(Reposted from BAFTA website)
The five actors nominated for this year's Orange Wednesday Rising Star BAFTA have been unveiled, with homegrown and international talent contesting the prize.
Thor star Chris Hemsworth is shortlisted for the prize, along with his onscreen brother Tom Hiddleston, soon to be seen in Steven Spielberg's War Horse, before Hiddleston and Hemsworth reunite for this summer's The Avengers.
After his scene-stealing role in Bridesmaids, Irish actor Chris O'Dowd is also shortlisted while My Week with Marilyn's Eddie Redmayne caps an impressive year with a nomination for the only BAFTA voted for by the British public.
Completing the 2012 shortlist of five is Hackney-born Adam Deacon, who rose to fame in Noel Clarke'sKidulthood, later starring in Adulthood and 4.3.2.1, before directing and starring in Brit comedy and box office success Anuvahood.
Orange’s accolade for up and coming talent is the only award at the Orange British Academy Film Awards to be voted for by the public. Voting takes place both at orange.co.uk/bafta and via text*. The winner will be announced at the star-studded Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 12 February 2012.
Potential rising stars were proposed by BAFTA members and leading film industry insiders to create an initial list of contenders who have appeared in one or more feature films, with at least one of those films released in the current awards year, 1 January to 31 December 2011. The jury for the award featured a raft of leading figures from across the film industry, including actors Simon Pegg and Sienna Miller, jury chairPippa Harris, producing partner of Sam Mendes (Revolutionary Road, Jarhead), four-time Harry Potter director David Yates, producer Allon Reich (28 Weeks Later, The History Boys, The Last King of Scotland), casting director Nina Gold (The King’s Speech) and film publicist Kate Lee.
Pippa Harris, Orange Wednesdays Rising Star award jury chair and Deputy Chair of BAFTA's Film Committee, said: "It's great to involve the general public in championing the stars of the future, which is why the Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award is such a fantastic initiative. The jury had a tough job deciding the long list of eight, as we were spoilt for choice. With such an array of new talent, I can't wait to see who the public choose as their winner."
Spencer McHugh, Director of Brand at Orange, said: "With the award now in its seventh year, we continue to be awed by how enthusiastic the British public are when it comes to celebrating future film talent. The fact that figures such as Simon Pegg, Sienna Miller and the rest of our esteemed jury so kindly offer their time shows how the film world has embraced the award."
Now in its seventh year, the award has set a standard for identifying talent destined for super-stardom. Previous winners include James McAvoy in 2006, Eva Green in 2007, Shia LaBeouf in 2008, Noel Clarkein 2009, Kristen Stewart in 2010 and Tom Hardy in 2011.
To vote, visit www.bafta.orange.co.uk/rising-star-award/
