So, the 2023 awards season officially kicks off with BIFA (the British Independent Film Awards) announcing their long list of nominations for their Breakthrough Performance (sponsored by Netflix).
The award is renowned for spotting tomorrow’s stars today. Previous nominees and winners of this category include Ben Whishaw, Jamie Bell, Naomi Ackie, Hayley Atwell, John Boyega, Florence Pugh, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Letitia Wright.
Launching this year, BIFA will be working in partnership with We Are Bridge to offer a programme of development and support to the performers longlisted in this category. Founded in 2018, We Are Bridge began as an aftercare programme for the cast of Rocks, led by a collective of the filmmakers behind the BIFA and BAFTA-winning film. Since then, WAB has evolved into an industry body committed to ensuring the legacy of new and emerging talent. Running over six months, the programme will include sessions covering career development, wellbeing, casting and financial literacy in addition to networking opportunities. It will also deliver a safeguarding industry training session to support those responsible for looking after new on-screen talent.
The final five nominees will be announced Thursday 2 November. Winners will be revealed at the 26th BIFA ceremony on Sunday 3 December.
Here is the long list.
Breakthrough Performance sponsored by Netflix
JOE ANDERS Bonus Track
JEDAIAH BANNERMAN The Kitchen
LE’SHANTEY BONSU Girl
LOLA CAMPBELL Scrapper
CARLY-SOPHIA DAVIES The Eternal Daughter
DAVID JONSSON Rye Lane
PRIYA KANSARA Polite Society
MIA MCKENNA BRUCE How to Have Sex
KEENAN MUNN-FRANCIS Black Dog
TEMILOLA OLATUNBOSUN Pretty Red Dress
VIVIAN OPARAH Rye Lane
SAMUEL SMALL Bonus Track
FREDDY SMITH Suicide Kelly
DAVE TURNER The Old Oak
ALIN UZUN Scrapper
