In 2015 , Gillan appeared in the drama film '' The Big Short '' directed by Adam McKay , alongside Brad Pitt , Christian Bale , Ryan Gosling , Steve Carell and Melissa Leo . She wrote and directed her first short film , '' Coward '' , which screened at the 2015 Edinburgh Film Festival , and was nominated for several awards . Later in the year she wrote , directed , and starred in another short film called '' Conventional '' . She won in the Best Female Newcomer category at the 20th Empire Awards for '' Guardians of the Galaxy '' and '' Oculus ''
20th Empire Awards
20th Empire Awards
Karen Gillan