Meet the current UK Breakthrough cohort

Are you at a turning point in your career? BAFTA’s flagship Breakthrough programme could be for you.

Showcasing and helping accelerate the careers of the next generation of film, games and TV talent Breakthrough is part of our charity’s vision that people from all backgrounds will have opportunities to thrive in the screen industries.

Who is BAFTA Breakthrough for?

You may already be established in your field, but this will be the year you have ‘broken through’ into a lead creative role. BAFTA Breakthrough helps give a boost to talent  who’ve had a breakthrough year in the screen industry.

Selected by industry peers successful Breakthroughs receive:

  • Full voting membership of BAFTA for a year
  • Free access to BAFTA events and screenings
  • Access to the members’ space at 195 Piccadilly
  • A year of support, industry introductions and career development
  • A chance to raise your profile in the industry

How can you apply for BAFTA Breakthrough?

The BAFTA Breakthrough programme runs in the UK, the US and India. Chosen by the industry, it gives a platform to film, games and TV talent at that critical ‘breakthrough’ moment in their career.

Our aim is to help leverage early success into sustainable careers. We particularly welcome practitioners from underrepresented groups who have faced barriers to progression.

If you are 18 or over, work in the country whose programme you’re applying to, and meet specific programme eligibility criteria you can apply.

FAQs

  • Applications for the next Breakthrough cohort open in May 2025.

  • We recognise that applicants from under-represented groups may not have had the same access to opportunity as others to take on lead roles. We therefore accept applications from candidates from under-represented groups, in any discipline, who have taken on a lead or impactful role. We refer to under-represented groups as identified in the BFI Diversity Standards.

  • We recognise the team nature of working in craft and technical areas of games, film and television, and are looking for those individuals who have taken on a key role within a team that has had a significant impact on the outcome of the project.

    Impactful can also mean the impact of your work beyond the project itself. Possible examples include:

    • Was your role (or someone like you in your role) a first of its kind?
    • Did it raise awareness or start a conversation around issues traditionally underrepresented in film, TV and games?
    • Did your participation break new ground for the industry or demonstrate best practice?
    • Did your work impact a campaign or engage or create policy change outside the project?
    • Did you use a technique, method or technology for the first time?
  • Eligibility details for 2025 will be made available at the same time as applications open.

Explore our other programmes
The BAFTA Breakthrough programme is supported by Netflix
BAFTA Partners