Celebrating Global Talent: BAFTA Unveils 2024 Breakthrough Cohort with Diverse Game Development Expertise
Covers areas of expertise including production, performance, editing, directing, and game design.
A selection of video game developers have been proudly recognized as part of BAFTA’s 2024 Breakthrough cohort, featuring contributors from titles such as Black Myth: Wukong, Baldur’s Gate 3, and Pacific Drive.
BAFTA Breakthrough is defined as BAFTA’s “premier new talent initiative aimed at accelerating exceptional individuals in games, TV, and film who are on the verge or currently experiencing a breakthrough moment or year” in the UK, US, and India. It provides a year-long program for growth and professional development opportunities.
This year’s Breakthrough UK cohort was selected by five specialized sub-committees made up of representatives “from the realms of film, television, crafts, technology, unscripted content, and games, including BAFTA and Netflix representatives.”
The following game developers and performers were among those honored:
- Abhinav Chokhavatia, Game Producer – Down and Out (India)
- Jennifer English, Performer – Baldur’s Gate 3 (UK)
- Elaine Gómez, Creative Director – Blink Land (US)
- Nicole He, Creative Director – The Crush House (US)
- Fred Hoffman, Art Director – Paper Trail (UK)
- Sophie Knowles, Lead Artist – Viewfinder (UK)
- Neeraj Kumar, Producer/Lead Developer – Artifice: Battle Paths (India)
- Beth Park, Lead Performance Director – Black Myth: Wukong (UK)
- Karrie Shirou Shao, Game Writer/Lead Designer – Pacific Drive (US)
“BAFTA Breakthrough, now in its 11th year, highlights a plethora of up-and-coming and gifted ‘must-watch’ creative professionals working in film, games, and television,” stated Jane Millichip, BAFTA CEO.
“This year, we have an impressive lineup of casting directors, producers, writers, performers, lead artists, cinematographers, lead developers, and much more. We encourage the industry to take notice.”