Entertainment · Film · 3 hrs ago
Imran Perretta Named to 2026 BAFTA Breakthrough Cohort
Imran Perretta has joined the 2026 U.K. BAFTA Breakthrough cohort, which is supported by Netflix.
Perretta is the writer-director of Ish, his debut feature film, set in Luton near London.
The film follows two teenage friends facing police harassment after a stop-and-search, and the consequences that follow.
Ish stars Farhan Hasnat, Yahya Kitana and Sudha Bhuchar, and won the audience award at 2025 Venice Critics’ Week.
Its themes include racial profiling and police powers, issues Perretta says have become timely across Western countries.
The film has been shown at community and activist screenings in several countries, as well as reaching broader audiences.
Perretta says the film has prompted political conversations, and it continues to appear at festivals.
Writer-director Imran Perretta was named to the 2026 U.K. BAFTA Breakthrough cohort.
The cohort is supported by Netflix.
Perretta’s debut feature, Ish, centers on racial profiling and a police stop-and-search in the U.K.
The film won the audience award at the 2025 Venice Critics’ Week.
Perretta said the film has reached audiences beyond those who are politically engaged.
- Who
- Imran Perretta, a writer-director and multidisciplinary artist.
- What
- He was named to the 2026 U.K. BAFTA Breakthrough cohort.
- When
- Wednesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Ish won the audience award at Venice Critics’ Week.
Perretta was revealed as a member of the 2026 U.K. BAFTA Breakthrough cohort.
- Cohort
- 2026 U.K. BAFTA Breakthrough
- Cohort support
- Netflix
- Film
- Ish
- Award
- Audience award at the 2025 Venice Critics’ Week
- Setting
- Luton, near London
1 source
What people are saying
What I didn’t expect was that it would speak to a much broader audience
I’m super surprised in a good way and also really proud of that
So many Western countries have taken this authoritarian turn where the police have been given powers that really extend beyond [traditional powers]