AND THE ORANGE RISING STAR AWARD NOMINEES FOR 2007 ARE…
Winner to be revealed at The Orange British Academy Film Awards
Earlier this week James McAvoy, the 2006 winner of The Orange Rising Star Award, announced this year’s nominees for The Orange British Academy Film Awards. The award recognises five young international actors and actresses who have demonstrated exceptional talent and have begun to capture the imagination of the public as a star in the making. The five nominees are: Ben Whishaw, Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, Eva Green and Naomie Harris.
The Orange Rising Star Award is unique as it is the only Award to be voted for by the British public. Film fans can have their say by voting via the Orange website orange.co.uk/bafta; or via text message*. The winner will be announced at The Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 11 February 2007
To vote for:
Ben Whishaw text ORSA BEN to 81800
Cillian Murphy text ORSA CILLIAN to 81800
Emily Blunt text ORSA EMILY to 81800
Eva Green text ORSA EVA to 81800
Naomie Harris text ORSA NAOMIE to 81800
A jury consisting of respected industry figures, including Anthony Minghella CBE, Thandie Newton and last year’s winner, James McAvoy, selected the five nominees from a long list of recommendations put forward by the film industry and BAFTA members.
Nominees must have featured in a film that qualified for this year’s Orange British Academy Film Awards. The Orange Rising Star Award is not intended to be a pure beginner’s award, and nominees will have generally already appeared in several feature films in their career so far.
The Orange Rising Star Award was created in honour of Mary Selway, the highly respected BAFTA-winning casting director whose career spanned three decades and over ninety films before she died in 2004. Mary helped launch the careers of many stars in films as varied as Gosford Park, Master & Commander, Notting Hill and Withnail & I, among countless others. She worked with notable directors such as Steven Spielberg, Roman Polanski, Clint Eastwood and Ridley Scott, contributing to the creation of some of the silver screen's most memorable characters.
James McAvoy commented: "This award is very special because it's in honour of Mary Selway, somebody who cared about nurturing talent and not just about finding the next big thing for the next five minutes. It's doubly special because the audience vote for it, it feels nice to know that they are rooting for you."
Hattie Evans, Head of Film at Orange, commented: “This year, as Orange celebrates a significant 10 year partnership with BAFTA, we are proud of our ongoing support to the British film industry and will continue to highlight emerging talent with the only award to be voted for by the British public.
“Like last year, there is a superb shortlist of acting talent for The Orange Rising Star Award. Although undoubtedly it will be a tough call, we are pleased to be able to offer the public the chance to have their say in who they think is the best emerging talent around.“
David Parfitt, Chairman of the BAFTA Film Committee, said: "As the only audience award, it certainly raises the profile of young actors and actresses within our industry.
“Promoting and supporting the next generation of talent is essential and this is why it’s important to have awards in place such as The Orange Rising Star Award.”
For more information on The Orange Rising Star Award, visit www.orange.co.uk/bafta.
*Text cost 25p plus a standard network charge. Network charges may vary.
