| With awards season about to go into hyperdrive, the shortlist for the BAFTA Orange Rising Star Award brought some early cheer for five of movieworld’s top up-and-comers when it was revealed in London today. Like our very own Empire Awards, the BAFTA Rising Star is decided by moviegoers, making the award a particularly cherished accolade. Announced at BAFTA’s Piccadilly HQ, the shortlist includes: Michael Fassbender, who may need to clear more space on his mantlepiece, with the nomination coming hot on the heels of a Best Actor gong for Hunger at the British Independent Film Awards. Success has been hard-earned over the past 12 months though: the Irish/German actor lost 16kg to play the role of IRA hunger-striker Bobby Sands, and found himself chased around Eden Lake by hoodies in another of 2008’s stand-out British films. Rebecca Hall, who made her breakthrough in The Prestige and will soon be appearing on our screens in Frost/Nixon and Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Noel Clarke, another to experience BIFA success with his script for Kidulthood which helped Menhaj Huda pick up the Best Debut Director gong, directed and starred in follow-up Adulthood, and will soon be returning to our screens opposite Timothy Spall in Brit thriller Heartless. Toby Kebbell, who lit up Control with his pant-clad portrayal of Joy Division manager Rob Gretton, appeared as Johnny Quid in RocknRolla last year and has just finished filming Bruckheimer’s blockbusting Prince Of Persia. Michael Cera, the solo Stateside representation, is currently making a splash on the other side of the pond with Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist, after loping his way into our hearts in Juno and Superbad. Who will win? As Big Brother’s resident Geordie says, you decide. Pick your favourite and visit the Orange BAFTA website here to cast your vote. The winner will be announced at the BAFTA ceremony on Sunday February 8th.
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