Judge Profiles

British director and BAFTA winner Daniel Barber, was nominated for an Oscar earlier this year for his short film The Tonto Woman, which also won the Best of Festival award at LA Shorts 2008 and Best Film at Palm Springs 2007. He’s won prizes for his TV ads too, including BMW Science, Toyota “Illogicaland” and Becks Naturally. Daniel’s advice to budding film makers? “Never ever, ever, give up”.

Gurinder Chadha is a British director, best known for her award-winning films Bhaji on the Beach, Bend It Like Beckham, Bride & Prejudice, and her new film, Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. Her top tip for film makers: “Find something you really want to say, have a clear vision for why you want to make a film and keep working at it until you can tell your story exactly the way you want to.”

James is the voice of film on Radio One, reviewing the latest movies with Edith Bowman every Wednesday and Friday and can also be seen talking cinema every week on ITV1's London Tonight. James’ advice to budding film makers: “Wear your heart on your sleeve and show me who you are. I want to see your personality in the plot, the dialogue and the style. Tarantino never made it by being coy!”

Award-winning stage and film actor and Artistic Director of the Old Vic Theatre, Kevin Spacey began his career on stage in the 1980s. He won his first Oscar in 1995 for his role in The Usual Suspects and another in 1999 for American Beauty. Kevin’s own production company, Trigger Street, recently produced 21 and co-produced political drama Recount with HBO, in which Kevin also stars.

Lenny is the Head of the New Cinema Fund at the UK Film Council, which supports emerging and established film makers. Recent projects include Shane Meadows’ 'This is England' and Sarah Gavron’s 'Brick Lane'. Before the UK Film Council, he was Director of Glasgow Film Finance. Lenny’s advice to would-be film makers? "Watch Spike Jonze's 'How They Get There'."

Malcolm is the CEO of Content at Virgin Media and responsible for the day to day running of the Company’s content business. Before joining Virgin Media, Malcolm was COO at United Business Media and on the board of Channel Five. Malcolm’s advice to undiscovered film makers? “Take every opportunity to showcase your talent, no matter how small – you never know where it might lead.”

In 1970, Richard Branson founded Virgin as a mail order record retailer and opened a record shop in Oxford Street. Since then, the Virgin Group has expanded into air travel, mobile, broadband, TV, home phone, financial, retail, drinks, rail and leisure in over 30 countries. Richard’s top tip for would-be film makers? “My advice is simple - don't give up and believe in yourself."

Best known for his role as Guy Secretan in Green Wing, Stephen Mangan is regarded as one of the country's finest comedy actors. His film career began with a role in Billy Elliot, and went on to appear in Confetti, Birthday Girl and Festival. His tip for film makers: "If you want to make films, just get on and do it! It has never been easier, or cheaper, to shoot and edit video."