The Scottish Games Network is delighted at the inclusion of two outstanding Scottish talents, Cara Ellison and Kyle Banks, in the prestigious BAFTA Breakthrough 2025 cohort.
BAFTA Breakthrough is one of the industry’s most respected talent initiatives, identifying and supporting the next generation of creative stars across film, television, and games in the UK and US. Inclusion in the programme is a significant achievement, reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional creativity and skill and are now ready to make the next major step in their careers.
What is BAFTA Breakthrough?
The programme provides a year of bespoke support to its participants, including:
- Mentorship: Access to world-class industry professionals.
- Networking: Opportunities to connect with BAFTA members and leading creatives globally.
- Showcasing: Promotion of their work to a wider audience.
The goal is to provide a crucial launchpad, removing barriers and helping the participants build successful, long-term careers in the creative industries.
Championing Scottish Talent
The selection of both Cara Ellison and Kyle Banks in the same year is a powerful statement about the quality and diversity of talent emerging from the Scottish games ecosystem.
Cara Ellison has built a stellar reputation as a writer, narrative designer, and critic, working on an incredible range of high-profile creative projects that push the boundaries of storytelling in games. Her recognition highlights the increasing importance of narrative and cultural criticism within interactive entertainment.
Kyle Banks is the creator of 2024’s critically-acclaimed Farewell North, which left players and reviewers around the world profoundly impacted by its handling of loss, hope and saying farewell.
This achievement serves as a vital beacon for the entire Scottish games sector. It validates the ongoing work – from the Games Action Plan to initiatives like Hello World! – that are focused on creating clear pathways for professional growth and development. Cara and Kyle are excellent examples of Scottish talent being recognised on the global stage.
We offer our warmest congratulations to both Cara and Kyle and look forward to tracking their continued success as they move through the BAFTA programme.
You can find the complete list of the BAFTA Breakthrough 2025 cohort on the BAFTA website.
mega gongrats to Kyle Banks for farewell North. got it on xbox series on day one and its a good story.