- BAFTA Breakthrough UK to support 20 emerging creative practitioners working in film, games and television navigating their breakthrough moment
- Netflix’s continued support solidifies its longstanding commitment to championing new talent across the screen industries
- Applications open today (Thursday 30 April) and close 12pm, Thursday 19 June 2026
- This year’s Breakthrough UK cohort to be unveiled in November 2026
Today, BAFTA announces that applications are now open for BAFTA Breakthrough UK, supported by Netflix. Now in its 13th year, BAFTA Breakthrough UK is the arts charity’s flagship talent programme, dedicated to spotlighting and supporting outstanding emerging talent in film, games, and television.
The initiative plays a central role in BAFTA’s year-round work to nurture and develop creative talent, offering unique access to career development opportunities and building connections across the industry. BAFTA is committed to removing barriers to entry and progression in the screen industries through a wide range of learning events and programmes like Breakthrough.
2026 marks the seventh year of Netflix’s partnership of the programme, reflective of BAFTA and Netflix’s common goal: to celebrate emerging talent and invest in the next generation of screen creatives in the UK.
Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said: “Breakthrough UK is an integral part of BAFTA’s mission to champion creative talent across the screen industries. This programme goes beyond recognising talent at a ‘breakthrough’ moment, it is about providing the foundational support and professional nurturing that sustains a whole career. We are delighted to continue this important work with Netflix, whose support and shared commitment to investing in the next generation of talent help make Breakthrough UK possible.”
Anne Mensah, Vice President of UK Content, Netflix said: “BAFTA Breakthrough continues to champion the UK’s most exciting emerging voices, and as part of our wider Generation N work we’re proud to support the initiative for a seventh year, continuing to open doors for new creatives across the industry.”
As an incubator for the industry’s future change-makers, BAFTA Breakthrough nurtures and encourages peer-to-peer network building. Tapping into BAFTA’s unique global academy of over 14,000 creatives, the initiative has facilitated over 1500 meetings with established industry practitioners, such as Amma Asante, Ava Duvernay, Cillian Murphy, Craig Mazin, Danny Boyle, Emma Thompson, Jack Thorne, Lena Dunham, Nia DaCosta, Peter Morgan, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Riz Ahmed and Russell T Davies, among many others.
By providing the foundation for vital connections and skills to develop, and championing professional growth, BAFTA Breakthrough empowers its alumni to build long-lasting careers and achieve industry acclaim, including BAFTA nominations and wins.
Applications for BAFTA Breakthrough UK supported by Netflix are now open at:
bafta.alchemy.construction/programmes/bafta-breakthrough
The deadline for entries is 12pm, Friday 19 June 2026
Notes to Editors:
BAFTA Breakthrough UK is part of BAFTA’s year-round initiatives to nurture the next generation of creative talent. Its long-established and celebrated programmes and scholarships, such as BAFTA Elevate, Young Game Designers, and the Prince William BAFTA Bursary help thousands of people build their careers in film, games, and television. From children and students to rising stars and new practitioners, levelling the playing field for all is at the heart of BAFTA’s mission.
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About BAFTA
BAFTA’s mission as a charity is to champion the creative and cultural importance of the screen arts across film, games and television. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of talent initiatives and learning events that include masterclasses, lectures, scholarships, bursaries and mentoring schemes in the UK and North America, BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new screen talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For more, visit bafta.alchemy.construction. BAFTA is a registered charity (no. 216726).
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