Discover who the 2026 European Shooting Stars are, and how they were honoured at this year’s Berlinale.
Berlinale is back, and that means the European Film Promotion (EFP) has once again selected 10 exceptionally talented acting newcomers to be the Shooting Stars. Now in its 29th year, the European Shooting Stars is an important stepping stone in launching the international careers of these performers, each of whom was selected from a qualifying EU country.
The performers chosen for the 2026 European Shooting Stars are:
- Fatlume Bunjaku (Albania)
- Lucas Englander (Austria)
- Violet Braeckman (Belgium)
- Salif Cissé (France)
- Enno Trebs (Germany)
- Danielle Galligan (Ireland)
- Tecla Insolia (Italy)
- Joes Brauers (The Netherlands)
- Sofia Tjelta Sydness (Norway)
- Cleo Diára (Portugal)
All the Shooting Stars attended Berlinale for a four-day programme, where they had the chance to meet casting directors, agents, press and other industry professionals. This incredible opportunity helped boost their visibility within the industry, allowing them to connect with key decision-makers and demonstrate their acting talents. At the end of the event, they were presented with Shooting Star Awards during the EFP Gala Dinner.
This year’s Shooting Stars joins a long and star-studded list of alumni, including Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Andrew Scott, Ruth Negga, Daniel Brühl, Alicia Vikander, Riz Ahmed, Carey Mulligan, Maisie Williams, George McKay, Carla Juri and, of course, 2025’s winner, Lidija Kordić.
European Shooting Stars is sponsored by partners Spotlight and Filmmakers – the go-to platforms for performers, agents and casting directors across Europe. The International Casting Directors Association (ICDA) and The Casting Society (CSA), who both cast plenty of projects through Spotlight and Filmmakers, are also official partners of the programme.
Congratulations to all the Shooting Stars of 2026! Take a look at our website for more awards news and industry advice.
