Deadline's Contenders event in London kicks off the film awards season with panel discussions featuring some of the hottest films of the year.
As all Contenders connoisseurs know, this is a Deadline event designed specifically for true movie buffs – so expect juicy trailers and star-studded panels brimming with creative talent when the event kicks off on Saturday morning. A total of seven films will take part in the in-person event taking place at London's Ham Yard Hotel. Doors opened at 8.30am BST, with the curtain rising at 9.30am.
Speaking of stars, today's lineup includes Emilia Perez'In the house are Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña, as well as breakthrough actress Karla Sofía Gascón, Adriana Paz and writer-director Jacques Audiard. The film was chosen to represent France in the Oscar International Feature Film category, and all four actresses already shared the Best Actress award at Cannes earlier this year.
The next big name on our list is Denis Villeneuve. He'll be on stage to discuss Dune: part two with producers Mary Parent and Tanya Lapointe, to hear all about their take on the second installment of the epic sci-fi sequel with an all-star cast.
Malcolm Washington's feature-length debut Piano lesson tugs at family bonds both on and off screen. He will be joined by his brother John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler and two-time Oscar-winning composer Alexandre Desplat to discuss a film steeped in generational connection. Also in a fraught business on this side of the pond is Mike Leigh. Gives some Hard truthsalong with lead actress Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
Click to read more about Deadline Contenders: London
There are also other British national treasures: Wallace and Gromit — the cheese-inspired stop-motion animation duo that launched Aardman's adventures with director Nick Park. The unfortunate Wallace and his cunning dog Gromit encounter a stray gnome. Wallace and Gromit: The Most Revenge of the Fowl. Park was joined on the panel by co-director Merlin Crossingham and executive producer Carla Shelley to talk about her work that delights people of all ages.
The same applies Wild Robot. Chris Sanders wrote and directed DreamWorks Animation's heartwarming story about a lost robot (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o) who must adapt to life in the forest while learning things about prejudice, empathy and love. Nyong'o will join Sanders and composer Kris Bowers on our stage.
RaMell Ross offers a completely different perspective on the coming-of-age story Nickel boys – a film based on a shocking true story that will leave you stunned directly keeping an eye on the action. Ross will be joined by stars Ethan Herisse (When they see us) and Brandon Wilson (The way back).
Follow Contenders Film: London throughout the day on Deadline.com and on Deadline's social channels using the hashtag #DeadlineContenders, and stay tuned next week when we launch the event's streaming site featuring the full panel films.
Here is today's panel lineup (the order may change):
Contenders Film: London
(all times BST)
BLEECKER STREET / STUDIO CHANNEL
Hard truths
Mike Leigh (writer/director)
Marianne Jean-Baptiste (actor)
Michele Austin (actor)
WARNER BROS PAINTINGS and LEGENDARY PAINTINGS
Dune: part two
Denis Villeneuve (co-writer, director, producer)
Mary Parent (producer)
Tanya Lapointe (producer)
ORION PICTURES and AMAZON MGM STUDIOS
Nickel boys
RaMell Ross (co-writer/director)
Ethan Herisse (actor)
Brandon Wilson (actor)
NETFLIX
Emilia Perez
Jacques Audiard (writer/director)
Karla Sofía Gascón (actor)
Zoe Saldaña (actor)
Adriana Paz (actor)
Selena Gomez (actor)
NETFLIX/BBC
Wallace and Gromit: The Most Revenge of the Fowl
Nick Park (director)
Merlin Crossingham (director)
Carla Shelley (executive producer)
NETFLIX
Piano lesson
Malcom Washington (co-writer/director)
John David Washington (actor)
Danielle Deadwyler (actor)
Alexandre Desplat (composer)
DREAMWORKS ANIMATION
Wild Robot
Chris Sanders (writer/director)
Kris Bowers (composer)
Lupita Nyong'o (actor)
