European Film Promotion (EFP) announced today the ten SHOOTING STARS of 2009, the annual new talent forum at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). This group of prominent young actors who come from across Europe have been chosen from a broad list of potential candidates identified by the EFP’s pan-European member organisations. SHOOTING STARS is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union.

A jury of important industry personalities have this year selected the following actors:

Cyron Melville (Denmark), Samuli Vauramo (Finland), Hafsia Herzi (France), David Kross (Germany), Orsi Tóth (Hungary), Sarah Bolger (Ireland), Alba Caterina Rohrwacher (Italy), Verónica Echegui (Spain), Celine Bolomey (Switzerland) and Carey Mulligan (United Kingdom).

For further information on each of these actors please see below or go to: www.shooting-stars.eu

This year’s jury consists of: Marion Hänsel (Belgium – director), Antonio Saura (Spain- producer), Peter Cowie (UK – film historian), Patrícia Vasconcelos (Portugal – casting director) and Labina Mitevska (Macedonia – actress). Each of the actors has been chosen for their outstanding work in feature films and, with their participation in SHOOTING STARS, they will be able to showcase their talents to a wide range of industry professionals. The SHOOTING STARS will be encouraged to see themselves as the new ambassadors for European cinema and filmed entertainment, following in the footsteps of previous participants: Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Franka Potente, Daniel Brühl, Ludivine Sagnier, Cécile de France and Jérémie Renier, while their presence on cinema screens worldwide will demonstrate their creative and artistic talents to international audiences.

In 2009 the 12th edition of the SHOOTING STARS event will take place from Saturday 7 to Monday 9 February at the Berlinale, where the ten chosen actors will be presented to leading filmmakers and industry personnel as well as attend high profile events at the Festival. During their time at the Festival they will be invited to attend master-classes and workshops to bring them into contact with industry professionals and decision makers.

SHOOTING STARS is a unique pan-European initiative which helps to put emerging new acting talent at the forefront for the busy film and entertainment agenda which unfolds each year at the Berlinale, one of the world’s pre-eminent showcases for international and, more specifically, European film culture. In 2009, the SHOOTING STARS events will encompass hosted receptions and dinners, photography and portraiture of the selected actors by a leading media partner, as well as meetings and introductions to casting directors and agents. The highlight of next year’s event will be when Festival Director Dieter Kosslick introduces the SHOOTING STARS to the Berlinale-Palast audience on Monday 9 February and gives out the Shooting Stars Award – sponsored by Studio Babelsberg handed out to the young actors.

The SHOOTING STARS project is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the European Union, the EFP member organisations and commercial partners. The aims of EFP and the SHOOTING STARS project are not only to raise the profile of European film internationally, but also to furnish the SHOOTING STARS with as many tools as possible to further their careers. The process of jury selection means greater benefits for the SHOOTING STARS ever before, as well as showcasing the growing base of talent from across many and diverse European countries.


For further information please go to: www.shooting-stars.eu