Breakthrough Performers

BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMERS PROGRAMME

We Are Bridge & BIFA are running a programme of support for the performers longlisted in the Breakthrough Performance category .

Over a six month span the programme includes sessions covering career development, wellbeing, casting, safeguarding and financial literacy, aiming to equip the performers for long term careers.

We are still seeking partners to ensure that we can deliver the scheme in full for the 2025 cohort and to ensure that the programme can continue in future.

If you would like to find out more about how you can get involved, please contact Amy Gustin from the BIFA team (amy@bifa.film).

The Longlist 2024

Last year’s cohort of longlisted talent were an exciting group of emerging performers who starred in some of 2024’s most talked about independent films.

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
Naoise Ó Cairealláin Kneecap	JJ Ó Dochartaigh Kneecap	Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh Kneecap	Jason Patel Unicorns

Read about the 2023 cohort here.

THE PROGRAMME

Welcome event for talent to connect with one another and Q&A with previous Breakthrough Performance nominees to help prepare them for the journey on what to expect. Through this informal introduction, we will introduce the longlisted performers to the programme and the awards process while beginning to identify the varying levels of the performers’ needs and prior experience.

Wellbeing & Empowerment session for nominees to reflect on the experience of the ceremony and focus on positive next steps.

Practical Casting workshop giving performers a chance to speak with industry professionals about how to navigate rooms, tapes, auditions and recalls etc. without the pressure of a job connecting to the interaction.

Financial Literacy session to equip performers to navigate the industry as a business. Practical session with a financial advisor or business accountant unpacking the basics behind being self employed.

Career development session. A Q&A panel with writers, directors and producers for the longlisted performers to learn more about behind the scenes roles.

CSA UK Artios Awards x Breakthrough Performers dinner, an evening to celebrate and be in the room with the very best casting directors in the UK.