Introduction
The British Independent Film Awards (Bifas) 2025 has announced its longlist for the Breakthrough Performance Award, featuring 15 talented actors. Among the nominees are actors from Daisy-May Hudson’s "lollipop" and Nadia Falls’ "brides".
Nominees from Notable Films
Three actors from Hudson’s first feature film "lollipop" have been nominated: Posy Sterling, Idil Ahmed, and Tegan-Mia Stanley Rhoads. Sterling was previously named a "Screen Star of Tomorrow" in 2023. Ebada Hassan and Safiyya Ingar, stars of the debut film "brides", have also made the list. Additionally, three actors from Stroma Cairns’ "The Son and the Sea" have been nominated: Stanley Brock, Connor Tompkins, and Jonah West.
Other Notable Nominees
Yasmin Finney, a "Screen Star of Tomorrow" in 2022, has been nominated for her role in Ronan Corrigan’s "LifeHack", alongside co-star Georgie Farmer. Jade Croot, a 2025 "Screen Star", has also been nominated for her role in "Rabbit trap".
Bifa Breakthrough Performance Longlist 2025
The longlisted talent will all be welcomed into the Bifa and We Are Bridge program for breakthrough artists, a six-month development and support program. The program includes sessions on career development, wellbeing, casting, and financial literacy, as well as networking opportunities.
The Longlist
- Idil Ahmed – "lollipop"
- Stanley Brock – "The Son and the Sea"
- Jade Croot – "Rabbit trap"
- Georgie Farmer – "LifeHack"
- Yasmin Finney – "LifeHack"
- Farhan Hasnat – "Ish"
- Ebada Hassan – "brides"
- Safiyya Ingar – "brides"
- Yahya Kitana – "Ish"
- Polly Maberly – "Odyssey"
- Tegan Mia Stanley Rhoads – "lollipop"
- Posy Sterling – "lollipop"
- Connor Tompkins – "The Son and the Sea"
- Scott Ellis Watson – "I swear"
- Jonah West – "The Son and the Sea"
Next Steps
The final five nominees in the Breakthrough Achievement category will be announced on Monday, November 3rd. The winner will be announced at the Bifa ceremony on Sunday, November 30th at the Roundhouse venue in Camden, London. Previous winners in Bifa’s groundbreaking performance category include Vivian Oparah, Naomi Ackie, Dev Patel, Ben Whishaw, and Jamie Bell. The Bifa longlists for the New Talent Awards, Short Films, Documentaries, International Awards, and Maverick Awards will be announced next week.
