- Lashana Lynch takes home the prestigious EE Rising Star Award at the 2022 EE British Academy Film Awards
- Lady Gaga made her debut at the film awards ceremony, introducing this year’s coveted award, which was then presented by 2021 EE Rising Star Award winner Bukky Bakray at the Royal Albert Hall
- The 2022 nominees are: Ariana DeBose, Harris Dickinson, Lashana Lynch, Millicent Simmonds and Kodi Smit-McPhee
- 2022 marks the 17th year of the EE Rising Star Award – the only award voted for by the public
- Previous winners include Bukky Bakray, Micheal Ward, Letitia Wright, Tom Holland, John Boyega, Jack O’Connell, Will Poulter, Tom Hardy, Kristen Stewart, and Eva Green
Tonight, EE is thrilled to announce Lashana Lynch as the winner of the EE Rising Star Award for 2022.
Lady Gaga made her debut at the awards ceremony, which was held at the Royal Albert Hall for the first in-person BAFTA ceremony since 2020.
A known vocal supporter of up-and-coming talent, Lady Gaga spoke of the importance of supporting the next generation of talent, before introducing last year’s EE Rising Star winner, Bukky Bakray to present the award to Lashana Lynch. And as she arrived at the Royal Albert Hall, Lashana stopped by to chat with EE Red Carpet hosts Clara Amfo and Bimini who introduced her to a group of lucky film fans, connected via video link from the EE BAFTA Film House.
The EE Rising Star Award is the only award presented at the EE British Academy Film Awards that is determined by a public vote. Now in its seventeenth year, the accolade is committed to supporting the extraordinary skills of emerging acting talent who have captured the imagination of the British public and the film industry over the past year.
Lashana is one of five incredible actors nominated in recognition of their work and identified as a standout star of tomorrow. The other nominees are: Ariana DeBose, Harris Dickinson, Millicent Simmonds and Kodi Smit-McPhee.
LASHANA LYNCH is quickly establishing herself as an internationally renowned actor, showcasing a range of disciplines across film, television and stage. In 2021, she made history as the first woman and the first woman of colour to carry on the legacy of 007 in her standout role as “Nomi” in Cary Joji Fukunaga’s No Time To Die, alongside Daniel Craig and Rami Malek. She is currently filming historical epic The Woman King in South Africa and will also be seen in the film adaptation of Matthew Warchus’ musical, Matilda, opposite Alisha Weir and Emma Thompson in the role of ‘Miss Honey’. Last year, Lashana starred in Debbie Tucker Green’s ear for eye, the feature film adaptation of Green’s well received play of the same name, which debuted at the Royal Court in 2018 where Lashana also took the lead role. She also notably starred in Captain Marvel alongside Brie Larson, and Shonda Rhimes’ period drama series, Still Star-Crossed.
Pete Jeavons, Marketing Communications Director at BT & EE, added: “Congratulations to Lashana Lynch, a truly deserving winner. 2022 marks the 17th year of the EE Rising Star Award and the 25th year of our partnership with BAFTA, a real milestone for us as we continue to shine a spotlight on emerging talent in the film industry. After a challenging two years for the film industry, we are pleased to be able to recognise and celebrate the talented actors who have captivated us with their exceptional performances, in person tonight at the Royal Albert Hall.”
Louise Robertson, Executive Director of Partnerships & Fundraising at BAFTA said: “Recognising and championing emerging talent is an integral part of what we stand for at BAFTA. We’re thrilled Lashana Lynch has been announced as this year’s winner of the EE Rising Star Award. As ever, this year’s shortlist was truly outstanding and we are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with EE, celebrating future emerging talent.”
The EE Rising Star Award was created in honour of Mary Selway, the highly respected BAFTA-winning casting director whose career spanned three decades and over ninety films before she died in 2004. She worked with many notable directors, including Steven Spielberg, Roman Polanski, Clint Eastwood and Ridley Scott, and is remembered throughout the industry for contributing to the creation of some of the silver screen’s most memorable characters.
This year’s EE Rising Star Award nominees were selected by a stellar line up of industry experts who were tasked with selecting the shortlist from a comprehensive list of talented actors and actresses. The jury was chaired by EMMY-winning and BAFTA-nominated television producer and BAFTA Chair, Krishnendu Majumdar, and included actor Andy Serkis, Actress Michelle Dockery, Actress, producer and director Sadie Frost, casting directors Lucy Bevan and Leo Davis as well as other leading industry specialists. The jury was rounded out by prominent film and arts journalists.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of EE’s long-standing partnership of the British Academy Film Awards, working with BAFTA to bring film fans closer to the awards through the magic of technology. Since the partnership began, EE has not only worked with BAFTA to introduce the EE Rising Star Award but also used its award-winning network to create new and exciting opportunities for film fans to be part of the action.
For more information on the EE Rising Star Award please visit: www.ee.co.uk/bafta
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