Alumni of this programme include Tom Holland, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Florence Pugh.
Three talented Scots have been selected to join this year’s BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, which helps creatives in games, TV and film to accelerate their work, while also helping to inspire and nurture talent in the industry.
Hailing from Aberdeen and Edinburgh, these Scots have already made big names for themselves in their respective creative fields, with many UK and international awards and nominations under their belts. With the help of this BAFTA initiative, they should be able to take the next leap in their careers.
Alongside 17 others, these selected creatives will enter an exciting new phase as the year-round initiative provides one-to-one meetings and career guidance with industry professionals, as well as access to BAFTA industry networking events and screenings.
With alumni of this scheme including stars such as Tom Holland, Letitia Wright, Florence Pugh and Rose Ayling-Ellis, this cohort could be the next notable names in the industry. Also supported by Netflix, this initiative allows a range of different voices to access an array of creative opportunities.
Included in this year’s cohort are specialisms in costume design, editing and games design, directing, writing, production and many more. Many of these creatives have also worked on some of the most acclaimed projects from the last year.
Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: “It is an absolute pleasure to welcome this year’s outstanding participants of BAFTA Breakthrough. For 12 years this BAFTA talent programme has supported creatives and practitioners in film, games and television to navigate the often complex corridors of the screen arts.
“I am enormously grateful to Netflix for their continued support of BAFTA and for their shared passion and commitment to providing opportunity and career pathways for UK talent from all backgrounds.”
One of the Scots is Cara Ellison, who is a writer and game designer from Aberdeen. Using both of her talents, she has worked on storytelling in games such as Dishonoured 2 and God of War: Ragnarok. She also went on to work in radio and co-write a documentary about video games.
Coming in to broaden her horizons in film making, Laura Carreira has previously won the New Visions Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival and was nominated for Best Short Film at the 2019 BAFTA Scotland Awards. She has also won numerous awards for her debut film, On Falling – which came out in 2024.
Inspired by the landscapes, folklore and culture of Scotland, another member of this year’s Breakthrough cohort hopes to make a bigger name for himself in the gaming world. After finding critical acclaim with the game Farewell North, Kyle Banks has been nominated for an array of creative awards, including Best Narrative.
Globally, over 330 people have passed through the BAFTA Breakthrough programme to date, with many going on to create their own games, TV shows or features. From this initiative alone there have been 200 BAFTA nominations and over 80 wins.
Anne Mensah, Vice President, UK Content at Netflix, said: “Netflix is passionate about supporting and uplifting the next generation of talent from across the industry.
“The Breakthrough UK cohort announced today comprises such an exciting range of names, and it is an honour to continue to support an initiative that will help these brilliant creatives build connections, improve confidence, and ultimately launch the next phase of their careers.”
Full list of the BAFTA Breakthrough UK cohort 2025
Akinola Davies Jr – director/co-writer (My Father’s Shadow)
Alderney Middleton – series producer (Maddie + Triggs)
Cara Ellison – writer/ narrative designer (Ghost Town)
Ellis Howard – performer (What It Feels Like for a Girl)
Jodie-Simone Howe – costume designer (Mr Loverman)
Kyle Banks –director (Farewell North)
Laura Carreira – director/writer (On Falling)
Marie-Elena Dyche – producer (Harvest)
Mark Choi – composer (Empire of the Ants)
Matthew Gurney – performer (Reunion)
Megumi Inman – co-director/producer (Atomic People)
Nathalie Pitters – director of photography (Brian and Maggie)
Nathaniel Price – writer/associate producer (Mr Loverman)
Olaide Sadiq – director (Grenfell: Uncovered)
Owen Tooth – director (EastEnders)
Pinny Grylls – director/writer/editor (Grand Theft Hamlet)
Sally Beaumont – lead voice actor/script consultant (Old Skies)
Stanley Baxton – solo developer (LATEX, LEATHER, LIPSTICK, LOVE, LUST)
Stephanie Taylor – composer (The Search For Nicola Bulley)
Vivian Eguridu – series casting producer (Love is Blind UK Series 1)
