Awards season is fast approaching, meaning there are only four months to go until the cream of the acting world descend on London for the most glamorous event in its calendar - The BAFTAs. And on Monday I had the honour of being on the jury for the Bafta EE Rising Star Award which in the past has been won by the likes of James McAvoy, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter and Kristen Stewart.
[Grazia's News and Entertainment Editor Lottie Lumsden and fellow juror Alice Eve]
It’s one of the highlights in Grazia’s calendar, and on the jury with me this year was actress Alice Eve, actor and director Dexter Fletcher, casting director Nina Gold, jury chair and Deputy Chair of the BAFTA’s Film Committee Pippa Harris and Les Misérables producer Debra Hayward among others. So not daunting at all then... We all met at BAFTA HQ in London’s Piccadilly on Monday morning where we spent three hours whittling down a long list of actors and actresses to a shortlist of five who the public will be able to vote on from January 7.
[The jury deliberate in BAFTA's boardroom]
I was very nervous on arrival, given that I would be in a room with – and expected to sound knowledgeable in front of - some of the most influential people in film. But the nerves soon subsided as we discussed everyone on the list, and I found myself fighting my favourites' corner. Now it’s a case of waiting until the five nominees are announced on 7 January, when we will all return to BAFTA HQ.
It will be made up from young actors and actresses who have demonstrated exceptional talent and ambition and who have begun to capture the imagination of the British public. In fact, it’s the only BAFTA that is voted for by the public so if you want to have your say and see your favourite soon-to-be A-lister take home what might be their first of many awards then stay tuned - we’ll be bringing you all the info you need to make your vote count.