Q. WHAT IS THE ENTRY PROCEDURE?
To apply for Breakthrough USA 2023, please submit a completed online application form, along with your CV, showreel and any required supporting materials by Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 3:30pm PDT / 6:30pm EDT.
Q. WHO CAN ENTER?
Anyone who is over the age of 18 and who satisfies the applicant experience criteria set out below may apply. We ask that you be available for Breakthrough USA promotional activity as required.
Q. WHAT ARE THE ENTRY CRITERIA?
We are looking for candidates who, at the time of application:
- Are aged 18 or over.
- Are working in the US, especially from regions and communities that are currently underrepresented in the screen industries.
- Have been primarily residing in the United States or Canada for at least 2 years.
In film and television, candidates must also:
- Have a professional credit on a piece of work that has been, or scheduled to be;
- Theatrically released in the US between June 1, 2022 and September 1, 2023
- Broadcast on a US television channel or streaming service between June 1, 2022 and September 1, 2023
- Writers, producers, performers or directors working in scripted are eligible if they have completed at least one, but no more than two, projects on which they had a lead role.
- Producers and directors working in factual and non-scripted (this includes producer/directors, series producers, multi-camera and gallery directors and development producers) are eligible if they have completed at least one project on which they had a lead or impactful role.
- Practitioners from any other craft area are eligible if they have completed at least one project on which they had a lead or impactful role.
- Practitioners from underrepresented groups in the industry, in any role, who have faced barriers to their progression are eligible if they completed at least one project on which they had a lead or impactful role.
In games, candidates must also:
- Have a professional credit on a piece of work that has been, or scheduled to be, published or released in the US between June 1, 2022 and September 1, 2023
- Have completed at least one project on which they had a lead or impactful role
Films without a USA theatrical or SVOD release may qualify if they have screened in the Official Selection at a minimum of one international or North American film festival between June 1, 2022 and September 1, 2023.
We welcome applications from all craft areas and particularly practitioners from under-represented groups in the industry, in any role, who have faced barriers to their progression.
Q. DO I HAVE TO PAY?
It is free to apply, be considered for and take part in the Breakthrough USA initiative.
Q. I’M NOT AN AMERICAN, CAN I APPLY?
Yes, as long as you have primarily resided in the USA for at least two years and are working in the US screen industries, this initiative is for you.
Q. I AM AN AMERICAN, CAN I APPLY?
Yes! As long as you have primarily resided in the USA or Canada for at least two years and are working in the US screen industries, this initiative is for you.
Q. I’M CURRENTLY LIVING IN THE US AS AN ASYLUM SEEKER/UNDER DACA/REFUGEE BUT HAVE NOT BEEN HERE FOR TWO YEARS. CAN I APPLY?
We will consider exceptions – e.g. for refugees – on a case by case basis. Any applicants would need be based in the US for the duration of the program (October 2023-October 2024).
Q. WHAT DO I RECEIVE IF I AM SELECTED?
Those selected will receive a year-long program of support from BAFTA, enabling them to connect with the global creative industries, learn from top practitioners and share their expertise with their peers. They will be promoted as talents to watch for the future and, when it’s safe to do so, will have the opportunity to travel to London for a bespoke series of meetings, events and introductions as part of the global BAFTA Breakthrough program.
Q. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE SELECTED?
The Breakthrough USA program is looking to select up to 12 participants. The Jury will be empowered to select fewer or more than this at their discretion.
Q. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY ‘IMPACTFUL ROLE’?
We recognize the team nature of working in craft and technical areas of film, games 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. This may not necessarily be the most senior or leading member of the team but someone who has been integral to the project and who has impressed their colleagues with talent and passion.
Q. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THEATRICAL RELEASE?
BAFTA is very aware of the continuing difficulties being experienced by distributors, exhibitors and the production sectors. If your film was intended for a theatrical release, has shifted to a VOD platform or is contining to screen at festivals, we encourage you to apply.
If you have any questions about eligibility for Breakthrough USA, please contact [email protected].
Q. WHAT ABOUT SHORT FILMS?
We expect applicants to Breakthrough USA to be working in feature films, and your breakthrough credit should be as part of a feature. However, we would welcome you to include any short films you have worked on as part of your full body of work to date.
Q. I WORK IN UX IN GAMES. CAN I APPLY?
We accept applications from candidates who work in UX and UI roles in games.
Q. I WORK IN A TEAM; HOW DO WE APPLY TOGETHER?
We welcome applications from teams (maximum of 3 people per team) who truly feel they have had their ‘breakthrough’ together. If you would like to apply as a team, please ask all members of your team to submit their own separate application forms; this is so we have all the information we need from each of you. Please flag that you are applying as part of a team in your application answer and include the name(s) of your team members.
The answers to “Why has this been your breakthrough year?’ and ‘How do you feel you would benefit from the Breakthrough USA Program’ may be the same across all team members.
Once all members have all submitted, we will link up the applications on our end to ensure they are considered together.
Q. I AM AN AGENT/PUBLICIST/MANAGER WISHING TO APPLY ON MY CLIENT’S BEHALF; IS THIS POSSIBLE?
We ask that all candidates to Breakthrough USA answer the key application questions themselves and use their own details on the site. Representatives may however of course administrate the application on their client’s behalf.
Q. WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM MY SHOWREEL?
Showreels should showcase your work and experience to date. They should include material from your lead or head of department role. All work should be clearly labelled on screen, please!
Q. HOW LONG CAN MY SHOWREEL BE?
Total running time for showreels may be up to 5 minutes. Longer showreels will be accepted by our system but the jury may choose to watch only 5 minutes of your showreel.
Q. I’M A WRITER; DO I NEED TO SUBMIT A SHOWREEL?
As a writer for the screen, we do need to see examples of your work as it appears thereon. Writers are also asked to submit a script extract of no more than 10 pages for Jury review.
Q. I WORK IN GAMES; DO I NEED TO SUBMIT A SHOWREEL?
We recognize that individuals working in certain disciplines, such as games, do not routinely have traditional showreels so we also accept:
- Trailers
- Gameplay videos
- Vlogs of you discussing your work
Showreels are used to give the Jury a sense of your work to date; they do not have to be flashy.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS IF I EXPERIENCE TECHNICAL PROBLEMS WHEN UPLOADING?
Please email [email protected] and someone will assist you.
Q. WHEN DO APPLICATIONS OPEN?
We open for applications on Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 12 pm PDT / 3 pm EDT.
Q. WHEN DO APPLICATIONS CLOSE?
The deadline to submit an application is Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 3:30pm PDT / 6:30pm EDT.
Q. I WORK IN THE INDUSTRY. HOW DO I RECOMMEND SOMEONE ELSE?
Breakthrough USA is an open call out for talented individuals working across film, games and television. All candidates must fully complete the application form in order to be considered for the initiative.
We do not check the eligibility of recommended candidates; it is their responsibility to review the application information and decide if they would like to apply.
If you would like to suggest someone for Breakthrough USA you can provide us with their details here. Please ensure that you have their permission to share their contact details before doing so. We will then contact them to invite them to apply directly.
A recommendation, or lack thereof, will not be considered as part of the judging process and candidates suggested by their peers, but who then fail to submit a fully completed application form by the deadline, will not be eligible for consideration.
Q. I HAVE BEEN INDUSTRY RECOMMENDED AS A POTENTIAL CANDIDATE. DOES BAFTA CHECK THE ELIGIBILITY OF RECOMMENDED CANDIDATES BEFORE INVITING THEM TO APPLY?
We do not check the eligibility of recommended candidates. All such candidates are informed that an industry professional has recommended them and are invited to apply directly by BAFTA. It is then the responsibility of each candidate to read all the information provided thoroughly, check their eligibility and choose to apply if they are interested in the opportunity and feel they meet the requirements.
Q. WHEN WILL I KNOW IF I HAVE BEEN SELECTED?
Those selected to participate in the Breakthrough USA initiative will be announced in Fall 2023. BAFTA will update all applicants on the status of their application prior to the announcement.
Q. WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT REQUIRED FROM ME?
By entering this initiative, you declare that you are able to attend the Breakthrough announcement as required and will take part in any subsequent events and mentoring sessions if you are selected in Fall 2023 until December 2024. You also agree to be named in the media and to participate in promotional and press activities before, during and after the event, including:
- Media interviews
- Photo opportunities
- Please note that if your application is successful, you will need to be available for a photoshoot on either Saturday, October 21 or Sunday, October 22, 2023 in either Los Angeles or New York.
Q. HOW DO I WITHDRAW MY APPLICATION?
You may withdraw your application at any time by emailing [email protected].
