Marija Škaričić among ten best young European actors and actresses in Shooting Stars 2011 programme
Croatian actress Marija Škaričić has been shortlisted as one of ten best young European actors and actresses of the Shooting Stars 2011 programme, which presents new talents of European film each year.
Shooting Stars is a European Film Promotion (EFP) initiative that gathers national film institutions and agencies for the promotion of member countries’ cinema. The Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC) joined them in 2009.
Following on the decision of a jury consisting of five renowned filmmakers, Marija Škaričić became a “chosen one” as the second Croatian representative in a row after Zrinka Cvitešić (2010). At the upcoming 61 Berlin International Film Festival, Marija Škaričić will be presented as one of ten most talented young European actors and actresses and will be granted the Shooting Stars award.
Having fulfilled all EFP requirements, from an accomplished acting career to a prominent leading role in a recently produced film, Marija Škaričić was nominated for the Shooting Stars 2011 programme. She was selected based on her latest role in Dalibor Matanić’s most recent film Mother of Asphalt (2010), which earned her the Golden Arena Award for Best Female Leading Role at the 57th Pula Film Festival. The film is currently being screened in Croatian theatres and, in addition to the Pula Film Festival, this year it was screened at several other renowned world festivals: 15th Pusan International Film Festival, South Korea, 51st Thessaloniki International Film Festival, Greece, 41st Goa International Film Festival, India, and 16th Belgrade Auteur Film Festival, Serbia.
Her role in Mother of Asphalt was commented by the Shooting Stars jury as: Škaričić’s impressive technical command manages to encompass a wide range of emotions, from the fragile to the intense. A classically versatile actress, capable of both elegance and edginess.
Her other acting accomplishments in Croatian and international films were also important for her Shooting Stars nomination. They include:
Shahada (2010), the German debut film by Afghan director Burhan Qurbani, screened for the first time within the main competition programme of the 60th Berlinale, as well as Yellow Moon (2009), a short film directed by Zvonimir Jurić, with Marija Škaričić playing the leading role.
Fraulein (2006), the multiply awarded film by director Andrea Štaka, a Swiss-German coproduction, with Marija as the protagonist. That role earned her her second Heart of Sarajevo award at the 12th Sarajevo Film Festival. The film won the Heart of Sarajevo for best film and the Golden Leopard award at the 59th Locarno International Film Festival.
A Wonderful Night in Split (2004), a film by Arsen A. Ostojić, earned her the Heart of Sarajevo for best actress at the 10th Sarajevo Film Festival.
The Shooting Stars award is a significant recognition for young European actors and actresses, opening them the doors to the international film scene. In recent years it was awarded to many acclaimed actors, including Daniel Craig, Ludivine Sagnier, Maria Bonnevie, Rachel Weisz, Moritz Bleibtreu, Johanna Wokalek and Nina Hoss.
The 61st Berlin International Film Festival will be held 10-20 February 2011, while the Shooting Stars 2011 programme will take place 12-14 February.
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Shooting Stars is an initiative launched by European Film Promotion (EFP). This year Shooting Stars will take place for the 14th time in a row. The programme’s main objectives are presenting new European acting talents and raising the level of visibility and significance of European film on the international scene. The selection process for Shooting Stars begins with nominations from EFP member countries according to EFP conditions. The jury consisting of film professionals then selects ten most perspective actors from entire Europe younger than 35, who are then presented to the professional and wide audience at the International Film Festival in Berlin.
European Film Promotion (EFP) is a network of 32 member countries represented by national film institutions and agencies for film promotion. The Croatian Audiovisual Centre became a full member of EFP in 2009. EFP’s main objectives are networking for joint projects and initiatives contributing to successful promotion of European film and film talents worldwide, increasing the competitiveness of European film and access of European film professionals to the international market, opening new markets, stimulating European film distribution and enabling further exchange of experience and knowledge.
Shooting Stars 2011 jury members:
Ole Christian Madsen, Director, Denmark
Heike Makatsch, Actress, Germany
Čedomir Kolar, Producer, France
Lina Todd, Casting manager, USA
Derek Elley, Film critic, United Kingdom
The list of selected European actors and actresses for the Shooting Stars 2011 programme:
Marija Škaričić (Croatia)
Nik Xhelilaj (Albania)
Pilou Asbæk (Denmark)
Alexander Fehling (Germany)
Domhnall Gleeson (Ireland)
Natasha Petrovic (Macedonia)
Clara Lago (Spain)
Alicia Vikander (Sweden)
Sylvia Hoeks (the Netherlands)
Andrea Riseborough (United Kingdom)
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