Co-Founder & CEO
James Bowpitt
James is the Co-founder and CEO of Nominees, a groundbreaking streaming platform dedicated to showcasing award-nominated short films. With a passion for discovering and uplifting emerging filmmakers, James is committed to providing a space where exceptional short films gain the recognition they deserve. Nominees not only serves as a launchpad for budding talent but also offers audiences a curated selection of films with depth, creativity, and storytelling that go beyond mainstream streaming options.
Prior to founding Nominees, James held leadership roles across fintech, mobility, and banking. As Head of Risk and Regulatory Reporting at Suade Labs, a pioneering RegTech scale-up, James played a key role in transforming regulatory compliance through technology. Before that, as Country Manager for Bolt, James led the ride-hailing company’s expansion and operations in Ireland. Earlier in their career, James worked in various risk management roles in banking, developing a deep expertise in financial regulation and operational strategy.
With a vision to revolutionize film discovery and create new opportunities for filmmakers, James is looking to push the boundaries of digital streaming with Nominees.
Co-Founder & COO
Sarah Gonzalez Centeno
Sarah Gonzalez Centeno spent years immersed in the world of film and documentary, working as an editor and director. Like many independent filmmakers, she experienced firsthand the relentless struggle of securing funding, navigating grants, and pushing projects forward with limited resources.
After years of scraping together budgets to bring her films to life, she realized the industry needed a shift—one that truly valued and compensated emerging talent.
Many filmmakers give up too quickly, not because they lack talent, but because they lack the stepping stones to continue. Sometimes, all they need is one opportunity—one platform that recognizes their work and helps them take the next step in their professional journey.
That’s why she founded Nominees, a groundbreaking platform designed to reward and support junior filmmakers. More than just a recognition platform, Nominees provides a dedicated distribution space where filmmakers get paid for their work, ensuring their creativity and effort translate into real opportunities.
Driven by her passion for storytelling and advocacy for fair compensation in the industry, Sarah is on a mission to empower the next generation of filmmakers
