“We were thrilled to bring together casting directors from across the country to celebrate our fourth annual CDG Awards at Ham Yard Hotel on 22nd February this year. Despite another challenging year, our industry has determinedly stepped up and we were delighted by the scope of work we celebrated by such a brilliant, wide range of casting directors. This is evidence that we appreciate the extraordinary work of our peers and we all have been overjoyed in the welcome escape that so much of this work has brought us. There have been some unforgettable performances both on stage and screen and it was wonderful to come together and cheer on our community who so often are forgotten by the time the reviewers move in! We have optimism that casting directors and their vital input will be further recognised industry-wide.”
Jessica Ronane and Kate Ringsell, CDG Co-Chairs
Host Jennifer Saunders presented the awards and said “I am honoured to be cast as ‘Host’ for the 4th annual CDG awards . I’m hoping to impress with many accents and horse riding skills!”
Our partner Spotlight, has been connecting performers with roles in theatre, television and film productions since 1927. It’s our role to keep stages and screens filled with talented performers, so we can continue to watch our favourite characters come to life. With studios in London’s famous West End and a team of people across America and Europe, Spotlight is at the heart of the performing arts industry.
Spotlight is delighted to have built a deep and enduring partnership with the CDG. We would like to thank the Guild and their members for their ongoing support. Since the founding of the CDG, Guild members have cast thousands of talented Spotlight performers in professional roles – here’s to many more years of empowering and celebrating the art of casting!
Founded in 1927, Spotlight is a global casting platform of over 65,000 professional performers, and is used by casting professionals daily to cast hundreds of roles across stage, film and television. Spotlight aims to improve industry standards and practice, help nurture talent from all routes into the industry and raise awareness of issues within the industry such as inclusivity and equality.
EON Productions Limited is the UK based production company that has produced the James Bond films since 1962 including Spectre and Skyfall with the latest instalment, No Time to Die awaiting release. Led by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, EON has produced and executive produced independent film projects including Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Radiator, Nancy and The Rhythm Section. They have also co-produced and co-financed successful theatrical productions, including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Once, Othello, The Kid Stays in the Picture and The Band’s Visit.
Hamilton Hodell is an independent agency dedicated to the career management of extraordinary actors working in theatre, film and television. Founded by Lorraine Hamilton and now run by Christian Hodell and his partners, it is renowned for its close-knit, dynamic team of agents, strong industry relationships and above all, a superb list of clients who are thriving in all facets of the entertainment industry.
Independent Talent Group is the pre-eminent talent and literary agency founded almost 40 years ago. Headquartered in London, ITG represents many of the most celebrated and emerging talent working in media today. Its client base includes actors, directors, writers, producers and casting directors; voice-over; comedians; digital talent and YouTubers; and below-the-line personnel, including directors of photography, editors, and production designers.
Netflix is the world’s leading streaming entertainment service with 214 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can watch as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected screen. Members can play, pause and resume watching, all without commercials or commitments.
New Wonder Management was founded by the husband-and-wife team, John Byrne and Lola Williams who have over thirty years of collective industry experience.
The agency works across stage, screen, and new media, representing an international and diverse range of established and upcoming Actors, Directors, and Intimacy Co-ordinators.
The Group is formed with the objective of working closely to create opportunities for our clients. Each company remains independent and continues to represent their own clients. By pooling knowledge and expertise as The Partnership Group, the companies gain an encompassing vision of the film, TV and theatre landscapes, and can act as a more powerful, unified force in our growing global industry.
The Artists Partnership : is a leading UK agency representing top British and International talent on and off screen.
The Development Partnership : develops projects that our clients are passionate about.
Be Heard Voices : a voice over agency representing a list of eclectic, diverse and professional actors from stage and screen
Sayle Screen : one of London’s leading and long-standing independent agencies representing writers, directors and editors for film, television and theatre.
Sara Putt Associates : the leading independent UK agency for film and television heads of department, along with running a successful Foundation programme.
United Agents LLP is London’s leading talent agency encompassing the worlds of film, TV, books, theatre and comedy. Founded in 2007, it has become the largest agency of its kind in the UK representing established and emerging artists. United Agents is unparalleled in the industry and has been the driving force behind the careers of many award-winning names. Wholly owned by its founding partners, United Agents offers clients dedicated specialist representation, bringing together leading agents from each field.
WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content from a diverse array of talented storytellers and journalists to global audiences through its consumer brands, including HBO, HBO Max, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, and others.
LW Theatres own and operate seven of the most prestigious and desirable theatres in the world, including the iconic London Palladium and the stately Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Wholly owned by Andrew Lloyd Webber, LW Theatres play host to some of the world’s best musicals and plays, as well as a popular variety of concerts and comedy.
The LW Theatres portfolio also includes Her Majesty’s Theatre, the Cambridge Theatre, the Gillian Lynne Theatre and the Adelphi Theatre (owned in association with Nederlander International Limited).
LW Theatres is the largest operator of musical theatre in London with 1 in 3 of all visits to a London musical being to a LW Theatres venue. Current shows include School of Rock, Matilda the Musical, Waitress, Be More Chill and the world famous The Phantom of the Opera.
Manchester International Festival (MIF) is an artist-focused festival of original, new work and special events reflecting the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture, staged every two in venues across Greater Manchester – from theatres, galleries and concert halls to railway depots, churches and car parks. MIF works closely with venues, festivals and other cultural organisations globally, whose financial and creative input helps to make many of these projects possible and ensures that work made at MIF goes on to be seen around the world. MIF also supports a year-round Creative Engagement programme, bringing opportunities for people from all backgrounds, ages and from all corners of the city to get involved during the Festival and year-round, as volunteers, as participants in shows, through skills development and a host of creative activities.
MIF will also run The Factory, the landmark new cultural space currently being built in the heart of Manchester, designed by the internationally renowned Rem Koolhaas’ Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA) and backed by Manchester City Council and HM Government. The Factory will open in 2023. Programme plans will be announced from spring 2022. mif.co.uk
Joe & Seph’s are a family business on a mission to produce the best tasting popcorn in the world! They have over 50 flavours of gourmet popcorn and are the proud winners of 61 Great Taste Awards! All of their flavours are handmade and air-popped popcorn using natural ingredients, providing a totally unique taste experience.
Homewood is an eclectic country house hotel with 31 rooms and a playful personality, set in 20 acres of gardens and grounds near Bath. Part of the Small Luxury Hotels of The World and Mr & Mrs Smith collections, this dog-friendly Georgian mansion delights with its colourful interiors, creative art works, magnificent views, ultra-modern indulgences and faultless service.
Noble Isle is a fine fragrance, bath & body brand, inspired by the rich, cultural heritage of the British Isles. The collection is natural, vegan, cruelty-free, sustainably formulated and made in the UK using natural extracts from celebrated producers around the British Isles including; Rhubarb from Yorkshire, Samphire from Ireland, Barley from Scotland and Beetroot from Wales.
Run by brothers Terry and Tony Arnett, direct descendants of the original founders, Cartwright & Butler is built on a passion for food that puts a smile on your face. We don’t do low fat, won’t count calories and we’ll never compromise on taste. We’re all about the butteriest, the creamiest and the crumbliest, because that’s what makes good food great. The world might have changed since the seeds of our business were planted in 1900’s. But what we stand for hasn’t. The very best tasting treats that create moments of joy every single day.
Tonight’s event would not have been possible without a huge amount of hard work and time given by a number of people:
The CDG Awards committee – David Grindrod, Sophie Hallett, Victor Jenkins, Sam Jones, Debbie McWilliams, Andy Pryor and Pippa Harrison
Press Relations – Spotlight’s Emily Moran
Event & Project Management – Spotlight’s Jamie Ramsay and CDG’s Sophie Hallett
Video Production – Spotlight’s Nicholas Peel
Social Media – Kevin Riddle and Spotlight’s Kelly Davis