Rising Star Award (known in 2013 as
EE Rising Star Award, previously known as
Orange Rising Star Award) is one of the award categories for the
British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) which acknowledges new talents in the acting industry. The award was created after
Mary Selway's death in 2004. She has been recognised for her successful role as a
casting director and has helped many new actors and actresses to their claim to fame. The five nominees have been chosen regardless of gender, nationality and whether they have made a breakthrough in television, film or both. Despite the nominees being chosen by the BAFTA juries, the winner is chosen entirely by the public votes via text, internet or phone. This award was sponsored by
Orange UK until 2012. In 2013, it was sponsored by
EE. The first winner was
James McAvoy in 2006.