Fans: art vs. B.O. contestants for prize range from blockbuster stars to one thesp whose empire was built on cellphones.(ORANGE RISING STAR)(box office)(Brief article)

The Orange Rising Star is not a traditional BAFTA award, but rather an audience prize that's handed out on BAFTA night. It's designed to engage the public in the ceremony, particularly the younger movie fans targeted by cellphone giant Orange, the title sponsor of the awards.

The longlist of eight contenders is drawn up by a jury of industry experts, but the five nominees and the winner are decided by public vote. However smart the longlist selections, the candidate with the year's biggest box office has an inherent advantage.

By that yardstick, this year's longlist is unusually hard to read.

It includes several actors who have appeared in blockbusters, …