Who and why?
The shortlist has been compiled by our network and panel of experts. You can find out more information on your chosen nominee, or simply find out more about the shortlist entries in general.
The shortlist has been compiled by our network and panel of experts. You can find out more information on your chosen nominee, or simply find out more about the shortlist entries in general.
McKnight and Francis are the co-founders of 7 Inch Cinema, a mobile film organisation based in the UK, and directors of Birmingham's annual Flatpack Festival. They've built up a reputation for bringing mix-tape programming to unexpected venues.
Directors Brett & Jamison co-own and run Archer's Mark, a film company that takes pride in its independent spirit. At their Shoreditch office, advertising projects rub shoulders with drama and music promos, as well as education programmes designed to open the industry up to disadvantaged young people.
Arterton rocketed to stardom by playing iconic Bond girl Strawberry Fields in ‘Quantum of Solace’. She held leading roles in both the remake of the classic film ‘St Trinian’s’ and BBC’s critically acclaimed ‘Tess of the D'Urbervilles’ . Since then, Arterton's career has gone from strength to strength, having starred in blockbuster lead roles from ‘Clash of the Titans’ and 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time' to the independent film 'The Disappearance of Alice Creed'. She will next be seen in Stephen Frears' much-anticipated ‘Tamara Drewe'.
Has had a big year, with leading roles in 'The Wolfman' and 'The Young Victoria'. She is set to star in 'The Adjustment Bureau' alongside Matt Damon and is fast becoming a household name.
Creevy’s breakthrough picture 'Shifty' was sharp, gripping and had a great turn from Riz Ahmed. His next feature, an out-and-out gangster picture called 'Welcome To The Punch', should be on everyone’s must-watch radar.
Having written, created the visual effects and shot ‘Monsters’ himself, Edwards is a multi-talented director. It is very rare that you find someone who writes, produces, directs and creates all the digital effects on a film. He’s one to watch and will be for a long time.
Director of award-winning short 'We Are All Rwandans' and making her feature debut with anticipated road-trip picture 'Africa United' for Pathé, BBC Films and UKFC (out in the autumn), Paterson is being eyed for other, high-profile projects. She is one to watch.
Andrew has worked across film, TV, and radio with recent appearances in hits including the 2007 movies 'Lions for Lambs' and 'Boy A', as well as 2009's 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'. He is currently filming 'The Social Network', alongside actors Justin Timberlake and Jesse Eisenberg.
A relative newcomer to film, Jonathan Ross’ wife Jane Goldman, co-wrote 'Stardust' and recently wrote and co-produced 'Kick-Ass', a film which caused controversy for its portrayal of a child assassin in the lead role
First noted by critics after writing and directing controversial 2007 TV film 'Secret Life', Joffe won the 'Best Fiction Director' BAFTA for his film 'The Shooting of Thomas Hurndall'. His most recent work is a highly-anticipated feature adaptation of Graham Greene's novel 'Brighton Rock', which he wrote and directed.
Initially gaining recognition in Sam Taylor Wood's critically acclaimed 'Nowhere Boy', Johnson recently starred in smash hit 'Kick Ass'. His upcoming work will include 'Kick-Ass 2: Balls to the Wall' and Hideo Nakata's thriller 'Chatroom'.
Miller co-founded Little White Lies - an independent film magazine which is gaining cult status. Miller is at the head of a bright collection of writers and artists and also founded The Church of London, a creative agency focusing on anything from publishing and writing, to filmmaking and design.
An up and coming British star. Poots is only 20, but has landed various notable film roles, namely in 'Jane Eyre' and 'Hello Darkness', which is in pre-production stages.
Riggall contributes to cinema through a variety of events and enterprises. Founder of Future Shorts in 2003, the largest short film network, which allows filmmakers the opportunity to have their work seen on the largest theatrical platform worldwide. The creator of Secret Cinema, which brings live cinematic experiences to unusual locations around the UK, Riggall looks to create experiences in film that both celebrate and grow the medium around the world.
Richardson and Niblo co-founded Vertigo Films in 2002, and recently produced 'Monsters' and the first UK 3D film 'Street Dance'.
From '28 Days Later...' to 'The Last King Of Scotland' and the upcoming 'Never Let Me Go', Reich and Macdonald's company produces diverse, engaging features with no lack of ambition or smarts.
They sold their company Optimum Releasing to France's StudioCanal and are now running one of the best-capitalised, most ambitious distributors in the UK. Add to that a new production initiative which includes 'Brighton Rock' starring Sam Riley and Helen Mirren and 'Attack The Block' and they are soaring.
As co-Chairmen of Working Title films, Bevan and Fellner are two shoe-in choices for established figures in the Film industry. They have achieved the near impossible - created a very successful production company in a country where the film business is subject to repeated predictions of failure.
Danny Boyle, the Oscar-winning director of "Slumdog Millionaire," and whose past credits include
'Trainspotting' and '28 Days Later' has just been announced as the artistic director of the Olympics ceremony to be held on July 27, 2012.
'Adulthood' established him as a director, '4.3.2.1' proves he has range (he stars,produces,writes and directs) - plus ambition and energy to boot, as evidenced by his recent production deal with Icon, which will see him producing commerical movies as far from arthouse as you can imagine.
The handsome Irish actor had a bumper year, giving iconic performances in 'Fish Tank' and 'Inglourious Basterds'. He is set to get even bigger with the lead role in violent Roman epic 'Centurion', Hollywood comic book pic 'Jonah Hex', Steven Soderbergh's action pic 'Knockout', playing Rochester in 'Jane Eyre' and Carl Jung in David Cronenberg's 'A Dangerous Method'.
Firth has become one of the most respected British actors. He won a BAFTA for Best Actor in 'A Single Man' and was Oscar-nominated for the same. Firth is playing King George VI in the upcoming 'The King's Speech', directed by Tom Hooper.
Director of the second and third installments of the high-grossing 'Bourne Triology'. During filming of the latter, he orchestrated a change of the ending two weeks before its release, pulling Matt Damon from the set of 'Ocean’s 12', but achieving a 10 point increase in test screenings. The first head of Directors UK and ranked as the 28th most intelligent person in Hollywood by US Entertainment Weekly.
Director of recent hit independent film 'The Damned United' and upcoming 'The King's Speech' starring Colin Firth, Geoffrey Rush, Helena Bonham Carter, Guy Pearce. Currently working on film of 'Long Walk to Freedom' based on Mandela's autobiography.
She's only been Creative Director at BBC Films for a year but with her budget of £12 million/year, she oversaw the completion of 'An Education', 'Fish Tank' and 'In The Loop' and has initiated 'Tamara Drewe' with director Stephen Frears, 'Jane Eyre' with Cary Fukunaga and Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut.
A founder of Shooting People which has create a huge network of filmmakers that are transforming the independent film scene. An award winning writer/director, recently a Rockefeller and MacDowell fellow.
Leigh is a consistent talent in directing; responsible for several important and successful films such as 'Naked' and 'Secrets & Lies'. He recently made the indie hit 'Happy-Go-Lucky' and critically acclaimed 'Vera Drake'. His latest film, 'Another Year' is currently in production.
Neil’s most recent work includes the hit 'Kick-Ass', 'Nowhere Boy', 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll' and 4.3.2.1
Nevill directs a dynamic and diverse programme at the BFI and BFI Southbank and is one of the most influential names in British film culture. The London Film Festival continues to go from strength to strength.
Academy Award nominated for 'Elizabeth' and MD at Ruby Films. Owen recently completed filming 'Jane Eyre' and had two films premiering at Cannes 2010. She is a producer on Hideo Nakata's 'Chatroom' and Stephen Frears' 'Tamara Drewe'. Through Ruby Films, Owen has produced such films as 'The Other Boleyn Girl' and 'Brick Lane'.
Producer of 'My Summer Of Love' and on the producing team of the first four Harry Potter movies, Seghatchian sealed her growing influence by securing the prestigious post of Head of the UK Film Council Film Fund - the new £15m-a-year Production and Development Fund, which is the single largest pot of public funding for film in the UK and is set to shape British cinema over the next three years.
Last year she won an Oscar and a BAFTA for her role in 'Michael Clayton'. She has cracked the American film industry, creating a strong presence in both Hollywood and independent film. Swinton has also produced and starred in the hugely successful 'Io Sono L'amore', which she developed over 11 years.
Winkleman has established herself as a well-known TV presenter, with a respected opinion on all both TV and Film happenings. She has recently been named as Jonathan Ross' successor in the highly influential 'Film 2010' on BBC.