Actress Julie Walters has said it’s “vitally important to support the next generation of talent”.

She joined other key industry figures, among them Star Trek Into Darkness actress Alice Eve and Kidulthood’s Noel Clarke, to announce this year’s line-up for the annual Bafta Breakthrough Brits event.

Julie Walters at the BAFTA Breakthrough Brits 2015
(Joel Ryan/AP/PA)

Radio 1 DJ Greg James hosted the event, held in association with Burberry, at their flagship shop in London’s Regent Street.

Greg James attending the BAFTA Breakthrough Brits 2015
(Ian West/PA)

The 18 honourees were chosen by a panel of jurors that included Clarke, Broadchurch screenwriter Chris Chibnall, Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer and Grantchester actor James Norton.

Noel Clark at the the BAFTA Breakthrough Brits 2015
(Joel Ryan/Invision/PA)

The Bafta Breakthrough Brits event started in 2013 and celebrates the most promising new talent across film, television and games.

Among the 18 newcomers chosen were actress Aysha Kala who starred in Channel 4′s hit drama Indian Summers, games developer Chris Davis and writer Tess Morris who penned the script for 2015′s Man Up, which starred Simon Pegg and Lake Bell.

Imitation Game actor Alex Lawther, who played the young Alan Turing in The Imitation Game and playwright Laura Wade are also on the breakthrough list.

Edith Bowman at the BAFTA Breakthrough Brits 2015
(Joel Ryan/Invision/PA)

Laura’s play Posh was adapted into the 2014 hit film The Riot Club.

Amanda Berry OBE and chief executive of Bafta said: “We’re thrilled to announce the 2015 Bafta Breakthrough Brits, in partnership with Burberry.

“Now in its third year, Breakthrough Brits showcases exciting new talent across film, television and games, and supports them – with mentoring and inspiration from leading industry figures – as they take the next steps in their career. I’m particularly pleased there are so many female Breakthrough Brits this year, and from a variety of specialisms including cinematography, games design and sound where women are often under-represented.”