European Shooting Stars 24

european shooting stars 2024 at the berlin international film festival

SteinbrennerMüller Kommunikation Jasmin Knich & Kristian Müller mail@steinbrennermueller.de

press & industry kit

intro

Welcome to the European Shooting Stars 2024! Join us to celebrate the unveiling of Europe’s brightest acting talents. Whether they are emerging stars or already making waves nationally, these actors have captivated our jury with the depth of their talent and the passion of their commitment. The four-day programme, initiated by European Film Promotion, offers a unique opportunity for these 10 selected actors to engage with casting directors, international journalists and producers, fostering connections that will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of their careers. The highlight of this experience is the European Shooting Stars Awards Ceremony at the Berlinale Palast. Here, these actors will be honoured for their outstanding potential and their readiness to step onto the international stage.

Tina Hajon Programme Director European Shooting Stars Sonja Heinen Managing Director European Film Promotion

Celebrate the best – Europe’s next generation of acting talent!

european shooting stars 2024

All of this is only possible thanks to our numerous partners, first and foremost Creative Europe - MEDIA Programme of the European Union as well as the German Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Medienboard BerlinBrandenburg, German Films and Spotlight.

content Margarita Stoykova Bulgaria page 06

Suzy Bemba France page 08

Thibaud Dooms Belgium page 04

jury page 24

Éanna Hardwicke Ireland page 14

Džiugas Grinys Lithuania page 18

Kamila Urzędowska Salome Demuria Poland Georgia page 20 page 10

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Katharina Stark Germany page 12

Asta Kamma August Sweden page 22

Valentina Bellè Italy page 16

jury statement

Thibaud Dooms Belgium

In Koen Mortier’s Skunk, Belgian actor Thibaud Dooms shines with a remarkable and memorable performance. His versatile and unique portrayal captures a character dealing with tragedy, blending sensitivity and intensity in a rare and captivating manner. He exudes charisma and is utterly engaging.

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date of birth: 12 June 2001 place of birth: Oudenaarde, Belgium languages: dutch (flemish), english contact: Favor Talents Amsterdam, The Netherlands +31639466894 vanessa@favortalents.com nominated by: Flanders Image selected works: Skunk feature film directed by Koen Mortier Belgium, 2023 leading role Zeevonk feature film directed by Domian Huyghe Belgium, 2023 supporting role

C o p y r i g h t l e f t + r i g h t © I l j a Ke i z e r

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From a young age, Thibaud Dooms was fascinated by theatre and acting. At 15 he left home to study drama at the Lemmens Institute. He is also a graduate of the Academy of Theatre and Dance (ATKA), receiving his Bachelor in acting in 2023. He was awarded the Top Naeff Prize, the oldest theatre student prize in the country, given to a promising student graduating from ATKA. While at the Academy, he performed in Atropa for Theater Utrecht and in Odyssey for Noord Nederlands Theater. On screen, Thibaud was cast in the short films Jules et Jeremy and Elagabalus. In 2022 he starred in the feature film Zeevonk, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival. He played the lead role in Koen Mortier‘s feature film Skunk, a world premiere at Just Film in Tallinn where it received the Jury Prize. In addition to being a versatile actor, Thibaud is a writer, poet, singer, piano player and visual artist. He has just directed a short film, God Lives in Texas, in which he played all male and female roles.

Thibaud Dooms in Skunk by Koen Mortier Belgium, 2023

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Skunk follows Liam, a neglected teen who is taken away from his parents’ home, where substances and violence reigned. Trading his school for a closed youth facility, he has trouble starting over again as he gets bullied even worse there. Although Liam finds solace with a new friend and social workers at first, when he revisits old traumas during counseling, his past keeps haunting him. Skunk is based on a novel written by Geert Taghon. production CZAR Film & TV

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Margarita Stoykova Bulgaria

jury statement

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Bulgaria’s Margarita Stoykova astounds in Dyad; her debut performance showcases her fearlessness as an actor. She skilfully tackles the sensitive issues of a young woman growing up in a hostile environment. Balancing vulnerability and maturity, Stoykova portrays a multifaceted character exceptionally well. Initially appearing unsympathetic, her character gradually reveals layers of fragility. Stoykova’s rawness and bravery in exploring extremes signify her as a standout talent.

date of birth: 21 April 2004 place of birth: Povdiv, Bulgaria languages: bulgarian, russian, english contact: Bulgarian National Film Center Sofia, Bulgaria nfc@nfc.bg nominated by: Bulgarian National Film Center selected work: Dyad feature film by Yana Titova Bulgaria, 2023 leading role

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Margarita Stoykova’s journey to her current career began with small steps at the age of 6 when she started dancing professionally and went on to win multiple European titles. She had barely turned 18 in summer 2022, when she was cast in her first lead role for the big screen in director Yana Titova’s second feature film, Dyad. The film had its world premiere in competition at the Warsaw International Film Festival in October 2023. Dyad went on to win numerous awards, including Best Film U 18 at Cottbus Film Festival, Grand Prix at Just Film in Tallinn and 4 awards at Golden Rose Film Festival including Best Film and the City of Varna Award for Margarita’s performance. Prior to that, Margarita had worked with Titova in a supporting role in the popular TV series Dads (2021/2022). She speaks Bulgarian, Russian and English and plans to continue following her dream in the acting world.

C o p y r i g h t l e f t + r i g h t ©A n g e l Z a h a r i n o v

Margarita Stoykova in Dyad by Yana Titova Bulgaria, 2023

Smart, angry, self-reliant Dida (15) will stop at nothing to achieve a single tangible goal – to buy a plane ticket so she can join her estranged mother in the United States. A special offer on a ticket to New York is to expire in a few hours. Dida steals, punches and bullies for cash. As the pressure builds up, she loses her temper and is suspended from school. Alone and cornered, Dida snaps, and there is no way back.

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production Portokal

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jury statement

Suzy Bemba France

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France’s Suzy Bemba shines in Catherine Corsini’s Homecoming. Her character, torn between family and personal desires, is portrayed with depth. Bemba’s subtle acting style draws viewers into her character’s journey. She navigates the delicate nuances of her character’s struggles, leaving a lasting impact with her stunning performance.

date of birth: 22 June 2000 place of birth: Martigues, France languages: french, english, spanish contact: Adéquat Paris, France +33622212556 e.fecamp@agence-adequat.com nominated by: Unifrance selected works: Homecoming feature film by Catherine Corsini France, 2023 leading role Drift feature film by Anthony Chen UK, France, Greece, 2023 supporting role Opera drama series created and directed by Cécile Ducrocq, Benjamin Adam France, 2021 leading role

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Raised in Allier, France, Suzy Bemba was originally destined to be a surgeon. While studying medicine, she became increasingly fascinated with cinema and in the summer of 2019, she shot her first film Kandisha by French directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, returning to her studies in biology afterwards. It did not take long before she was cast in the leading role of Flora, a ballerina in the corps de ballet, opposite Ariane Labed in the mesmerizing television drama, L’Opera. 2023 proved to be a very busy year for Suzy. She began the year at the Sundance Film Festival with her role in Drift by Anthony Chen; then came her role as Jessica in Catherine Corsini’s Homecoming which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in competition for the Palme d’Or. Suzy rounded things out starring as Toinette in Yorgos Lanthimos’ critically acclaimed film Poor Things, winner of the Golden Lion at the 2023 Venice Film Festival and the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.

Suzy Bemba in Homecoming by Catherine Corsini France, 2023 Khédidja works for a wealthy Parisian family, who offer her the chance to look after their children for a summer in Corsica. It’s an opportunity for her to return with her daughters, Jessica and Farah, to the island they left 15 years earlier in tragic circumstances. While Khédidja struggles with her memories, the two teenagers indulge in all the temptations of summer: unexpected encounters, the 400 knocks, first experiences of love. This trip will be an opportunity for them to discover a hidden part of their history.

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production Chaz Productions

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jury statement

Salome Demuria Georgia

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Georgia’s Salome Demuria beguiles in The Antique, captivating the audience with her subtle yet powerful portrayal. Demuria expertly navigates the character’s emotional journey with a genuinely heartbreaking performance. In the film, Demuria’s acting prowess elevates it to an emotionally resonant and memorable experience. She is a remarkable talent.

date of birth: 01 May 1985 place of birth: Gali, Georgia languages: georgian, english, russian contact: Georgian National Film Center Tbilisi, Georgia info@gnfc.ge nominated by: Georgian National Film Center selected work: The Antique feature film by Rusudan Glurjidze 2024 leading role Inhale-Exhale feature film by Dimitri Tsintsadze Georgia,Sweden, Russia, 2019 leading role The House of Others feature film by Rusudan Glurjidze Georgia, Spain, Croatia, Russia, 2016 leading role

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Salome Demuria was born in Abkhazia, Georgia. When she was just 7 years old, war broke out in her home country. Despite all the challenges, Salome pursued her dream of acting. She trained at the Shota Rustaveli Theatre and Film University and graduated in 2007. She began her career on stage at the George Eristavi Gori State Drama Theatre before moving on to the big screen. Salome made her film debut as the lead in the 2012 feature Seagull. Her performance garnered several Best Actress awards including the Titano d’Oro at San Marino International Film Festival. For her performance in the film Inhale-Exhale, Salome was honoured as Best Actress at Shanghai International Film Festival, Almaty Independent Film Festival and Minsk International Film Festival. Her further credits include Steppe Man, The Summer of Frozen Fountains and House of Others, winner of the Golden Arena for Best Acting Performance at Pula International Film Festival. Her latest film is The Antique by Rusudan Glurjidze.

Salome Demuria The Antique by Rusudan Glurjidze in

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2024

Russia during the cruel, illegal mass deportation campaign of Georgians. A young Georgian woman Medea, who recently sold her house in Georgia, goes to view an apartment in St. Petersburg’s historic center. It is on sale for a very low price, but it comes together with its owner, an old man named Vadim Vadimich. Medea is pleased with everything, even the prospect of having an old man as a flat mate doesn’t scare her. She is ready to move in immediately and start a new life but she should have a month-long probation period.

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jury statement

Katharina Stark Germany

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In the Disney+ series The Interpreter of Silence, Katharina Stark from Germany delivers a nuanced depiction of an interpreter for the Auschwitz trials. This series delves into dark themes, and Stark executes an emotionally charged and demanding role with ease. Her character’s depth is conveyed through a performance that is both understated and compelling.

date of birth: 26 September 1998 place of birth: Illertissen, Germany languages: german, english, french, spanish, polish contact: Agentur Schlag Berlin, Germany +49303277934 post@schlag-agentur.de nominated by: German Films selected works: The Interpreter of Silence drama series created by Annette Hess directed by Isa Prahl, Randa Chahoud Poland, Germany, 2023 leading role Dead Girls Dancing feature film by Anna Roller Germany, 2023 leading role

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At the age of 16, Katharina Stark had her first role in the lead ensemble in the German children‘s fantasy film König Laurin. Following that, she completed a four-year degree at the prestigious Drama School Otto Falckenberg in 2022. Through out her studies, she appeared in numerous films, television shows and plays, often at the award-winning theatre Münchner Kammerspiele. On the big screen, she played a lead role in Dead Girls Dancing by Anna Roller. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival 2022 in New York and was shown at Filmfest München where Katharina was nominated as Best Young Actress in the category New German Cinema. Katharina then played the lead protagonist in the German Disney+ The Interpreter of Silence which premiered in November 2023. Other recent leading roles include the film Sturm und Drang and the ARTE/ZDF episodic series I Am the Greatest. Her most recent project has her cast in the lead role in Mathias Kreter’s debut feature film December Evening.

Katharina Stark in The Interpreter of Silence created by Annette Hess Poland, Germany, 2023

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Frankfurt, 1963: Eva Bruhns (Katharina Stark) is a young woman who works as a Polish-to-German interpreter in Frankfurt. She lives with her parents, who run the restaurant ‚Deutsches Haus‘. Eva is about to get engaged to the wealthy mail-order company heir Jürgen Schoormann when she receives a last-minute request to interpret in court: the city is preparing its first Auschwitz trial of former SS officers. Eva’s parents and her fiancé-to-be strongly disapprove. Eva has never heard of Auschwitz before, but something drives her to ignore their misgivings and accept the job. It is only when Eva starts interpreting that she grasps the extent of the National Socialist killing machine – and gradually realises that she has a personal connection to this place. Crimes, suffering and guilt of an entire generation were concealed and suppressed. Eva becomes the voice of the witnesses of one of the greatest crimes of humanity, relentlessly and unsparingly faces her own past and the secrets of her own family, inseparable from the cruel truth. production Gaumont

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jury statement

Éanna Hardwicke Ireland

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Ireland’s Éanna Hardwicke in Lakelands delivers a fascinating portrayal of a Gaelic footballer. His performance is nothing short of gripping, skilfully revealing layers of sensitivity beneath a seemingly tough exterior. Hardwicke’s star quality and his ability to connect with the audience make this film a compelling watch. His memorable portrayal lingers long after the film has finished.

date of birth: 20 October 1996 place of birth: Cork, Ireland languages: english, spanish, gaelic contact: Susannah Norris Agency Ireland +353868628468 susannah@susannahnorris.com nominated by: Screen Ireland / Fís Éireann selected works: Lakelands feature film by Robert Higgins, Patrick McGivney Ireland, 2023 leading role The Sixth Commandment drama series created by Sarah Phelps, directed by Saul Dibb UK, 2023 leading role The Doll Factory drama series created by Charley Miles, directed by Sacha Polak, Cathy Brady UK, 2023 leading role Copyright lef t © W il Coban + right © Shane O’Connor

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Éanna Hardwicke hails from Cork, Ireland. His first professional credit was as a child actor in Conor McPherson’s 2009 horror film The Eclipse. Éanna graduated with a BA degree in acting from The Lír Academy, Dublin in 2018. Just prior to graduation he was cast in the feature Vivarium, which premiered at Cannes Critics’ Week 2019. His other credits include Normal People; Fate: The Winx Saga Season 2 for Netflix; The Sparrow; three seasons of the TV series Smother for the BBC & RTÉ; and Joan Verra. His short film At Arm’s Length, co-written with Tom Monahan and directed by Brian Deane premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2022. In 2023, he was named a Screen International Rising Star in the publication’s inaugural Irish edition; was nominated for Best Actor in a Lead Role – Film, IFTA for Lakelands; and performed in BBC1’s The Sixth Commandment. He can currently be seen in the series The Doll Factory for Paramount+. Next up: the TV mini-series A Very Royal Scandal directed by Julian Jarrold.

Éanna Hardwicke in Lakelands by Robert Higgins, Patrick McGivney Ireland, 2023

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Following a violent attack on a night out, Cian O’Reilly (Éanna Hardwicke), a promising young Gaelic footballer, sustains a life-changing injury. Cian, a young farmer, had been happy with his lot: working contentedly alongside his father on the farm, partying with friends, and performing well on the pitch. His world is shattered when a serious head injury forces him off the field, and he struggles to reimagine an identity in the small midlands town where GAA is at the beating heart of the community. Some comfort arrives in the shape of an old girl friend, home from London to nurse her ailing father. Lakelands, the debut feature from writer/directors Robert Higgins and Patrick McGivney – set in their hometown of Granard, Co. Longford – captures the cadence of local banter, and the idiosyncrasies and pleasures of midlands youth culture, cel e brating lives that are multi faceted, complex, and as inherently dramatic as they are satisfying. production Screen Ireland & Harp Media

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jury statement

Valentina Bellè Italy

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In the Disney+ series The Good Mothers, Italy’s Valentina Bellè is magnetic. She shines in this ensemble based on the true story of an Italian mafia clan. Bellè’s arresting performance steals the spotlight as the audience follows her journey and roots for her throughout this tense drama. She leaves a lasting impact on the audience with her raw and natural talent, establishing herself as one to watch.

date of birth: 16 April 1992 place of birth: Verona, Italy languages: italian, english contact: Take Off Artist Management Rome, Italy +393482425692 r.cicolani@takeoffartistmanagement.com nominated by: Cinecittà selected works: The Good Mothers drama series created by Stephen Butchard directed by Julian Jarrold, Elisa Amoruso Italy, UK, 2023 leading role Lubo feature film by Giorgio Diritti Italy, Switzerland, 2023 leading role Rainbow: A Private Affair feature film by Paolo Taviani Italy, 2017 leading role C o p y r i g h t l e f t + r i g h t © G u i d o S t a z zo n i

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Valentina Bellè studied acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York and Italy’s National Film School (CSC). In 2014, she was in The Obscene Life by Renato de Maria (Venice Film Festival), La Buca by Daniele Ciprì and Wondrous Boccaccio, the first of two films directed by Paolo and Vittorio Taviani. The second Taviani Brothers film, Rainbow: A Private Affair, premiered in the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. She has also appeared in The Furlough, Stories of Love That Cannot Belong to This World (Locarno Film Festival) and Into the Labyrinth, with Toni Servillo and Dustin Hoffman. In 2023 Valentina was in two films in competition at the Venice Film Festival: Ferrari and Lubo. Her many TV roles include Genius: Picasso with Antonio Banderas; Medici: Masters of Florence; Catch-22, a miniseries by George Clooney and The Good Mothers for which she won the Italian Nastro D’Argento Award for Supporting Actress in 2023. Her next project is La Vita Accanto by Marco Tullio Giordana.

Valentina Bellè in The Good Mothers created by Stephen Butchard Italy, United Kingdom, 2023

production Wildside

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Based on the novel of the same name by Alex Perry, The Good Mothers tells a true story dating back to 2009-2010. In Calabria, the magistrate Anna Colace, a woman in a very masculine world, develops a new tactic to fight the ‘Ndrangheta clans: involving the women of the clans by leveraging the terrible existence they are forced to live, to convince them to become collaborators of justice and offer valuable information for the capture and indictment of the bosses. It’s a strategy that involves great risks: the ‘Ndrangheta is known and feared for its iron fist and insidious power. The Good Mothers follows Denise, Giuseppina and Maria Concetta in their attempt to free themselves from criminal power and collaborate with justice.

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Džiugas Grinys Lithuania

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In the coming-of-age film Southern Chronicles, Lithuanian actor Džiugas Grinys delivers a resonating performance. Grinys seamlessly transitions from theatre to film with his natural portrayal of a young rugby player’s experience of first love. Making unconventional choices in this heartfelt performance, he showcases a promising future in the world of cinema.

date of birth: 21 July 1998 place of birth: Molėtai, Lithuania languages: lithuanian, english contact: Facebar Vilnius, Lithuania +37064803140 barman@facebar.lt nominated by: Lithuanian Film Centre selected works: Southern Chronicles feature film by Ignas Miškinis Lithuania, Estonia, 2023 leading role

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Džiugas Grinys graduated with a Theatre Arts degree from the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre having studied under Lithuania’s renowned theatre director, Oskaras Koršunovas. Immediately upon completing his studies, Džiugas embarked on a career on the big screen with a debut leading role as Rimants in Southern Chronicles. With his dedication to the stage and over the course of a wide-ranging five-year career in theatre, Džiugas has worked with Oskara Koršunovas as well as alongside rising theatre stars. He has represented Lithuanian theatre on the international stage, participating in various theatre festivals around the globe where his work has won critical praise. On the big screen, he has collaborated with leading directors Algimantas Puipa (Cinephilia, 2021) and Kristijonas Vildžiūnas (Songs for a Fox, 2021). His most recent film is Robertas Kuliūnas’ Aš Gyvas (2023).

C o p y r i g h t l e f t + r i g h t ©To m a s K a u n e c k a s

Džiugas Grinys in Southern Chronicles by Ignas Miškinis Lithuania, Estonia, 2024

production In Script

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In a working-class neighbourhood of the Lithuanian city of Siauliai, a few years after the restoration of the country’s independence, lives brawny 17-year-old Rimants. More interested in playing rugby, listening to bands and dealing on the black market with his friend Minde than studying at school – much to the disapproval of his parents – Rimants is certain that physical strength and money are the essentials for success in a changing, competitive society. But when he meets and falls in love with the beautiful, middle class Monika, Rimants is introduced to a new world of literature, culture and alternative possibilities which he explores with guarded enthusiasm. However, frustrated by the difficult, fickle nature of young love and the ever-present obstacles of class, Rimants eventually casts aside the expectations of others and begins to contemplate a future on his own terms.

Kamila Urzędowska Poland

jury statement In the animated period drama The Peasants, Kamila Urzędowska from Poland is beguiling. She delivers a performance that is nothing short of revelatory. Urzędowska is a versatile talent, bringing this character to life with her innocence and tenacity. Her unique energy signals a promising future ahead.

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date of birth: 07 January 1994 place of birth: Paczków, Poland languages: polish, english, german contact: Gramy! Agency & Management Warsaw, Poland +48608033866, +48793091079 olga.przypkowska@agencjagramy.pl paulina.gasior@agencjagramy.pl nominated by: Polish Film Institute selected works: The Peasants feature film by DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman Poland, 2023 leading role Żmijowisko drama series created by Dana Łukasińska directed by Łukasz Palkowski Poland, 2019 supporting role

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Kamila Urzędowska was born in a small village in southern Poland. She trained and graduated from the Wroclaw Theatre School in 2020. While still studying, she made her debut in the main role in the series Żmijowisko directed by Łukasz Palkowski for Canal+. Kamila subsequently starred in the award-winning film 25 Years of Innocence directed by Jan Holoubek. Her career took off and garnered international attention when she was cast in the main role in the film The Peasants directed by Oscar winners DK Welchman and Hugh Welchman. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was selected to be the Polish candidate for the Oscar as Best International Film in 2023. Kamila’s perfor mance in The Peasants was honoured at the 48th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia where she was nominated for the award for Leading Actress and was honoured with the Crystal Star Elle and the Chopard Loves Cinema Acting Debut Award.

Kamila Urzędowska The Peasants by DK Welchman, Hugh Welchman Poland, 2023

The Peasants tells the story of Jagna, a young woman determined to forge her own path within the confines of a late 19th century Polish village – a hotbed of gossip and on-going feuds, held together, rich and poor, by pride in their land, adherence to colourful traditions and a deep-rooted patriarchy. When Jagna finds herself caught between the conflicting desires of the village’s richest farmer, his eldest son and other leading men of the community, her resistance puts her on a tragic collision course with the community around her.

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production BreakThru Films

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Asta Kamma August Sweden

jury statement

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Sweden’s Asta Kamma August delivers a riveting and raw performance in The Hypnosis. Her enigmatic portrayal of a woman on the verge of a crisis makes for a thrilling journey. You never know what she will do next. In this role, she is fearless and bold, commanding the audience’s attention and establishing herself as a standout talent.

date of birth: 05 November 1991 place of birth: Stockholm, Sweden languages: swedish, danish, english contact: Lindberg Management Copenhagen, Denmark +4533111557 md@lindbergmanagement.com nominated by: Swedish Film Institute selected works: The Hypnosis feature film by Ernst de Geer Sweden, Norway, 2023 leading role Burn All My Letters feature film by Björn Runge Sweden, 2022 leading role Blackwater drama series created by Maren Louise Käehne, Karin Arrhenius directed by Mikael Marcimain Sweden, 2023 leading role Copyright lef t + right © S tellan Runge

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Asta Kamma August graduated from The Danish National School of Performing Arts in 2017. That same year, Asta won The Believe in You Award of the Lauritzen Foundation and the esteemed Reumert Talent Award for her role on stage as Ofelia in Hamlet. She swiftly gained recognition for her performances in a variety of film and television productions. She has worked with acclaimed Danish directors Bille August (The Pact) and Lars von Trier (The Kingdom). Her recent projects include leading roles in Kalak, which premiered and won two awards at San Sebastian Film Festival, and The Hypnosis, which premiered at Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in 2023. In Burn All My Letters (2022) she shared the screen with former Shooting Stars Bill Skarsgård and Gustav Lindh. On television, Asta appeared in the series SEX (2020), where her portrayal of Cathrine earned her a nomination for a Danish Film Award, and in Blackwater (2023). Next up is Thomas Vinterberg’s highly anticipated series Families Like Ours.

Asta Kamma August in The Hypnosis by Ernst de Geer Sweden, Norway, 2023 André and Vera are a young entrepreneurial couple. They get the opportunity to pitch their female health app at a prestigious competition. Before going there, Vera tries hypnotherapy to quit smoking. From this point, her attitude changes and André starts to behave unexpectedly. As Veras way of expressing herself more freely threatens to ruin André´s career, he takes drastic measures to hold her back. The Hypnosis is an absurdly comical relationship film about fitting in, that ponders the question whether it’s really such a good idea to always be yourself.

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production Garagefilm International

2 0 2 3 G a r a g e f i l m I n t e r n a t i o n a l A B , F i l m i V ä s t , M e r F i l m , To t e m A t e l i e r. A l l r i g h t s r e s e r v e d , J o n a t h a n B j e r s t e d t

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jury Živilė Gallego

Moe Dunford

director austria

producer lithuania

actor ireland

Austrian director, screenwriter and producer Barbara Albert had her international breakthrough with the feature film debut Nordrand, which premiered in competition at the Venice Film Festival in 1999. Leading actress Nina Proll was honoured with the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actress and a year later was celebrated as Austria’s European Shooting Star. Barbara Albert cofounded coop99, which produced European arthouse films such as The Edukators, Darwin’s Nighmare, Toni Erdmann and Quo Vadis Aida?, which was nominated for an Oscar as best International Feature Film. Her sixth feature film as a director, Blind Heart, celebrated its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival in October 2023.

Živilė Gallego hails from Lithuania and was 2015 Producer on the Move. The multi-award winning producer and founder of Fralita Films has been responsible for films such as the 2015 Lithuanian Oscar submission and Sundance winner The Summer of Sangailė by Alantė Kavaitė, the national box office hit Emilia, Breaking Free by Donatas Ulvydas and, A Butterflys‘ Heart by Inesa Kurklietytė. Her recent film Remember to Blink by Austėja Urbaitė won the Lithuanian National Awards Silver Crane in the categories Best Film, Best Director, and Best Sound Director.

Jury member and former Irish European Shooting Star Moe Dunford recently starred as Alex Kurtz in the second season of The Head by Jorge Dorado alongside John Lynch. Moe’s recent on-screen appearances include the role of Richter in the US-Film for Netflix Texas Chainsaw Massacre by David Blue Garcia and as Budge in Stephen Fingleton’s Nightride, for which he won an IFTA Best Actor award in 2022. Moe will be seen in the second season of The Dry in late 2023 and in Conflict by Aku Louhimes in 2024.

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european shooting stars 2024

Barbara Albert

jury Vassilis Economou

casting director united kingdom

film critic greece

The BAFTA Award for the British sitcom We are Lady Parts by Nida Manzoor brought Aisha Bywaters international recognition. Her casting credits include the TV series The Baby and Man vs Bee as well as the critically acclaimed films The Last Tree by Shoola Amoo and County Lines by Henry Blake. Her upcoming projects include Netflix and Film4 feature The Kitchen by Kibwe Tavares and Daniel Kaluuya and Channel 4 / Disney’s TV adaption of Candice Carty-Williams’ acclaimed novel Queenie.

The jury is rounded off with the Public Relations officer, senior writer and industry reporter at Cineuropa.org, Vassilis Economou. Previously, he programmed at the Tallinn Black Night Film Festival, gained experience as international press coordinator at the Odesa International Film Festival and was a member of the advisory board of the Antalya Film Forum.

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european shooting stars 2024

Aisha Bywaters

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ICDA INTERNATIONAL CASTING DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION

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