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european shooting stars platform for the most promising pan-european acting talents
With the EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS programme, EFP brings ten promising, versatile European acting newcomers to the Berlin International Film Festival each year. The goal is to help them make a name for themselves with the international press and audience and to build a network in the international film industry.
The actors take part in a tailor-made programme that includes extensive press work and meetings with international casting directors, talent agents and producers. At the glamorous EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS presentation in the Berlinale Palast, the participants will be honoured in front of an international audience of industry professionals.
how to participate
EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS is open to all European actors/actresses who have already made a name for themselves in their home countries and are on the edge of stepping up to an international career. Actors cannot apply themselves but must be nominated by their EFP member institute. A candidate must:
- have acknowledged experience in their native country but should be
a newcomer / discovery internationally - have been cast in a main role in either the feature-length film (World Premiere from March 2024 onwards) or in the high-end drama series (for international release in 2024) for which the actor is nominated
- be at least 16 years old
- be fluent in English
Each of the 37 EFP member organizations can nominate one candidate. The final selection is made by an international jury of industry professionals. For general information please contact info@efp-online.com For more information on the national selection, please contact the respective EFP member institute.
european shooting stars 2025
Deputy Ministry of Culture
Cyprus
Marina Makris is a well-known Cypriot performer, recently crowned Best Actress at the Cyprus Film Days International Festival, for her striking performance in Adonis Florides’s compelling drama AFRICA STAR (2024). With a background in stage performance, Makris’s experience as a playwright allows her to understand character, as seen in her performances in CAMPING: THE FINAL BATTLE (2022) and her upcoming roles in Minos Papas’s gothic horror MOTHERWITCH (2025) a coproduction with Cyprus, USA, North Macedonia, as well as the international coproduction (Greece, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Montenegro) LIFE IN A BEAT of Amerissa Basta. --- Picture Credit: Demetres Vattis
Marina Makris
Cyprus
ALMA ARTISTS LTD
Denmark
Besir Zeciri was born in Copenhagen, and with Albanian heritage he reflects a new diverse wave of Scandinavian actor. Having once considered a career in the police force, Zeciri had his attentions diverted and senses heightened when joining a theatre company in 2009. From there his career has blossomed, culminating in a leading role in Magnus von Horn’s THE GIRL WIH THE NEEDLE (2024), which premiered at Cannes, and is Denmark’s official Oscar entry. Zeciri also starred in WAY HOME (2024) and OUTLAW (2021), which won the young actor a Robert Award, courtesy of the Danish Film Academy. --- Picture Credit: Martin Dam Kristensen
Besir Zeciri
Denmark
Estonian Film Institute
Estonia
Maarja Johanna Mägi is well-known to Estonian audiences, appealing to both adults and children alike given her versatile, and accessible work on local television. Her break came when Elmo Nüganen took a punt for his popular film trilogy MELCHIOR THE APOTHECARY (2022), which won Mägi the Best Film Actress accolade at the Estonian Film Awards, which followed on from her recognition as a Black Nights Star at the prestigious, annual film festival held every year in Tallinn. She can be next seen taking a starring role in the AURORA (2025). Another stand-out credit is Ergo Kuld’s FAULTY BRIDES (2023). --- Picture Credit: Rasmus Kull
Maarja Johanna Mägi
Estonia
Spielkind GmbH
Germany
Devrim Lingnau was born in Mannheim to a Turkish father, and a German mother. With a passion for the arts, and a promising international career already underway, Lingnau impressed in British horror flick CARMILLA (2019), where she starred alongside Jessica Raine and Tobias Menzies. She is also the face of The Emmy-winning Netflix drama series THE EMPRESS (2022), which won her the Best Newcomer award at the German Screen Actor Awards. Her next major role is in Mehmet Akif Büyükatalay’s psychological, and pertinent thriller HYSTERIA (2025). --- Picture Credit: Elena Zaucke
Devrim Lingnau
Germany
Creative Artists Iceland
Iceland
Elín Hall is a multi-talented performer with a list of impressive screen credits. Born in Canada, the Icelandic star began to showcase her ability in the likes of LET ME FALL (2018), and COLD (2023). Her performance exploring the complexity of grief in Rúnar Rúnarsson’s WHEN THE LIGHT BREAKS (2024), which opened the Un Certain Regard strand at Cannes 2024, has awarded her numerous awards. She also portrays a young Vigdís Finnbogadóttir, the world’s first democratically elected female president, in the series VIGDÍS. Elín also straddles the line between music and film, with two albums already to her name. --- Picture Credit: Ari Magg
Elín Hall
Iceland
National Film Centre of Latvia
Latvia
Kārlis Arnolds Avots is one of Latvia’s most compelling actors – building a career through unique & challenging roles. Having starred in Viesturs Kairisš’s JANUARY (2022), which was submitted as Latvia’s official entry for the Academy Awards, it won Avots the Best Actor award at the Rome Film Festival in 2022. The actor received further international recognition, taking home the top actor prize at Series Mania in Lille, for his performance in SOVIET JEANS (2024). The performer, who stands tall, both figuratively and literally, is using his height to his advantage, starring as female basketball player Ulyana Semyonova in her forthcoming biopic. --- Picture Credit: Arturs Kondrats
Kārlis Arnolds Avots
Latvia
Lithuanian Film Centre
Lithuania
Šarūnas Zenkevičius is a shining light in the exciting Lithuanian film industry and the prolific young actor was exposed to the glitz and glamour of international film festivals right from the very start of his screen career. FROST (2017) premiered at Cannes, and THE FLOOD WON’T COME 2020) in Venice. Other notable works include the short film I WAS MAX (2022) and his leading role in Ignas Jonynas’s upcoming drama BORDERLINE (2025) where he plays a troubled ornithologist, who gets involved in smuggling. --- Picture Credit: Miglė Kirklytė
Šarūnas Zenkevičius
Lithuania
ZONA Talent Agency
Montenegro
Lidija Kordić started acting professionally while still studying at drama school. The Montenegrin actress has since showcased her talents right across Europe. With a starring turn in WORKING CLASS GOES TO HELL (2023) on home soil, to Turkish production Ataturk 1881-1919 (2023), Kordić can next be seen adorning the screen in Italian feature DIVA FUTURA (2025); a sumptuous period piece that sees the actress play the famous adult film star Cicciolina. With a knack for languages, she even has the voice to go with it, with her first solo album releasing soon. --- Picture Credit: John Pavlish
Lidija Kordić
Montenegro
Carrelo Squad
Portugal
Vicente Wallenstein is a subtle actor with many strings to his bow. Having appeared across film, TV and with plenty of stage credits, it has been his recent foray into cinema that has caught the eye. 2024 was quite the year for the young actor, having taken a starring role in Luis Filipe Rocha’s YOUR FACE WILL BE THE LAST, which also allowed him to display his talents as a pianist. Last year also saw Wallenstein appear in both ROMAGEM, and AFTER DANCE – A CONCERT FILM. He also enjoyed a shorter, if still enjoyable experience, on PADDINGTON IN PERU. --- Picture Credit: João Paulo
Vicente Wallenstein
Portugal
Actors in Scandinavia
Sweden
Frida Gustavsson hails from Sweden and belongs to the Bergmanian school of performance. This much is evident in her uniquely complex turn as Marianne in drama series FAITHLESS (2024), which is based on an original script by the legendary filmmaker, resulting in rave reviews since its premiere at TIFF. Other screen credits include her leading turn in VIKINGS: VALHALLA (2022), and a supporting role in Netflix’s THE WITCHER (2019). Gustavsson also impressed in Swedish Oscar-entry TIGERS (2020), while her next project sees her share the screen with Joel Kinnaman, in ICE FALL (2025). --- Picture Credit: Martin Kiessling
Frida Gustavsson
Sweden
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