Simon Pegg

Simon Pegg

Orange today announced that leading British actors Simon Pegg and Sienna Miller (a nominee herself in 2008) have joined the influential jury for the Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award, which yesterday met to cast the final votes for the longlist of nominees upon which the British public will vote.

The winner will be announced at the Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 12 February 2012.

The Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award honours a young actor or actress of any nationality who has demonstrated exceptional talent and ambition, and has begun to capture the imagination of the British public as a film star in the making. Previous winners have included James McAvoy, Kristen Stewart and Noel Clarke, with 2011’s nominees including Gemma Arterton, Andrew Garfield, Aaron Johnson, Emma Stone and winner Tom Hardy.

The award is the only one at the ceremony voted for by members of the public, and is a hotly-contested accolade for up-and-coming film talent.

Simon Pegg commented: "Joining the jury for the award was such an exciting prospect as it means you get to watch so many brilliant films and performances in the name of research.

"The award has a great track record for celebrating actors that really strike a chord with cinema goers, and with such great up and coming talent out there at the minute I think they’re going to be spoilt for choice."

Simon and Sienna will join a raft of leading figures from across the film industry, including jury chair Pippa Harris, Deputy Chairman of BAFTA’s Film Committee and 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), film publicist Kate Lee as well as selected members of the film and arts media.

Many of the jury have discovered, worked alongside or supported rising stars throughout their careers.

The Orange Wednesdays Rising Star Award jury’s role is to select a longlist of eight nominees from the hundreds of submissions made by the BAFTA membership, film industry figures and members of the arts media.

This longlist is then voted on by Orange customers, including those who have used Orange Wednesdays and Orange Film To Go, throughout November and December to create a final list of five nominees which are announced in January 2012, when voting opens to the British public.  The final winner is announced at the Orange British Academy Film Awards on Sunday 13 February 2012.

Spencer McHugh, Brand Director at Orange UK added: "Our jury this year represents a stellar array of leading lights and talent from the British film industry.

"We’re of course particularly thrilled that Simon and Sienna have kindly offered their time and expertise in order to celebrate the film stars of tomorrow."

Jury Chair Pippa Harris: "I’m thrilled that so many talented Industry colleagues have made the time to take part in this year’s Orange Wednesdays Rising Star jury.

"The jury’s wealth of experience is a testament to how highly regarded this award is, and will ensure that the list of nominees represent the real stars of tomorrow."

Joining Simon, Sienna and other jurors are leading film and arts journalists Colin Kennedy (Metro), Alex O’Connell (The Times), Hannah Marriott (Grazia), Jonny Pile (Shortlist), Jamie Graham (Total Film) and Charles Gant (Heat).

The 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.

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.


Tagged in