The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), is inviting nominations for a new initiative – Breakthrough Brits – where up to 20 talented newcomers will be selected by a BAFTA panel to take part in a day of in-depth career guidance and mentoring from leading industry figures at BAFTA’s headquarters in London in October. Those selected will go on to receive a year of free access to BAFTA events as well as mentoring and guidance sessions as they move into the next stage of their careers.

Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said, “It’s a fantastic opportunity for newcomers to showcase their work on a public stage, and to make the industry connections that are so important to developing their careers both nationally and internationally. We hope their achievement will inspire others taking their first steps into the film, television and games industries.”

Candidates must be UK nationals at the start of their career who are making a name for themselves as a performer or in a craft specialism within film, television or games, and have a credit on at least one production with a theatrical release, broadcast or publication in the UK between October 2012 and October 2013. The deadline for nominations is 10 AM on July 8.

A cross-industry jury of leading figures will select the successful Breakthrough Brits from a shortlist created by separate sub-committees of film, television and games professionals. A special publication featuring the Breakthrough Brits will be distributed to industry members across the UK.

Breakthrough Brits was formerly an initiative to unearth Black and Asian talent started by the now defunct UK Film Council.