BAFTA Breakthrough Selects Filmmaker Laura Carreira Following Acclaimed Debut

Portuguese-Scottish director Laura Carreira has been named to the prestigious 2025 BAFTA Breakthrough list. The initiative, supported by Netflix, spotlights exceptional emerging talent in the U.K. film industry. Her selection follows a remarkable festival run for her debut feature, On Falling.

The film previously won the Silver Shell for best director at the San Sebastián International Film Festival. It also secured the Sutherland Award at the BFI London Film Festival. This official recognition from BAFTA marks a significant career milestone for the Edinburgh-based filmmaker.

On Falling Explores the Invisible Human Cost of the Gig Economy

Carreira’s film tells the story of Aurora, a Portuguese worker in a Scottish warehouse. It focuses on her experience with loneliness and alienation. The narrative critically examines the algorithm-driven nature of modern labor.

The director stated her intention was to spotlight an often invisible life. She wanted to reveal the human effort behind parcel delivery services. According to Carreira, companies often emphasize technological advances over the reality of manual labor.

From Editing Room to Director’s Chair: Carreira’s Unique Path

Carreira’s background is not in directing but in film editing. She credits this experience with teaching her most of what she knows about filmmaking. She is a strong believer that a film is truly made during the editing process.

She worked with editor Helle le Fevre on On Falling. Carreira initially entered the industry by editing documentaries out of necessity. This path eventually led her to create her first fiction short, Red Hill, which opened professional doors.

Her next project is a departure into new creative territory. She is currently finishing a script for a period piece. This new work is an adaptation of a book and will continue her thematic exploration of work and labor.

The BAFTA Breakthrough honor solidifies Laura Carreira’s position as a vital new voice in cinema. Her unique perspective on modern work continues to resonate with audiences and critics alike. This BAFTA Breakthrough selection ensures her compelling stories will reach even wider audiences.

Thought you’d like to know

What is the BAFTA Breakthrough program?

It is a talent initiative run by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. The program identifies and supports promising new filmmakers and industry professionals in the U.K. It is backed by Netflix.

What is Laura Carreira’s film ‘On Falling’ about?

The film follows a Portuguese worker in a Scottish warehouse. It explores her isolation within the modern gig economy. The story highlights the human cost behind automated parcel delivery systems.

Which awards has ‘On Falling’ won?

The film won the Silver Shell for best director at San Sebastián. It also received the Sutherland Award at the BFI London Film Festival. It was named best film at the Dublin Film Festival.

What is Laura Carreira’s next project?

She is adapting a book into a period piece screenplay. The new film will continue her focus on themes of work and labor. It will examine historical attitudes towards work from 200 years ago.

How did Carreira’s editing career influence her directing?

She believes editing is where you truly make a film. Her documentary editing work provided creative freedom and technical skill. This foundation was crucial for her transition to writing and directing fiction.