BAFTA/Jamie Simonds Gemma Arterton, Stacy Martin and George MacKay among those selecting the UK’s most promising future stars
London 25 September: Leading figures from across the film, games and television industries met today at the headquarters of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), 195 Piccadilly in London, to select this year’s BAFTA Breakthrough Brits.
The annual Breakthrough Brits initiative, which was launched in 2013, celebrates and supports the UK’s future stars of film, games and television. Honourees receive one-to-one mentoring, guidance sessions and networking opportunities, as well as free access to BAFTA events, for 12 months. This year’s cohort of talented newcomers will be celebrated at a special event in November.
The Breakthrough Brits jury members included several individuals who have previously been recognised through BAFTA’s new talent awards and initiatives. These include actress and producer Gemma Arterton (EE Rising Star nominee in 2011), actress Stacy Martin (BAFTA Breakthrough Brit in 2014), actor George MacKay (EE Rising Star nominee in 2014), and composer Nainita Desai (BAFTA Breakthrough Brit in 2016).
Marc Samuelson, Breakthrough Brits Jury Chair and Chair of the BAFTA Film Committee, said: “We’re delighted to have such an esteemed group of professionals giving their time to help choose the emerging stars of the future. Through initiatives like Breakthrough Brits, BAFTA plays an important role in supporting new talent to progress in the film, games and television industries, and we’re particularly pleased that so many previous beneficiaries of BAFTA’s activities are taking part in this sixth year of the programme. We look forward to showcasing the new honourees in November.”
Previous Breakthrough Brits include composer Segun Akinola (Doctor Who), actress Letitia Wright (Black Panther), actor Alex Lawther (End of the F'''ing World, Imitation Game) and BAFTA EE Rising star winner, actor Tom Holland (Spider-man: Homecoming).
Figures who have given support to the 2017 Breakthrough Brits in the past year include: actress Tilda Swinton, actor and producer Brad Pitt, game designer and developer Brenda Romero, actress Olivia Colman, director Tom Harper and game designer Tim Schafer.
Gemma Arterton, who co-chaired the Film and Television sub-Committee, said: “It has been an honour and a privilege to be a fellow chair and jury member for this year’s BAFTA Breakthrough Brits. The talent that emerges from this country is astounding and I have loved watching the abundance of this year’s newcomers. The Breakthrough Brits programme is an incredible opportunity for any honouree, the support and opportunities BAFTA has to offer is invaluable.”
Full list of Jurors in 2018:
Carolin Krenzer – Co-founder and CEO, Trailmix
Caroline Marchal – Creative Director, Interior Night
Clare Sillery - Head of Commissioning, Documentaries, BBC
Gemma Arterton - Actress and Producer
George MacKay – Actor
Hannah Wyatt – Managing Director, Factual Entertainment and Events, BBC Studios
Hossein Amini – Writer and Director
Mark Gerhard - CEO, Playfusion
Marc Samuelson- Jury Chair, Producer and Managing Director, Route 24 LTD
Nainita Desai – Composer
Nick Button-Brown - Chair, Outright Games
Priya Singh - Commissioning Editor, Factual, ITV
Rachael Prior - Producer
Sheila Fraser-Milne – Founder & CEO, Paterson James Ltd.
Stacy Martin – Actress
For more information about BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, go to: http://bit.ly/Breakthrough-Brits
For further information, please contact:
Jonaid Jilani
T: 020 7292 5863
About BAFTA
The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For advice and inspiration from the best creative minds in working in film, games and television, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.
