For the 21st edition of European Shooting Stars, this year's jury of industry experts has selected a list of what they deem to be 2018's ten most talented, up-and-coming actors from all over Europe, who are ready to step out onto the international film scene. They will be presented to the film industry, public and international press during the 68th Berlin International Film Festival (February 15 - 25, 2018). The group will take part in a dedicated workshop programme, rounded off by an awards ceremony at the Berlinale Palast on Monday, Feb 19, where each actor will be honoured with the European Shooting Stars Award donated by Leysen1855. EFP's longstanding and prolific talent platform is financially supported by the Creative Europe – MEDIA Programme of the European Union and the respective EFP member organisations.

The ten most talented, up-and-coming actors in 2018:

• Alba August ('Becoming Astrid'), SWE
• Michaela Coel ('Been So Long'), UK
• Matilda De Angelis ('Italian Race'), ITA
• Eili Harboe ('Thelma'), NOR
• Irakli Kvirikadze ('Hostages'), USA
• Franz Rogowski ('Fikkefuchs'), GER
• Matteo Simoni ('Gangsta'), BEL
• Jonas Smulders ('Brothers'), NL
• Réka Tenki ('Budapest Noir'), HUN
• Luna Wedler ('Blue My Mind'), SWI

Réka Tenki and Krisztián Kolovratnik in Budapest Noir

The members of the 2018 jury are former Shooting Star Eduardo Noriega from Spain, director Mijke de Jong from The Netherlands, casting director and ICDN member Nicole Schmied from Austria, Croatian producer Ankica Juric Tilic and Norwegian film critic and Arts Editor Mode Steinkjer. The jury’s statement says that "with originality and generosity, Réka balances her performance skills to breathe life into the mystery at the heart of Budapest Noir. Her passionate performance in front of the camera gives her a shimmering coolness that exudes confidence. Effortlessly capturing the moment, she impressed the jury with a subtle liveliness and a stand-out performance."

Growing up in a "theatre family", Réka Tenki has been at home on the stage since she was young. She studied at the University of Theatre and Film Arts and is a member of the Örkény Theatre Company in Budapest. She has worked in television and the cinema throughout her young career. At the 2017 Berlinale, Tenki was named one of Variety's "10 Europeans to Watch" and was seen in Ildiko Enyedi's acclaimed On Body and Soul (Golden Bear winner and Hungary's entry as Best Foreign Language Film for the Oscars). Tenki is currently starring in Eva Gardos' Budapest Noir.

Réka Tenki in Budapest Noir

During the four-day event in Berlin, the ten actors will take part in a tailor-made programme of profile-raising workshops and meetings with experts and industry members, including the International Casting Directors Network (ICDN), filmmakers, producers and other industry representatives to foster their professional network. EFP also supports a universal recognition of their exceptional talent by an extensive international press campaign.

European Shooting Stars is the oldest and most fruitful Europe-wide initiative to cast a spotlight on young actors. Since its first edition in 1998, a total of 293 European Shooting Stars have been presented at one of the most important international film festivals. This has proven for many to mark their launch into the international film scene. Former European Shooting Stars include Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, Alicia Vikander, Matthias Schoenaerts, Carey Mulligan, Cécile de France, Domhnall Gleeson, Maria Valverde, Daniel Brühl, Anamaria Marinca, Pilou Asbæk and Baltasar Kormákur.