Awards for European Shooting Stars
by Birgit Schrumpf

Taking place during the Berlinale's opening weekend ten talented young actresses and actors were introduced to the press and attended a series of events, meeting with casting directors, talent agents and producers. This offers a unique opportunity of networking and a stepping stone in their international careers. The most prominent names in recent years include Carey Mulligan (MUDBOUND), Pilou Asbaeck (GAME OF THRONES) Alba Rohrwacher (ISMAEL’S GHOST), Alicia Vikander (SUBMERGENCE) or Riz Ahmed (STAR WARS:ROGUE ONE).

Each of the 37 EFP (European Film Promotion) member countries nominated candidates from all over Europe having already made a name for themselves in their home country. A jury of industry professionals selected the ten most interesting and internationally versatile talents based on the following criteria:

- a successful professional career in the native country, including first awards

- a leading role in a film which was released in the past 24 months prior to the nomination

- aged between 16 to 35 years

- and fluency in English.

This year's promising acting talents from Europe are:

Dawid Ogrodni (Poland)

Milan Marić (Serbia)

Blagoj Veselinov (Macedonia)

Emma Drogunova (Germany)

Elliott Crosset Hove (Denmark)

Rea Lest-Liik (Estland)

Kristín Thora Haraldsdóttir (Iceland)

Aisling Franciosi (Ireland)

Ine Marie Wilmann (Norway)

Ardalan Esmaili (Sweden)

The youngest up-and-coming star is Emma Drogunova from Germany. Now 23, she started filming at the age of 16. The Jury's comment: "With an impulsive and fiery screen personality, Emma Drogunova owns each one of her acting choices and is able to show seduction, cruelty, provocation and danger all at once in her multi-layered performances. She is an energetic, captivating, multifaceted and vibrant discovery with an impressive acting range that also conveys a wonderful warmth and love for life last seen in The Tobacconist."

Elliott Crosset Hove starred in an impressive range of Danish features and theatre productions. His lead role in WINTER BROTHERS won him Best Actor at Locarno and Vilnius film festival and at the Danish Academy Awards, The Roberts. The Jury's comment: "Elliott Crossett Hove possesses incredible charisma, understands the natural rhythm of a scene and becomes one not only with his character but also his co-stars.”

This year's members of the jury are: Avy Kaufman, US casting director, Tara Karajica, film critic from Serbia, Macedonian director Teona Strugar Mitevska, Macdara Kelleher, producer from Ireland and former Icelandic Shooting Star (1999) Ingvar Sigurdsson.

The EFP – now in its 22nd year – is a unique network of 38 European agencies from throughout Europe representing their national films and talent. They jointly promote the diversity and spirit of European cinema, in particular outside of Europe. EFP is financially supported by the Creative Europe-MEDIA Programme of the European Union and by its member organizations.