Gemma Arterton on Panel for BAFTA ‘Rising Star’ Selections
Gemma Arterton is becoming, movie by movie, a name for people to remember. She has starred in Hollywood fare such as Clash of the Titans, Prince of Persia, and Hansel & Gretel Witch Hunters, and some interesting indie flicks like Neil Jordan’s Byzantium where she played a vampire, and Unfinished Song. Therefore it’s no surprise that she has been chosen to be a part of the panel choosing the new ‘Rising Star’ at the BAFTAS.
The award is unique for a few reasons. First, it’s chosen by a very small, select panel that includes directors and critics, and specifically on this year’s panel are director Kirk Jones, producer Pete Czernin and movie critic Mark Kermode. Secondly, it’s a good indicator of an actor who is really making a mark in mainstream Hollywood fare, indie films, British works, basically anything across the spectrum as far as being a working talent that has a strong range.
And yet the third reason is what is most striking – while this panel selects the nominees, it’s not the ones that choose it, nor are the other members who choose the other BAFTA awards – it’s the public that gets to decide who is the next ‘rising star’.
This is in contrast with the Academy Awards in the US who, at best, make the nomination itself a marker of ‘rising star’ status (i.e. Jennifer Lawrence in Winter’s Bone in 2011), or at best like the Independent Spirit Awards Breakthrough Director.
Also interesting is that Arteton herself was one of the nominees, a few years ago, but lost out to Tom Hardy. According to the guidelines as posted on The Hollywood Reporter, selected talent will “demonstrated exceptional talent and ambition,” and also will “have begun to capture the imagination of the British public.”
Nominees will be read January 6th, winners with the other BAFTAs on February 16th – sponsored by the EE telecoms giant.
