Deadline – BAFTA has revealed the shortlisted films in the Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer category. Lauded documentary For Sama and gang drama Blue Story make the cut. Scroll down for the full list.

The award was previously known as the Carl Foreman Award for Special Achievement by a British Writer, Director or Producer in their First Feature Film. The winners are chosen by a jury.

Marc Samuelson, Chair of BAFTA’s Film Committee said, “New talent is the lifeblood of the British film industry. This shortlist of ten films shines a light on a diverse group of talented debut British filmmakers who demonstrate that the future of British film is in good hands.”

Nominations and winner to be decided by Outstanding Debut Jury:
Animals (Writer: Emma Jane Unsworth)
Bait (Writer/Director: Mark Jenkin, Producers: Kate Byers, Linn Waite)
Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (Director/Producer: Steve Sullivan)
Blue Story (Writer/Director: Rapman, Producer: Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor)
For Sama (Director/Producer: Waad al-Kateab, Director: Edward Watts)
The Last Tree (Producer: Myf Hopkins)
Maiden (Director: Alex Holmes)
Only You (Writer/Director: Harry Wootliff)
The Party’s Just Beginning (Writer/Director: Karen Gillan)
Retablo (Writer/Director: Álvaro Delgado-Aparicio)

“The Party’s Just Beginning” has finally become available on selected platforms such as iTunes and Amazon. Karen’s directorial debut is absolutely surreal— I really recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it already.

“The Party’s Just Beginning” tells the story of a young woman (Liusaidh) who spirals into a mid-twenties crisis after her best friend takes his own life. I have updated our gallery with over 2,600 Blu-Ray quality screen captures, so be sure to check them out.

Back on Friday (December 7th), Karen attended the ‘The Party’s Just Beginning‘ Special Screening in Los Angeles. She was joined by Avengers and Guardians co-star Pom Klementieff. High-quality images are available in our gallery.

Last night (October 26), Karen attended the 27th Philadelphia Film Festival Closing Night Awards Ceremony at Philadelphia Film Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was awarded with the Artistic Achievement in Independent Film Award for her directorial debut, The Party’s Just Beginning. High-quality images have been added to our gallery.

Deadline — The Orchard has snapped up North American rights to Karen Gillan’s directorial debut The Party’s Just Beginning which made its stateside premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival where it was one of the standouts. The Orchard is planning a fall release for the movie.

Shot in Gillan’s Scottish Highlands hometown of Inverness, The Party’s Just Beginning was a passion project which took the Guardians of the Galaxy and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle actress six years to write and five to finance before breaking through with Mt. Hollywood Films. She also headlines in the film as Liusaidh, a young woman who is living an endless bacchanal to mask the severe pains from a recent loss. At the same time, a wrong number leads Liusaidh to an anonymous connection with an old man grappling with his own end-of-life questions and regrets. Under fleeting glimpses of the Northern lights, the characters at crossroads in the film, search for answers—together and independently—in the cold landscape. Gillan captures Inverness with a kinetic, somber colorful hued, rapid-edit style, reminiscent of how Nicolas Winding Refn arrested Los Angeles in Drive and Neon Demon.

Gillan’s producing partner Mali Elfman produces alongside R. Andru Davies and Claire Mundell. The cast also includes Guardians of the Galaxy star Lee Pace, Matthew Beard, Paul Higgins, Siobhan Redmond, Jamie Quinn and Rachel Jackson.

“Totally and completely thrilled to team up with The Orchard on my directorial debut,” said Karen Gillan. “I greatly admire the films that The Orchard put out into the world and I’m honored to have The Party’s Just Beginning be one of them”.

“Karen Gillan’s The Party’s Just Beginning establishes her as a unique talent and fresh new voice that absolutely blew us away,” said Paul Davidson, EVP, Film and TV at The Orchard. “It’s a directorial debut anchored by a stellar performance and a compelling screenplay that makes her a true triple threat. We are excited to partner with her on her first feature.”

The deal was negotiated between The Orchard’s Danielle DiGiacomo and UTA Independent Film Group on behalf of the filmmakers. Gillan is repped by UTA.