Still from Parade by Mark Leckey, shown at Fabrica, 2003. © Mark Leckey

Mark Leckey, Cathy Wilkes, Runa Islam and Goshka Macuga are the four artists in the running for this year's Turner Prize.

British artist Mark Leckey (b.1964) has been nominated for his exhibitions 'Industrial Light & Magic', shown in Dijon at the end of 2007, and 'Resident' at Kölnischer Kunstverein, Cologne. The show mixed film, performance and sculpture to explore his fascination with contemporary culture. His show at Fabrica, Brighton, in 2003 displayed similar preoccupations.

Cathy Wilkes is a Glasgow-based artist, who produces sculptural installations, while Runa Islam creates closely choreographed films.

Wilkes has been nominated for her works currently on show at Milton Keynes Gallery, consisting of assemblages and environments that draw on personal experiences. She also featured in a group show at the 51st Venice Bienniale, which was subsequently shown in Edinburgh in 2005.

She's Pregnant Again by Cathy Wilkes, 2005, shown at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Courtesy National Galleries Scotland

Films by Bangladesh-born Runa Islam, with their open-ended narratives, are emotionally charged. Using classic cinematic techniques, her 2004 work, 'Be The First To See What You See As You See It', features a woman smashing porcelain on a gallery floor.

Lastly, Goshka Macuga, a Polish artist, is described as a collector who creates theatrical sculptural installations. Her exhibition 'Sleep of Ulro' was the inaugural show at Liverpool's A-Foundation during the city's 2006 Biennial.

"It soon becomes evident that Macuga is much enamoured with German Expressionist film sets, the works of William Blake, the Hermitage and a raft of morbid fascinations that range from old anatomical models and antiquarian prints to Madame Blavatsky, fungus and the Wizard of Oz," commented Richard Moss, 24 Hour Museum, on the exhibition.

Goshka Macuga, Element 11, shown at the A-Foundation in 2006. © Richard Moss/24 Hour Museum

The Turner Prize, which has been running since 1984, is worth £40,000 in total - £25,000 goes to the winner and £5,000 to the other three artists. The artist must be based in Britain and under 50 years of age.

It returns to Tate Britain in London this year, after being hosted at Tate Liverpool in 2007.

Chair of the judges this year will be Stephen Deuchar, director of Tate Britain, with other judges including architect David Adjaye and Jennifer Higgie, editor of Frieze magazine.

The shortlisted artists' work will be exhibited at Tate from September 30 and the winner will be announced on December 1 2008. Last year's winner was Mark Wallinger – who became notorious for wearing a bear suit.