BAFTA Celebrates 'Breakthrough Brits' - The UK's Future Stars of Film, Television and Games

Today BAFTA brought together the 17 'Breakthrough Brits' for a day of mentoring by leading industry figures at BAFTA's headquarters, 195 Piccadilly in London , followed by an evening reception in their honour at the Burberry global flagship store, 121 Regent Street.

The first ever BAFTA Breakthrough Brits , in partnership with Burberry, were chosen by a jury of industry experts after an open call for the UK's future stars of film, television and games. The successful talented individuals, including the stars of shows such as My Mad Fat Diary and Youngers, as well as the writer of In the Flesh, were announced last month 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.

These talented newcomers spent the day meeting experts from the film, television and games industries at BAFTA. The keynote speech was delivered by Working Title Films co-founder and BAFTA Award-winning producer Tim Bevan, who discussed the history and growth of Working Title Films, and some of their experiences along the way.

Other influential industry figures, many of whom are past BAFTA winners, shared their expert advice during the day, and included: film producers Barbara Broccoli (the James Bond franchise) and Duncan Kenworthy (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill); agent Jenne Casarotto; game developer Georg Backer from Hotsauce Interactive; creator of the SingStar games Paulina Bozek; Director of BBC Academy, and BAFTA Deputy Chair Anne Morrison; actor Daniel Kaluuya (Skins, Black Mirror) and screenwriter Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady, The Hour).

The evening reception at the Burberry flagship store was attended by industry figures including: Josh Berger, President & MD, Warner Bros. UK, Ireland & Spain; Sophie Turner Laing, MD of Entertainment, News and Broadcast Operations at Sky; and producers David Parfitt (Shakespeare in Love, Parade's End) and Rebecca O'Brien (The Angel's Share, My Name Is Joe); as well as actors Joseph Mawle (Birdsong, Game of Thrones) and Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Misfits, Utopia), British musician Tinie Tempah, SB.TV Founder Jamal Edwards, and actor/director Dexter Fletcher (Wild Bill, Sunshine on Leith). Work from the 'Breakthrough Brits' was showcased during the event.

Amanda Berry, Chief Executive Officer at BAFTA, said: "We are thrilled to celebrate our inaugural Breakthrough Brits: 17 talented people who show immense promise. We have received the most incredible support from Burberry, who share our dreams and aspirations for this initiative, as well as established industry professionals who have provided inspiration and guidance to our Breakthrough Brits."

Christopher Bailey, Burberry Chief Creative Officer, said: "We have a unique energy and the most inspiring creative spirit in Britain, so to be able to support BAFTA in celebrating our new generation of emerging talent, at the beginning of their journey, is a real privilege. The idea of recognising and nurturing creative confidence is very close to our hearts. With Breakthrough Brits, BAFTA have created a platform that shines a light on and importantly, supports, some of the amazing breadth of talent that we are so proud of in this country. Congratulations to all 2013 Breakthrough Brits - we can't wait to see what they do next."

BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry, is a new initiative to celebrate and support the UK's future stars of film, television and games. As well as today's programme of events, those selected will also receive a year of free access to BAFTA events as well as further mentoring and guidance sessions as they move into the next stage of their careers. A special publication featuring the 'Breakthrough Brits' will be distributed to industry and to career-starters across the country.

Find out more about BAFTA Breakthrough Brits 2013 >

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Full list of BAFTA Breakthrough Brits, announced 25 September 2013

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

BAFTA Breakthrough Brits jury members:

John Willis (jury chair) - Chief Executive of Mentorn Media, Group Creative Director of Tinopolis plc, and Chairman of BAFTA
Georg Backer - game developer
Hilary BEvan Jones - producer
James Dean - producer/director
Jacqueline Durran - costume designer
Jamal Edwards - Founder, SBTV
Dexter Fletcher - actor/writer/director
Andy Harries - producer
Miles Jacobson - Studio Director, Sports Interactive
FeliciTy Jones - actor
Daniel Kaluuya - actor/writer
David Kosse - President, International, Universal Pictures
Karen Lindsay Stewart - casting director
Kim Longinotto - documentary producer/director
Philippa Lowthorpe - director
Shane Meadows - director/writer
Abi Morgan - writer
Rageh Omaar - journalist/writer
Eddie Redmayne - actor
Jo Twist - CEO, UKIE
Rob Yescombe - games & film writer

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