About SHOOTING STARS

SHOOTING STARS is a unique pan-European initiative which puts a spotlight on Europe's best young actors. It helps to put emerging new acting talent at the forefront for the busy film and entertainment agenda which unfolds each year at the Berlin International Film Festival.

2010 marks the 13th edition of SHOOTING STARS. 10 prominent young actors who come from across Europe are chosen by a jury of experts from a broad list of potential candidates nominated by the member organisations of European Film Promotion (EFP).

The aim of EFP and the SHOOTING STARS project is to raise the profile of European film internationally.

How to become a SHOOTING STAR

Each year, European Film Promotion (EFP), a network of promotion and marketing organisations from 32 European countries, presents the most talented young actors from throughout Europe to the press, public and industry during the Berlin International Film Festival.

The process for selection as a Shooting Star begins with a nomination from an EFP member organisation, which is based on the criteria listed below.

The actor:

  • has already established a successful professional career in his/her native country

  • is fluent in English

  • is younger than 35 years

  • has had a main role in a film which was released in the 12 months prior to selection as a Shooting Star

  • is already well known from a film which has received wide exposure (selected for different festivals, released in several countries)

  • either the nominated actor or the film has received a national film award

The nominated actors are then presented to an international jury of experts who, based on screening a recent film which featured the actor, select the final ten actors as Shooting Stars.

Once chosen as a SHOOTING STAR, the actors are invited to the Berlin International Film Festival where they participate in a full programme on the first weekend of the festival. Activities include several presentations to the film industry and public, a press conference, an intimate one-on-one-meeting with international casting directors, a reception and presentation at the Awards Ceremony in the Berlinale Palast.

With the recognition as a SHOOTING STAR, the impact is often immediate. Actors with established national careers are suddenly on the international stage at the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. “Shooting Stars put me in the right place at the right time“ said Daniel Brühl, Shooting Star 2003.

Among the actors recognized with the SHOOTING STARS AWARD over the years are such top-flight actors as Daniel Craig, Ludivine Sagnier, Maria Bonnevie, Rachel Weisz,  Moritz Bleibtreu,  Johanna Wokalek and Nina Hoss.

Search Shooting Star Database
name
country
year
all male female