Screen International’s 2026 Stars of Tomorrow winners announced as Spotlight returns as headline sponsor.
Since 2004, Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow has showcased rising stars across acting and filmmaking throughout the UK and Ireland, and we’re delighted to sponsor the 2026 edition.
The talent programme has an impressive track record of championing breakout stars, with alumni including Paul Mescal, Richard Gadd, Barry Keoghan and Florence Pugh. Recent winners from the 2025 cohort include Owen Cooper (Adolescence), Bella Maclean (Rivals) and Peter Claffey (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms).
“Spotlight is delighted to support Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow. The unveiling of each new cohort is an annual highlight for our entire industry, and we take great pride in celebrating these talented actors and filmmakers as they go on to star in and shape the extraordinary stories of the future. – David Flynn, Director of Partnerships at Spotlight
This year’s selection – curated by Screen International’s awards and box office editor, Charles Gant – spotlights an exceptional group of actors and filmmakers already defining the next generation of storytelling. Let’s meet them.
The 2026 Stars of Tomorrow
Actors
In front of the camera, the 2026 acting selection highlights performers breaking through across major international features and high-end television.
- Bo Bragason – Renegade Nell, The Jetty and soon to be seen in The Legend of Zelda
- Galaxy Clear – Extra Geography and soon to be seen in The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾
- Sekou Diaby – Waterloo Road, Boarders and soon to be seen in Animol
- Leisha Gwenllian – Still Water, Madfabulous and and Effi O Blaenau (in selected cinemas now)
- Isla Johnston – The Queen’s Gambit and soon to be seen in Baz Luhrmann’s Joan of Arc
- Jonathan Jules – Small Axe and soon to be seen in Florid
- David McKenna – Lord of the Flies and soon to be seen in The Magician’s Nephew
- Cal O’Driscoll – Vikings: Valhalla, Video Nasty and soon to be seen in the Peaky Blinders sequel
- Mitchell Robertson – Mayflies, Half Man and soon to be seen in All The Colours
- Rosie Sheehy – Chernobyl, Pillion and soon to be seen in The Custom of the Country
Filmmakers
- Yasmin Afifi (Writer/Director) – BAFTA-winning short Jellyfish And Lobster, currently developing its feature adaptation with BBC Film
- Fateme Ahmadi (Writer/Director) – BFI, BBC and Screen Ireland-backed Daughter of Eden
- Dorothy Allen-Pickard (Writer/Director) – In production on her debut feature documentary, BFI Doc Society-backed We Do Not Consent
- Hollie Bryan (Producer) – 2026 BAFTA Film Nominated feature, The Ceremony
- Eoin Doran (Writer/Director) – 2026 BAFTA-nominated for co-writing Wasteman. Made his debut short as a writer/director on Karavidhe
- Luis Hindman (Writer/Director) – Upcoming feature films include Beasts and Little Man, both are in development with Film4.
- Bertil Nilsson (Director) – Debut Feature, Masc, premiered at TIFF and is heading to the BFI London Film Festival
- Theo Rhys (Director) – Debut feature, Stuffed, is an adaptation of his BAFTA-nominated short film.
- Jonathan Schey (Director) – Debut feature Everybody Wants to F*ck Me premiered at TIFF
- Katie Sinclair (Producer) – Producing Sharon Horgan’s first feature screenplay, 25 Scenes as well as Fireworks Every Night
All of this year’s UK and Ireland Stars of Tomorrow were celebrated at an exclusive event in London on September 23. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we bring you exclusive interviews with this year’s winners.
As these rising stars continue to make their mark on screen and behind the camera, Spotlight remains dedicated to supporting creative artists at every stage of their careers. Congratulations to all 20 of this year’s Stars of Tomorrow — we look forward to seeing where their talents lead next.
