EFP European Film Promotion has announced the ten exceptional acting talents selected for the 29th edition of the EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS, one of Europe’s most prestigious initiatives for emerging screen actors. Supported by Creative Europe’s MEDIA Programme of the European Union, the selected performers will be presented to the international film industry, press and public during the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, taking place from 12–22 February 2026.
This year’s Shooting Stars were chosen by an accomplished international jury comprising Danish actress Danica Ćurčić, Academy Award-winning Bosnian director Danis Tanović, Portuguese casting director Jo Monteiro, Belgian producer Jacques-Henri Bronckart, and British-Sudanese critic and writer Leila Latif. Together, the jury praised the actors’ standout performances, artistic range and clear potential to build international careers. The selection was based on performances in submitted films and drama series, highlighted in bold within the official biographies.
The European Shooting Stars 2026
The ten actors selected for 2026 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) and Cleo Diára (Portugal).
Fatlume Bunjaku
The Kosovan-Albanian actress is recognised for combining artistic versatility with academic depth and a parallel music career. Since her screen debut in 2013, she has built a striking body of work, including winning Best Actress at the Nine Eleven Film Festival and delivering a powerful performance in Ujkan Hysaj’s ‘Hana’ (2025). Alongside acting, she is deeply engaged in inclusive arts education and holds a master’s degree in children’s theatre. The jury praised her “commanding screen presence” and “striking emotional depth,” noting that she “leaves an indelible mark on the viewer.”
Lucas Englander
Born in Vienna and trained across Europe, initially considered a career in diplomacy before discovering acting. His versatility is evident in projects such as ‘Transatlantic’ (2023), César best newcomer-shortlisted ‘Appearances’ (2020), and ‘Nine Perfect Strangers’ (2025), opposite Nicole Kidman. He will next be seen in Adrian Goiginger’s ‘Das Café ohne Namen.’ The jury highlighted his ability to move “effortlessly between roles and languages,” describing him as “exceptionally versatile.”
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Violet Braeckman
The Belgian actress has established a multidimensional career spanning theatre, television, film and music videos. Her recent and upcoming projects include ‘Heysel 85’ (2026), ‘First Zone’ (2026), ‘The Age of Magic’ (2026), and the Netflix series ‘The Twelve.’ The jury singled out her performance in ‘Heysel 85,’ praising her “chameleonic” ability and noting that “being a chameleon is the rarest talent you can find.”
Salif Cissé
The French actor was discovered acting at eighteen and quickly made an impact, earning a César nomination for Most Promising Actor for ‘All Hands on Deck’ (2020). He has since impressed audiences with performances in ‘Filmlovers!’ (2024), ‘Guess Who Is Calling’ (2025), ‘Lupin’ (2023), and ‘Meteors’ (2025), which premiered in Cannes. The jury described him as “a pure charisma machine,” commending his ability to evoke deep empathy and warmth.
Enno Trebs
Hailing from Germany, the actor began his career with a memorable debut in Michael Haneke’s Palme d’Or-winning ‘The White Ribbon’ (2009). He has since become a frequent collaborator of Christian Petzold, appearing in ‘Undine’ (2020), ‘Afire’ (2023) and ‘Miroirs No. 3’ (2025). He next leads Nicolas Ehret’s ‘Echo of Tomorrow’s War’ (2026). The jury noted his “intense, precise” performances and his remarkable balance of kindness and brutality.
Danielle Galligan
Irish actress Danielle Galligan is a graduate of The Lir Academy and first gained attention on stage before transitioning to screen roles in ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Shadow and Bone’ and ‘Kin’ (2021). Most recently, she appeared in Steven Knight’s ‘The House of Guinness’ (2025). Her film performance in ‘Lakelands’ (2022) earned IFTA nominations for Best Lead Actress and Rising Star. The jury described her as “a charismatic, transformative talent” with a classic yet playful screen presence.
Tecla Insolia
The youngest of this year’s selection, the Italian actress has already built an impressive career. After early roles in ‘L’allieva’ (2018) and ‘Off Grid’ (2020), she gained international recognition as the lead in Valeria Golino’s ‘The Art of Joy’ (2024). Subsequent performances in ‘Familia, L’albero’ (2024), ‘Amata and Primavera’ (2025) further confirmed her range. The jury praised her magnetism, force and ability to deliver both power and fragility.
Joes Brauers
Dutch actor Joes Brauers began acting at the age of eight and has since appeared in acclaimed projects, including ‘Quo vadis, Aida?’ (2020), ‘Do Not Hesitate’ (2021) and ‘Hardcore Never Dies’ (2023). He will next star in Sander Burger’s ‘Youri’ (2026). The jury highlighted his physical transformations and noted that he possesses the “gravitas and ingredients to become a big movie star.”
Sofia Tjelta Sydness
The Norwegian actress first drew attention with her performance in ‘Delete Me’ (2021), earning a Gullruten nomination. She has since appeared in Netflix’s Midsummer Night (2024), Ruben Östlund’s ‘The Entertainment System Is Down,’ and Irasj Asanti’s ‘Fighter’ (2026). The jury described her as “fresh, direct and unpretentious,” with a vivid and precise screen presence.
Cleo Diára
Born in Cape Verde and raised in Lisbon, began her artistic journey in theatre before transitioning to film. Her breakthrough came with Pedro Pinho’s ‘I Only Rest in the Storm’ (2025), earning her the Un Certain Regard Best Performance award at Cannes. She has also appeared in ‘Diamantino’ (2018) and the upcoming series ‘Lisbon Noir.’ The jury praised her as “fierce and feminine,” noting a natural quality that “cannot be learned.”
A Launchpad for International Careers
As European Shooting Stars 2026, the selected actors will participate in an intensive four-day programme during the Berlinale, including industry meetings, networking sessions, press events, a red-carpet appearance and an official presentation at the Berlinale Palast. Designed to enhance international visibility and connect emerging talent with key decision-makers, the initiative has proven to be a vital stepping stone for global careers.
Over its 29-year history, EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS has spotlighted actors who went on to international acclaim, including Riz Ahmed, George MacKay, Carey Mulligan, Bill Skarsgård, Alicia Vikander, Maisie Williams and many more—underscoring the programme’s reputation as a launchpad for Europe’s next generation of screen stars.
