Highlighting a selection of Europe’s most promising emerging acting talent worldwide would not be possible without the invaluable support of numerous partners. EFP European Film Promotion would like to thank them all.
For the ten talents honoured as this year's European Shooting Stars, EFP offers an intensive, tailor-made programme designed to connect them with journalists, casting directors, producers and filmmakers during the 76th Berlin International Film Festival. Taking place over four days (13–16 February 2026), the programme includes networking sessions, industry meetings and press events, as well as a memorable red-carpet celebration and the official greeting of the group at the Berlinale Palast. This will be followed by the presentation of the Shooting Stars Awards at the Gala Dinner. Together, these elements are designed to strengthen the talents’ international visibility, connecting them with key industry officials, spotlighting their potential at a crucial moment in their emerging careers. This unique programme would not be possible without the generous support of our partners:
MAIN PARTNER
Ever since the start of the EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS programme, Creative Europe - MEDIA Programm of the European Union financially supported the development, distribution and promotion of European films as well as the audiovisual industry. MEDIA has been a crucial partner in making EFP’s flagship initiative happen. Thanks to this unwavering commitment, the programme has evolved into a significant industry event that brings together talent, casting directors, filmmakers and producers.
EVENT PARTNERS
The Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM) which provides national funding for arts and culture in Germany, and German Films, have been essential partners in developing EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS and its Actors Industry Network over the years. As a national information and advisory center for the worldwide promotion of German films and German filmmakers, German Films is aware of the importance of such international programmes. In recent years, participation in the EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS programme has been a major milestone in the successful international career for numerous German actors.
The Berlin International Film Festival is one of the largest public film festivals in the world, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe each year. For the film industry and the media, the eleven days in February are also one of the most important events in the annual calendar and an indispensable trading forum. From the very beginning of EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS, the Berlinale was the platform to showcase the ten up-and-coming talents and give them global visibility.
As one of the most influential German regional film funding organisations the Medienboard Berlin Brandenburg has been a trusted and passionate supporter of the programme from the start. In addition to their important financial commitment, the institution welcomes the European Shooting Stars at its annual reception giving their promotion an additional boost and consideration.
MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig Holstein happily supports the EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS programme as it shares the same home base: Hamburg, a city known for fostering international talent and creative exchange. The regional film fund promotes cinema films, high-end series and innovative audiovisual formats – from first draft to production, distribution, and festival presentation. Its focus is to develop the regional audio-visual industries in Northern Germany. MOIN welcomes filmmakers from around the globe to film in their region between the North and the Baltic Seas.
Hessen Film & Medien is the first point of contact for film funding in Hessen. It promotes artistic and commercial quality in film and series productions with flexible, progressive funding tools, emphasizing diversity, sustainability, and artistic boldness. As partner of EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS in the second year, Hessen Film & Medien is proud to champion emerging European talent by contributing to the programme’s mission of spotlighting the continent's most promising actors. Through its involvement, Hessen Film & Medien underlines its commitment to fostering international collaboration and diversity in the film industry.
Spotlight & Filmmakers Europe are delighted to support EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS and European talent. With casting studios in the heart of London’s West End, Spotlight has been the cornerstone of the entertainment industry since 1927, and as a member of the Talent Systems family, it connects the UK and Europe to North America, Australia, and beyond. Filmmakers Europe is a talent and industry platform for Europe, serving professionals across all 27 EU member states and beyond. Built as a pan-European system, Filmmakers Europe provides the core digital infrastructure connecting actors, agents, casting directors, and productions. Together, Spotlight & Filmmakers Europe present a unified ecosystem for performers, agents, and casting directors to connect the industry.
MAIN MEDIA PARTNER
Variety has presented the EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS to the international film industry since 2010. The publication has been the seminal voice of the entertainment industry for more than 120 years and counting and is the trusted source for the business of global entertainment. Read by a highly engaged audience of industry insiders, Variety’s multi-platform content coverage expands across digital, mobile, social, print, and branded events and summits.
MEDIA PARTNERS
EFP also wishes to thank Screen International and Cineuropa for their longstanding support of the initiative as well as the German trade magazine THE SPOT media & film. Our thanks also goes to Fred Film Radio and the online platforms HeyUGuys and FestivalScope.
INDUSTRY PARTNERS
The International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) has played a crucial role in building up the Actors Industry Network. The ICDA is a professional association comprised of some of the world’s most prestigious casting directors and has been a proud partner of the EFP's AIN events since their inception. ICDA members hail from over 35 countries and six continents, all working internationally. They have an organic and sustainable interest in meeting the European Shooting Stars and consider them for their future castings. Upwards of 40 ICDA members typically attend each year’s Shooting Stars events.
Founded in 1982, Casting Society (CSA) is a global association for casting directors, dedicated to advancing ethical and professional casting practices. Through its Global Chapter, CSA educates producers and filmmakers on international casting standards, fair access for actors, and the strategic value of casting in securing green lights. In 2025–26, CSA has led producer-focused panels, casting consultations, and talent initiatives at major festivals and across regions including Europe, Japan, Africa, and the Balkans, supporting international talent and a healthy global casting ecosystem.
PARTICIPATING NATIONAL FILM PROMOTION INSTITUTES AND FILM CENTRES
EFP would like to express a special thanks to the national film promotion institutes and film centres from the Shooting Stars’ countries (EFP’s member organisations): Albanian National Center of Cinematography, AUSTRIAN FILMS, Cinecittà (Italy), Flanders Image (Belgium), German Films, ICA - Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual I.P. (Portugal), SEE NL (The Netherlands), Norwegian Film Institute, Screen Ireland and Unifrance. Only their nominations made it possible to discover the up-and-coming talents of their respective countries.
