Alicia Vikander, Jo Hartley and Naomi Ackie join the jury for the BAFTA EE Rising Star Award

A trio of actresses have been added to the BAFTA EE Rising Star Award jury to select the 2021 shortlist.

Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander, This Is England actress Jo Hartley and BAFTA-winning actress Naomi Ackie have joined the list, alongside a roster of industry experts, who have already made their mark. gathered digitally to debate the merits of the Emerging Talent List.

This is the first time that the jury is due to meet by videoconference to discuss this year’s shortlist of young talent, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jury duty: Alicia Vikander is one of a trio of actresses to be announced as part of the BAFTA EE Rising Star Award jury to select the 2021 shortlist

This is the 16th year that the award has been presented, with past winners such as Daniel Kaluuya, Juno Temple, John Boyega, Tom Hardy, Jack O’Connell, Tom Holland and Kristen Stewart.

The prize is the only EE BAFTA 2021 category to have been voted on by the UK public and voting will open on March 3, 2021, when the full list of finalists is revealed.

The jury has deliberately deliberated on the five that will face off in the public vote ahead of BAFTA 2021.

Accompanying Naomi, Jo and Alicia were producer and director Anand Tucker (Girl with a Pearl Earring), casting directors Leo Davis (The Queen), Nina Gold (The Kings Speech) and Lucy Bevan (An Education).

Line-up: BAFTA-winning actress Naomi Ackie has joined the roster, alongside a roster of industry experts, who have already come together digitally to debate the merits of the emerging talent roster

Star: This Is England actress Jo Hartley will also weigh in on nominees

Creative Director Gaylene Gould and various prominent film and art journalists were also involved.

Alicia said: “ Being nominated for a BAFTA EE Rising Star has been a big marker in my career and it is an honor and pleasure to deliberate on this year’s award shortlist alongside the impressive panel of jurors.

“During this tumultuous year for the industry, watching these new faces has given me hope and excitement for the film years to come.

Jo added, “ The movie was really an escape during this time of isolation. Not only to entertain me, but also to inspire me from a professional point of view.

Past winner: Tom Holland is among those who have won the award in the past

Rising Star: This is the 16th year the award has been given, with past winners including Kristen Stewart

“ It’s an absolute honor to join the EE Rising Star Award 2021 jury to celebrate the new faces on our screens and I can’t wait to see what this next generation of talent will accomplish.

“The award is an enviable recognition, and I can’t wait for the public to see the shortlist.

Naomi ended the trio by saying, “ It has been a huge honor for me to deliberate on this year’s extremely talented candidates.

“ It was really tough to pick just five actors for this year’s shortlist and I’m sure I’ll appreciate all the hard work these actors have for a long time to come. The industry is teeming with talent and with the last year we have been collectively faced with, I am so grateful that projects are still underway.

Talent: Juno Temple is also a former recipient of the honor

Winner: Nominations for all categories at the EE British Academy Film Awards will be announced on March 9, with the ceremony being broadcast on April 11 on BBC One [past winner Tom Hardy is pictured]

“For me and for many others, art, in its many mediums, is an important and necessary respite as we adjust to our new reality.

The EE Rising Star Award was established in honor of the late Mary Selway. A highly respected, BAFTA award-winning casting director whose 36-year career has seen her working on over ninety films and working with top directors such as Steven Spielberg and Clint Eastwood.

Mary’s work has contributed to the creation of some of the most memorable characters on the big screen and in 2001 she received the Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema Award from the BAFTA.

Nominations for all categories for the EE British Academy Film Awards will be announced on March 9, with the ceremony airing April 11 on BBC One.