jury including Olivia Colman, Richard Ayoade and Jack O’Connell select honourees of BAFTA’s talent showcase, presented in partnership with Burberry
London, 29 September: A cross-industry jury of leading figures from film, television and games industries met at the headquarters of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), 195 Piccadilly in London, to decide which talented newcomers will be named this year’s BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry.
The jury – which included BAFTA-winning actor Olivia Colman ( ), BAFTA-winning actor/director Richard Ayoade ( ) and actor Jack O’Connell ( ) – agreed the successful individuals, who will be revealed at a showcase event at the global Burberry flagship store, 121 Regent Street, on Monday 27 October.
BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, which was launched in conjunction with Burberry in 2013, is now in its second year. The initiative celebrates and supports the UK’s future stars of film, television and games through mentoring, guidance sessions and networking opportunities, as well as free access to BAFTA events, over 12 months.
The jury was comprised of an impressive list of industry experts from across film, television and games, all keen to support emerging British talent. These included several BAFTA winners and nominees such as: producer Hilary Bevan Jones ( ); screenwriter Ronan Bennett ( ); James Bond producer Barbara Broccoli OBE ( ); Charles Cecil MBE, Co-Founder of Revolution Software ( ); Documentary-maker Molly Dineen ( ); Composer Anne Dudley ( ); Game developer Nina Kristensen ( ); Polly Leys ( ); and Director Mike Newell (, ).
Also participating in the jury were: game developer Georg Backer (); producer James Dean ( Lilting,Weekend_); Lee Schuneman, Studio Head at Microsoft’s Lift London; and Piers Wenger, Head of Drama at Channel 4 and E4.
John Willis, Deputy Chairman of BAFTA, who chaired the jury after an open call for nominations, said: “The standard of the candidates across film, television and games has been even higher in this second year, as more potential applicants have understood the value of being a Breakthrough Brit. We look forward to revealing the names of this year’s honourees in October, and supporting them over the coming year as their careers develop. Some of our inaugural Breakthrough Brits have already gone on to become BAFTA winners, so the sky really is the limit.”
This year’s initiative is also supported by Rosewood London and Audi.
For more information about BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry, go to: http
Full list of jurors:
John Willis (Jury Chair) – Chief Executive of Mentorn Media, Group Creative Director of Tinopolis plc, and Deputy Chairman of BAFTA
Georg Backer (Games Sub-Committee Chair) – Game developer
Hilary Bevan Jones (Film and TV Sub-Committee Co-Chair) – Producer
James Dean (Film and TV Sub-Committee Co-Chair) – Producer
Richard Ayoade – Actor
Ronan Bennett – Screenwriter
Barbara Broccoli OBE– Producer
Charles Cecil MBE – Co-Founder of Revolution Software
Olivia Colman – Actor
Tim Corrie – Agent
Molly Dineen – Documentary director, cinematographer and producer
Anne Dudley– Composer
Nina Kristensen – Game developer
Polly Leys – Producer
Mike Newell – Director
Jack O’Connell – Actor
Ula Pontikos – Cinematographer
Lee Schuneman – Studio Head at Microsoft’s Lift London
Piers Wenger – Head of Drama at Channel 4 and E4
Further Information
For further information, please contact:
Vicky Grayson at freuds
T +44 20 3003 6327
E [email protected]
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts is an independent charity that supports, develops and promotes the art forms of the moving image by identifying and rewarding excellence, inspiring practitioners and benefiting the public. In addition to its Awards ceremonies, BAFTA has a year-round Learning & Events programme that offers unique access to some of the world’s most inspiring talent through workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes, connecting with audiences of all ages and backgrounds across the UK, Los Angeles and New York. BAFTA relies on income from membership subscriptions, individual donations, trusts, foundations and corporate partnerships to support its ongoing outreach work. For further information, visit www.bafta.org, and to access the best creative minds in film, TV and games production visit www.bafta.org/guru.
About Burberry
Established in 1856, Burberry is a global British luxury brand with a heritage of innovation, craftsmanship and design. The Burberry business comprises 5 divisions: menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, accessories and beauty. Burberry is headquartered in London and listed on the London Stock Exchange (BRBY.L), Burberry is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Visit www.burberry.com for further information
