In its 11th year, the BAFTA Breakthrough initiative once again showcases a diverse and talented cohort of creatives. Among these 43 rising stars, Kyla Harris and Otto Baxter stand out – not only for their artistic contributions but also for their impactful advocacy and representation of disabled individuals in the creative industries. Their work challenges societal norms, amplifies underrepresented voices, and underscores the power of inclusive storytelling.
Read: Looking Back At 15 Talented Disabled People Recognised As BAFTA Breakthrough Artists
Celebrating BAFTA Breakthrough talent in the screen arts
On Thursday 21st November, BAFTA announced the 2024 BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, featuring 43 ‘must-watch’ creatives working in film, games and television from the UK, US and India. BAFTA Breakthrough is the arts charity’s flagship talent initiative supported by Netflix, providing a springboard to creatives spanning craft specialisms from costume design, production,
casting, editing and game design, to performance, directing, composing and cinematography.
Awarded to those in the midst, or on the cusp, of their breakthrough moment, the year-long initiative includes one-to-one meetings and career guidance, full voting membership, access to BAFTA events and screenings, as well as networking events, both in the UK and internationally.
This year’s cohort emphasises the organisation’s commitment to promoting diversity, accessibility, and innovation within the screen arts. The inclusion of Kyla Harris and Otto Baxter underscores the significance of recognising disabled creatives not as exceptions but as integral contributors to the industry.
BAFTA Breakthrough alumni have included Ruth Madeley, Rose Ayling-Ellis, George Robinson and Tim Renkow.
Through initiatives like this, the narrative around disability in entertainment is shifting – from one of marginalisation to one of celebration and inclusion. The work of Kyla and Otto exemplifies how representation can inspire change and open doors for future generations of disabled artists.
Kyla Harris: redefining disability representation through comedy-drama
Kyla Harris is the Lead Performer, Co-Creator, Co-Writer and Associate Producer of
We Might Regret This, the BBC comedy-drama, which she co-created with her longtime friend and former film school classmate Lee Getty.
This trailblazing series places disability representation front and centre as disabled artist Freya (also played by Kyla) gets to grips with sharing all aspects of her life with her non-disabled partner and best friend, who becomes her personal assistant.
Inspired by Kyla and Lee’s own experience – Lee worked as Kyla’s PA for a time – We Might Regret This masterfully marries frank, authentic storytelling with a level of light wit and awkward humour that rivals some of television’s very best. Such has been its success the BBC recently announced its recommission of two more seasons.
Kyla is also chair of the BFI’s disability advisory group, We Crip Film and Lee is co-founder of the Women, Trans and Non-Binary Film Network.
Canadian-born Kyla, who is tetraplegic and uses a wheelchair, said: “We really believe in the power of empathy in terms of storytelling and what that can do. What we want to do is show that unseen stories need more nuanced and authentic representation. Disabled people need to be seen as whole people who live full lives; we don’t live between these binaries of tragedy and inspiration. That mould needs to be broken.”
Lee added: “We’re both very much interested in writing, producing and show running. We believe in the importance of a creator holding a vision, from conception through to the edit and all the way to completion. I think this comes from our understanding that this is how you get the most authentic perspective. It’s not like you bring someone in with a ‘diverse perspective’ and they paint the house that you built. It needs to be part of the foundation and held all the way through.
Watch We Might Regret This on BBC iPlayer. Follow Kyla Harris on Instagram.
Otto Baxter: shaping narratives and breaking boundaries about Down’s syndrome
Suppose the key to understanding someone is to experience life from their point of view. In that case, writer, director and performer Otto Baxter has created an insightful and potent exploration of what it’s like to have Down’s syndrome for a major British broadcast channel.
The Puppet Asylum, which screened in cinemas in September and is streaming on NOW TV, saw the filmmaker taking control of his own narrative and exploring his disability through a mix of horror, comedy and song. His rollercoaster journey to make the film is captured in the documentary Otto Baxter: Not A F-ing Horror Story (2024).
Otto says performing, writing and directing are in his blood, “and it comes from the heart”. His passion and imagination originally led him to the stage, over the years, performing the likes of Shakespeare and, most recently, Waiting for Godot and he wants to continue performing and potentially directing theatre.
He’s also part of a drag troupe called Drag Syndrome, is developing his first full feature, the Christmas horror film Satan Claus, and is keen to launch a celebrity interview show that he’d host called A Weekend at Otto’s.
Reacting to his BAFTA Breakthrough selection, Otto said: “I want to direct more films. I’d like to do a game. I’d like to be a host, like Jonathan Ross… I want to learn more things. I’ve done one film. I want to make more and there’s a lot to learn about how a film is put together… It’s a good way to express myself… Representation is very important to me. I’d like the balance to be 50-50 between disabled people and non-disabled people. I want equal balance.”
Watch The Puppet Asylum on Sky and NOW TV. Follow Otto Baxter on Instagram.
View the full list of the 43 2024 BAFTA Breakthrough artists.