No Superhero Film Plans from Tyler Perry

Since its inception in 1998, the British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs) have emerged as a pivotal platform showcasing emerging talent in the film industry. Initially perceived as a rough counterpart to the BAFTAs, the BIFAs have become a reliable indicator of future stardom for both on-screen and off-screen talent. The prestigious BIFAs Breakthrough Performance Award, formerly known as the Most Promising Newcomer Award, recognizes exceptional newcomers who are making significant waves in the industry.

Over the past two decades, renowned actors like Jamie Bell and Ben Whishaw have been honored with this award, paving the way for a new generation of talent. Other notable winners include Dev Patel, Naomi Ackie, and Jessie Buckley. While acclaimed talents such as Emily Blunt, John Boyega, and Mia Goth have been nominated, they continue to showcase their remarkable skills in the industry, demonstrating the competitive nature of this prestigious recognition.

As anticipation builds for this year’s nominees, they express a mix of excitement and nerves about their future prospects. In an exclusive interview with Variety ahead of the awards ceremony on December 8, five nominees — Nykiya Adams (“Fowl”), Susan Chardy (“On Becoming a Guinea Fowl”), Ruaridh Mollica (“Sebastian”), Saura Lightfoot-Leon (“Horde”), and Jason Patel (“Unicorns”) — candidly discuss their journey, the challenges of first-time festival experiences, and their upcoming projects that mark the beginning of their cinematic careers.

Meet Nykiya Adams: Rising Star in “Fowl”

When casting director Lucy Pardee visited Nykiya Adams’ school in London to find a talented teenager to portray the pivotal character Bailey in Andrea Arnold’s drama “Fowl,” she initially focused her attention on Adams’ older sister. However, due to age constraints, the spotlight shifted to Nykiya, who was just 12 at the time. This unexpected turn opened the door for the now 14-year-old actress to step into the limelight alongside Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski, and Jasmine Jobson, showcasing her remarkable talent.

In what would be her first acting role, “Fowl” took Adams to the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year, where the film competed in the main category. Describing her experience on the red carpet as surreal, she remarked, “It felt like a dream.” Watching herself for the first time on the big screen was a memorable moment, initially causing her to cover her eyes until she gradually became comfortable with the experience. The thrill of Cannes has undoubtedly set the stage for her future endeavors in the film industry.

Despite the glamour of Cannes, Adams eagerly anticipated sharing her experience with her friends back at school. She expressed how proud her best friend was of her, remaining humble about the achievement, while other classmates excitedly exclaimed, “You’re in a movie!” This blend of support and excitement from her peers has fueled her passion for acting even further.

Looking ahead, Adams aspires to balance her burgeoning acting career with her passion for sports, which she intends to pursue after completing her education. With Jobson’s agent already scouting for more roles, the future looks bright for her. If she could choose any director for a future project, it would be Rapman, with the ambition to act alongside Ashley Walters, showcasing her desire to work with the best in the industry.

Susan Chardy: From Modeling to Acting in “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl”

Susan Chardy shares her journey into acting, which came later in her life after establishing a successful career as a model and entrepreneur. Despite her accomplishments, the passion for acting had always lingered since childhood. She had previously made attempts to break into the industry, even landing an audition with acclaimed director Steve McQueen a decade ago for an HBO series that ultimately did not come to fruition. “He wanted to see me, and I was so close to getting the role,” recalls Chardy, who was born in Zambia and raised in the UK. “It was a significant moment for me because everyone grapples with imposter syndrome. If Steve McQueen sees something in you, you must pay attention to that voice and not the doubts surrounding you.”

Fast forward a decade, and her dream has come true in almost the perfect way. Chardy takes on the lead role in “On Becoming a Guinea Fowl,” which is the highly anticipated sophomore film from Zambian/Welsh filmmaker Rungano Nyoni, set and filmed entirely in Zambia. The film premiered at Cannes, receiving critical acclaim and becoming one of the most talked-about features at the festival.

“Honestly, if anyone had told me that I would be starring in a Zambian film, in my mother tongue, and it would premiere at Cannes, I don’t think that would have ever crossed my mind,” she reflects. Chardy embraced the experience by bringing her family along to the south of France, including her ex-tennis professional husband and their four-year-old son, making it a memorable family excursion.

A striking still from the film — captured from its opening scene and showcased in Cannes — features Chardy in a car, adorned with a dazzling sci-fi headpiece, which amused her son greatly.

“He thought mummy was a superhero. So, I told him, well, mummy is a superhero, just a different kind,” she laughs. A blown-up black-and-white print of this scene now hangs proudly on one of Chardy’s walls at home, reminding her of this significant milestone in her evolving career.

Ruaridh Mollica: Spotlight on “Sebastian”

Ruaridh Mollica reflects on his unexpected journey to the Sundance Film Festival, which marked a significant milestone for him with his lead role in “Sebastian.” This film represents not only his first lead role but also, as he describes, “technically” his first film experience. “It was absolutely surreal. We arrived, and suddenly people recognized you because they had been going through the brochures. You feel like you’re in this bubble of creatives,” he recounts.

Emerging from this creative bubble, “Sebastian” — a poignant queer drama in which Mollica portrays a writer navigating life as a sex worker — quickly gained traction at the festival, positioning him as a rising star. However, his journey almost took a different turn; Mollica had considered abandoning his acting dreams to pursue a degree in computer science. A chance lead role in a Scottish short film reignited his passion, arriving just a day after he decided to quit acting. This was followed by a role in the BBC drama “Red Rose,” marking a turning point in his career.

The decision to pivot back into acting has proven to be fortuitous for Mollica. After Sundance, the surge of interest led his agent to send him to Los Angeles, where he met with casting directors, producers, and industry executives. He ultimately signed with Range Media Partners, a significant step in his burgeoning career.

“It really makes you think about fate and those kinds of things,” Mollica muses about his close call with a drastically different career path. “In those moments when you’re about to give up, something tells you, ‘No, keep going.’” This realization has fueled his determination and resilience in pursuing his dreams.

Recently, Mollica starred in Armando Iannucci and Sam Mendes’ superhero satire series “The Franchise,” and he has exciting upcoming projects, including Stephen Graham’s Apple TV+ series “A Thousand Blows” and a Channel 4 series titled “Summer Water.” On the film front, he stars in “Sukkwan Island” alongside Swann Arlaud, Woody Norman, and Alma Pöystri, which was filmed in the breathtaking Arctic Circle.

Saura Lightfoot-Leon: Breaking Boundaries in “Hoard”

In contrast to her fellow nominees at the BIFA Breakthrough Performance Awards, Saura Lightfoot-Leon made her mark three years ago with her captivating performance