EFP reveals 2011 SHOOTING STARS

15.12.2010

Europe's most remarkable acting talent to be presented at Berlin International Film Festival (February 10-20)

Ten talented European newcomers will find themselves in the spotlight as participants in the 14th SHOOTING STARS showcase taking place February 12-14 at the 2011 Berlin International Film Festival. Selected from a 'longlist' of 25 candidates proposed by member organisations of European Film Promotion (EFP), the ten young actors were chosen by a jury of established film industry professionals for their outstanding work in feature films. SHOOTING STARS is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union.

The ten SHOOTING STARS 2011 are

• Albania: Nik Xhelilaj (The Albanian)
• Croatia: Marija Škaričić (Mother of Asphalt)
• Denmark: Pilou Asbæk (R)
• Germany: Alexander Fehling (Goethe!)
• Ireland: Domhnall Gleeson (True Grit)
• FYR of Macedonia: Natasha Petrovic (As If I Am Not There)
• Spain: Clara Lago (Bunker)
• Sweden: Alicia Vikander (Pure)
• The Netherlands: Sylvia Hoeks (Tirza)
• United Kingdom: Andrea Riseborough (Brighton Rock)

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EFP's annual platform is designed to provide an international showcase for emerging acting talent at the Berlinale, an essential date in the film industry calendar. The highlight of the event is the presentation of these exceptional actors on the main stage of the Berlinale Palast on Monday 14th February where they will be awarded the SHOOTING STARS AWARD – sponsored by Studio Babelsberg.

SHOOTING STARS participants go on to serve as ambassadors for European cinema, demonstrating their talents to international audiences. Starting with the Berlinale they are introduced at festivals and attend workshops around the world. Recent SHOOTING STARS include such immensely talented and sought-after names as Carey Mulligan, David Kross, Mélanie Laurent, Daniel Brühl, Nikolaj Lie Kaas and European Film Award nominees for 2010 Zrinka Cvitešić, Lotte Verbeek, Elio Germano and Jakob Cedergren.

Speaking on behalf of the jury, French producer Cédomir Kolar comments: "The fact that there have been so many applications for SHOOTING STARS is a great sign of how important this event is today, in the profession as well as in the media in general. For smaller, more recent members of EFP, it is even more important, as being a Shooting Star can often provide a professional passport beyond one's country."

Further members of the jury are: Derek Elley, (film critic – UK), Ole Christian Madsen (director – Denmark), Heike Makatsch (actress – Germany) and Lina Todd (casting director – USA).

Press Contact: Premier PR

Becky Palmer, becky.palmer@premierpr.com, +44 20- 7292 8330
Ginger Corbett, ginger.corbett@premierpr.com, +44 20- 7292 8330

EFP Contact

Project Director: Karin Dix, dix@efp-online.com, +49 40- 390 6252
Press: Mareen Gerisch, gerisch@efp-online.com, +49 40- 390 6252

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The SHOOTING STARS project is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union and the ten participating member organisations. Main Partner is Studio Babelsberg. Co-Partner is Tesiro. The event is also supported by arvato digital services, Filmstiftung NRW GmbH and Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg. In addition, promotion and PR activities are backed by the Centre National de la Cinématographie et de l'Image animée (CNC). The Hamburg-based office is supported by the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) and the Department for Culture, Sport and Media of the City of Hamburg.

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Main Partner                Co-Partner

      

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with the support of the       EFP is supported by
EU MEDIA Programm

         

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The ten SHOOTING STARS 2011

Albania: Nik Xhelilaj Nominated by Albanian National Center of Cinematography Jury's comment: In The Albanian, Xhelilaj brings both an intensity and a tenderness to his portrayal of the illegal immigrant that invest the role with a surprising complexity. A fresh and promising discovery. selected Films The Albanian (Der Albaner) by Johannes Naber (Albania, Germany 2010) Alive (Gjallë) by Artan Minarolli (Albania, Austria, France 2009) Sorrow of Mrs. Schneider (Trishtimi i znj. Shnajder) by Eno & Piro Milkani (Albania, Czech Republic 2008)

Croatia: Marija Škaričić Nominated by Croatian Audiovisual Centre Jury's comment: Škaričić’s impressive technical command manages to encompass a wide range of emotions, from the fragile to the intense. A classically versatile actress, capable of both elegance and edginess. selected Films: Mother of Asphalt (Majka asfalta) by Dalibor Matanić (Croatia, 2010) Shahada by Burhan Qurbani (Germany 2010) Fraulein (Das Fräulein) by Andrea Štaka (Switzerland, Germany 2006)

Denmark: Pilou Asbæk Nominated by the Danish Film Institute Jury's comment: Vibrant, emotionally complex and intense, Pilou projects a masculine physicality tempered by a romantic sensitivity which are seen at their best in the tough prison movie R. selected Films: R by Tobias Lindholm & Michael Noer (Denmark 2010) A Family (En familie) by Pernille Fischer Christensen (Denmark 2010) The Government (Borgen) (TV-series) by Søren Kragh-Jacobsen (Denmark 2010)

Germany: Alexander Fehling Nominated by German Films Jury's comment: With his leading-man looks and seductive charm, Fehling turns Goethe into a real, flesh-and-blood character. A skilful, versatile actor with great cross-over potential. selected Films: If Not Us, Who? (Wer Wenn Nicht Wir) by Andres Veiel (Germany 2010) Goethe! by Philipp Stölzl (Germany 2010) Inglourious Basterds by Quentin Tarantino (USA, Germany 2009)

Ireland: Domhnall Gleeson Nominated by the Irish Film Board Jury's comment: As the likable loser in Sensation, Domhnall creates a unique world around the character with his quirky screen presence. It’s a touching performance, full of intriguing contradictions. selected Films: True Grit by Ethan & Joel Coen (USA 2010) Sensation by Tom Hall (Ireland 2010) Never Let Me Go by Mark Romanek (UK, USA 2010)

FYR of Macedonia: Natasha Petrovic Nominated by the Macedonian Film Fund Jury's comment: Petrovic has a classic screen presence, along with great film star looks, that reminds you of a young Ingrid Bergman. She simply has huge potential. selected Films: As If I Am Not There by Juanita Wilson (Ireland, FYR of Macedonia, Sweden 2009) Shadows (Senki) by Milcho Manchevski  (FYR of Macedonia, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, Spain 2007)

Spain: Clara Lago Nominated by the Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales / ICAA Jury's comment: If youth and talent are the ideal combination for a Shooting Star, Lago is a perfect choice. Seemingly wise beyond her years, she has both a naturalism and emotional restraint that aren’t contradictory. selected Films: Bunker by Andi Baiz (Spain, USA, Colombia 2011) Primos by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo (Spain 2011) For the Good of Others (El Mal Ajeno) by Oskar Santos (Spain 2010)

Sweden: Alicia Vikander Nominated by the Swedish Film Institute Jury's comment: From tomboy to temptress, from street kid to secretary, Vikander shows a sheer range in her big-screen debut that’s utterly hypnotic. Her grace and physicality make her transformation in Pure totally believable. selected Films: Crown Jewels by Ella Lemhagen (Sweden 2011) Pure by Lisa Langseth (Sweden 2010)

The Netherlands: Sylvia Hoeks Nominated by EYE Film Institute Netherlands Jury's comment: Hoeks is the ultimate chameleon, never revealing all to the audience and preserving a sense of mystery on screen. She can be Lolita or she can be damaged. She’s always fresh and always surprising. selected Films: Tirza by Rudolf van den Berg (The Netherlands 2010) The Storm (De storm) by Ben Sombogaart (The Netherlands, Belgium 2009) Duska by Jos Stelling (The Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine 2007)

United Kingdom: Andrea Riseborough Nominated by the British Council Jury's comment: Riseborough is one of the biggest talents of her generation, with a magnetic screen presence and amazing technique. Her ability to totally immerse herself into a character makes her naive, love-struck waitress in Brighton Rock a touching and tragic victim. selected Films: W.E. by Madonna (UK 2011)         Brighton Rock by Rowan Joffe (UK 2010) We Want Sex (Made in Dagenham) by Nigel Cole (UK 2010)