Timothée Chalamet, Daniel Kaluuya, Josh O’Connor, Florence Pugh and Tessa Thompson are this year’s nominees for the EE Rising Star Award.
The award was created in honour of highly respected BAFTA-winning casting director Mary Selway, whose career spanned three decades and over ninety films before she died in 2004, and is the only award at the EE British Academy Film Awards to be voted for by the public.
This year the EE Rising Star jury panel, who were tasked with selecting the five nominees from a vast list of upcoming talented actors and actresses, included jury chair Marc Samuelson, actress Georgina Campbell, film broadcaster Edith Bowman, BAFTA award-winning director, Philippa Lowthorpe, casting director Lucy Bevan and other leading industry specialists and entertainment journalists.
Edith Bowman, EE Rising Star Award juror and film broadcaster, said: “Announcing this year’s nominees has been an extraordinary experience.
“Having been on the jury panel for the past two years, I’ve been tasked with helping to select each nominee from a pool of incredible talent, but to then play a part in revealing this selection to the nation has truly been an honour.
“Now we hand over responsibility to film fans all over the UK, as this is the only BAFTA award voted for by them. So, check out these incredible performances and get voting!”
Mat Sears, Director of Communications & Sponsorship at EE, added: “This year marks the 13th year of the EE Rising Star Award and the nominees are as strong as ever.
“The diversity of the performances and the films in which they have featured shows how much young acting talent is out there.
“We’re incredibly proud to be able to recognise these actors and actresses in partnership with BAFTA and most importantly, give the public the unique opportunity to choose who wins this very special BAFTA through their vote.”
Voting is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA and the winner will be announced at the EE British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 18 February 2018.