Daniel Brühl Applauds This Year’s
Finest Young Acting Talent Awards Ceremony for the 2016 European Shooting Stars at the Berlinale Palast

BELGIUM: Martha Canga Antonio
Nominated by Flanders Image

Selected film:
Black (2015) by Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah

Jury’s comment:  
“In 'Black’, a story about gang violence in Brussels' notorious Molenbeek neighbourhood, Martha gives an extraordinary debut as a modern Juliet. In her very first role, she already shows great timing, courage and determination, and a natural acting ability.”

CROATIA: Tihana Lazović
Nominated by Croatian Audiovisual Centre

Selected films:
On The Other Side (2016) by Zrinko Ogresta
The High Sun (2015) by Dalibor Matanić
Hush... ( 2013) by Lukas Nola

Jury's comment:
“Playing three characters in three different stories of the Balkan conflict, Tihana carries all the emotions of love and hatred in her raw, forceful screen presence. We saw an instinctive, versatile actress who embodied the film’s life-affirming humanity.”

FRANCE: Lou de Laage
Nominated by UniFrance films

Selected films:
Agnus Dei (2016) by Anne Fontaine
The Wait (2015) by Piero Messina
Breathe (2014) by Mélanie Laurent

Jury's comment:
“In ‘L’attesa / The Wait’, Lou plays a young woman who is unaware of her ability of bringing solace to a family struck by tragedy. She is graceful, luminous, subtle and very affecting in telling this story of quiet self-affirmation.”

GERMANY: Jella Haase
Nominated by German Films

Selected films:
SUCK ME SHAKESPEER 2 ( 2015) by Bora Dagtekin
Four Kings (2015) by Theresa von Eltz
Combat Girls  (2012) by David Wnendt

Jury's comment:
“When it comes to playing outspoken, rebelllious and and slightly trashy characters with a heart of gold, Jella has German audiences at her feet – as witnessed again in ‘4 Könige / 4 Kings’. Now we can’t wait to see her apply that joyful energy in new, challenging and unexpected ways.”

GREECE: Daphné Patakia
Nominated by Greek Film Centre

Selected films:
Spring Awakening (2016) by Constantine Giannaris
Interruption (2015) by Yorgos Zois

Jury's comment:
“A charismatic presence on the screen, Daphne convinced the jury with her extraordinary focus, her air of mystery and her willingness to express extreme emotions in astonishing ways.”

ICELAND: Atli Óskar Fjalarsson
Nominated by Icelandic Film Centre

Selected films:
Sparrows (2015) by Rúnar Rúnarsson
The Press III (2012) by Óskar Jónasson
Jitters (2010) by Baldvin Z

Jury's comment:
“Atli convinced us with his generous, poetic yet contained performance in ‘Þrestir / Sparrows’. Playing a sensitive boy caught in a cold and harsh environment, he showed us a new and refreshing take on the role of the quiet dreamer.”

ITALY: Sara Serraiocco
Nominated by Istituto Luce Cinecittà/Italy

Selected film:
L’Accabadora (2015) by Enrico Pau
Chlorine (2015) by Lamberto Sanfelice
Salvo (2013) by Antonio Piazza, Fabio Grassadonia

Jury's comment:
“As a girl who has to fight for her dreams, Sara shines brightly in the coming-of-age story ‘Cloro / Chlorine’. We were impressed by her strong screen appearance and effortless physicality, and we admire the integrity that grounds all her performances.”

THE NETHERLANDS: Reinout Scholten van Aschat
Nominated by EYE International/The Netherlands

Selected films:
Beyond Sleep (2016) by Boudewijn Koole
Johan, Soccer Messiah (2014) by Pim van Hoeve (TV)
The Heineken Kidnapping (2011) by  Maarten Treurniet

Jury's comment:
“Often filmed all alone in Norway’s Finnmark wilderness, Reinout affirms himself as the magnetic centre of the philosophical adventure story ‘Nooit meer slapen / Beyond Sleep’. In a riveting performance, he walks the delicate line between lucidity and madness.”

SPAIN: Maria Valverde
Nominated by ICAA/Spain

Selected films:
Now Or Never (2015) by Maria Ripoll
Exodus: Gods And Kings (2014) by Ridley Scott
Madrid. 1987 (2012) by David Trueba 

Jury's comment:
“The camera just loves her extraordinary, unconventional face, and Maria has the talent for a great career. She is able to capture emotion effortlessly. International audiences received an exciting glimpse of this in Ridley Scott's ‘Exodus’, and now we look forward to her new endeavours."

SWITZERLAND: Kacey Mottet Klein
Nominated by Swiss Films

Selected films:
Keeper (2015) by Guillaume Senez  
Sister (2012) by Ursula Meier
Gainsbourg: A Heroic Life ( 2010) by Joann Sfar

Jury's comment:
“Although the youngest of this year’s Shooting Stars, Kacey is already an experienced actor, having made his screen debut at the age of ten. In ‘Keeper’, he crosses into adulthood, not only portraying a troubled yet tender adolescent, but also showing a firm and very mature command of his craft.”