‘A Suitable Boy' star Tanya Maniktala, 'Gully Boy' cinematographer Jay Pinak Oza and 'Scam 1992' writer-editor Sumit Purohit are among the 10 participants for the first-ever BAFTA Breakthrough India Initiative. The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) on Thursday unveiled the participants list for the initiative, which was announced in November last year. Supported by streamer Netflix, the initiative will identify, celebrate and support talents working in films, games, or TV in India.
Due to an overwhelming number of applications, the jury decided to select 10 Indian talents, double the number previously announced. The jury included actor Anupam Kher, Netflix executive Monika Shergill, filmmaker Mira Nair and producer Siddharth Roy Kapur.
The list of participants also includes 'Typewriter' actor Palomi Ghosh, writer-producer of 'Mehsampur' Akshay Singh, 'Nasir' writer-director Arun Karthick, composer Karthikeya Murthy, 'The Ebb Tide' writer-director Renu Savant, 'Elephants In My Backyard' director Vikram Singh; and Shruti Ghosh, a game developer and art director.
The participants will receive one-to-one mentoring, global networking opportunities, free access to BAFTA events and screenings for a year and full voting BAFTA membership. They will also connect with and learn from some of the best in the British and Indian creative industries, share their expertise with peers around the world, gain access to opportunities beyond geographical borders, and be promoted as BAFTA Breakthrough artists globally.
AR Rahman, BAFTA Breakthrough India Ambassador and Jury Chair, said he was overwhelmed by the huge number of applications from across India for the initiative. "This serves as a huge testament to the level of creative talent India has to offer. As our country faces unprecedented times, we are hopeful to launch yet another cohort very soon, as we do believe that this program offers an opportunity of a lifetime for Indian talent and I look forward to seeing the new opportunities Breakthrough can bring for them in the years to come,” Rahman said. —PTI
