STARS OF HOARD, BIRD AND KNEECAP JOIN LIST OF 12 OUTSTANDING BREAKOUT PERFORMERS
BIFA AND WE ARE BRIDGE CONTINUE PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTING NEW FILM TALENT
The British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) today announced the longlist for Breakthrough Performance sponsored by Netflix. Twelve talented individuals have blasted onto this year’s longlist, earning their spots with remarkable performances in some of this year’s stand-out British features. They join an illustrious list of previous breakthrough performers spotlighted by BIFA, including past winners Vivian Oparah, Ben Whishaw, Jamie Bell, Naomi Ackie, Dev Patel, Jessie Buckley and Ashley Walters.
BIFA and We Are Bridge partner again to deliver the Breakthrough Performer Programme, which launched in 2023 to offer development and support to the talent longlisted in this category. Running over six months, the programme will include sessions covering career development, wellbeing, casting and financial literacy in addition to networking opportunities. This year’s programme is supported by Independent Talent Group with additional contributions from CAM, Conway Van Gelder Grant, SISTER, Lark Management and donations from casting directors, producers and directors.
The final five nominees will be announced Thursday 5 November. Winners will be revealed at the BIFA awards ceremony on Sunday 8 December, which sees BIFA return to Camden’s iconic Roundhouse for its 27th edition.
For details of how to watch the longlisted films, visit watch.bifa.film.
BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE SPONSORED BY NETFLIX
NYKIYA ADAMS Bird
JASON BUDA Bird
SUSAN CHARDY On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
JOE GILL Treading Water
BILAL HASNA Layla
DEBA HEKMAT Last Swim
SAURA LIGHTFOOT-LEON Hoard
RUARIDH MOLLICA Sebastian
JJ Ó DOCHARTAIGH Kneecap
LIAM ÓG Ó HANNAIDH Kneecap
NAOISE Ó CAIREALLÁIN Kneecap
JASON PATEL Unicorns
