Posted
by: Paul Heath
Date: January
5th, 2006
Source: BAFTA
The
Orange BAFTA Film Awards are taking place on the 19th February, and today, the
new Orange Rising Star Award was launched at BAFTA's HQ in Picadilly, London.
Broadcaster Mark Kermode, Head of Film at Orange UK Lesley Henry and Film Chairman
at BAFTA David Parfitt announced the five nominees for the new Orange Rising Star
award, which is voted for by the public. Gael Garcia Bernal, Chiwetel Ejiofor,
Rachel McAdams, James McAvoy and Michelle Williams are up for the award this year
and you can vote for your favourite by text message (so long as you are a UK resident).
Otherwise, you can vote via the Orange
site. Here are the details. 
The
Orange Rising Star Award, created in honour of casting director Mary Selway, celebrates
a young actor or actress of any nationality who has demonstrated exceptional talent
and ambition and who has already begun to capture the imagination of the British
public as a film star in the making. A
jury consisting of key senior industry figures, including Cate Blanchett and director
Sir Alan Parker CBE, selected the five nominees from a long list of recommendations
put forward by the film industry and BAFTA members.  Gael
Garcia Bernal
After studying acting in London, Mexican-born Gael got his
first major big screen role in the cult Mexican film Amores Perros (2000). But
it was his virtuoso performance as a teenage playboy in the provocative road movie
Y Tu Mama Tambien (And Your Mother Too, 2001), that has made him an international
star. After working with Pedro Almodovar in Bad Education, Gael went on to crown
his burgeoning career last year with a brilliant performance as a young Che Guevera
in The Motorcycle Diaries (2004). His most recent performance can be seen in The
King (2005).
 Chiwetel
Ejiofor
After gaining a scholarship to LAMDA, British-born Chiwetel made
his film debut in Steven Spielberg’s 1997 Amistad. He is now best known for
his performances in Love Actually, Dirty Pretty Things, Melinda & Melinda
and has worked with many great directors such as Spike Lee, Woody Allen, Richard
Curtis and Stephen Frears. His latest performances can be seen in Serenity and
Kinky Boots (2005).
Rachel McAdams
Canadian-born Rachel McAdams kick-started her career after
several film roles as queen-bitch in the teen comedy Mean Girls (2004). Then a
major part in the comedy hit, The Wedding Crashers (2005) alongside Vince Vaughan
and Owen Wilson really propelled her into the mainstream. Rachel is known for
her versatile performances and has most recently been seen in The Family Stone
and Wes Craven’s Red Eye (2005).
 James
McAvoy
James is already known to UK audiences as loveable thief Steve in
Paul Abbot's Shameless TV series and for his roguish role as Simon in Bright Young
Things (2003), Stephen Fry's adaptation of the Evelyn Waugh classic novel, Vile
Bodies. This Christmas saw him take up the role of charming Mr Tumnus, the faun
in the The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (2005),
the first of Disney's multi-million Narnia Chronicles.
 Michelle
Williams
US-born Michelle Williams is best known for her character in Dawson's
Creek. She played reformed bad girl, Jen Lindley in the long running teen drama
series. She then went on to appear in over fourteen films, including the librarian
role in the cult-hit The Station Agent (2003). She also starred in Wim Wender's
experimental political drama Land Of Plenty (2004). Her most recent screen appearance
is in Brokeback Mountain (2005), where she met fiancé Heath Ledger.
Vote
via this link, or via text message:
To
vote Gael Garcia Bernal text ORVOTE1 to 81800
To vote Michelle Williams text
ORVOTE2 to 81800
To vote James McAvoy text ORVOTE3 to 81800
To vote Rachel
McAdams text ORVOTE4 to 81800
To vote Chiwetel Ejiofor text ORVOTE5 to 81800 The
winner of The Orange
Rising Star Award will be announced at this year’s Orange British Academy
Film Awards on 19 February 2006. | 
