12/11/2025 - Five industry experts will select Europe’s most promising up-and-coming acting talents for the new edition of the initiative, set to take place at the 2026 Berlinale

(l-r, top to bottom) Danica Ćurčić, Danis Tanović, Leila Latif, Jo Monteiro and Jacques-Henri Bronckart

EFP European Film Promotion has announced the jury for this year’s European Shooting Stars, comprising five experienced professionals from across Europe who represent film directing, production, casting, acting and film criticism. The jury will pick out ten of the most talented and internationally versatile emerging actors and actresses from candidates nominated by their respective national film-promotion institutes and film centres. The appointed talent will be honoured as European Shooting Stars and take part in EFP’s flagship programme at the Berlin International Film Festival (13-23 February 2026), which is supported by the Creative Europe - MEDIA programme of the European Union.

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Danis Tanović began studying film and music before the Bosnian War interrupted his education. After documenting the siege of Sarajevo, he gained international recognition with his debut, No Man’s Land [+see also:
trailer
film profile], winner of the Oscar, Golden Globe, César and European Film Award. Celebrated for his powerful and socially engaged storytelling in movies such as An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker [+see also:
film review
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interview: Danis Tanović
film profile], Death in Sarajevo [+see also:
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interview: Danis Tanovic
film profile] and his latest film, My Late Summer [+see also:
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film profile], Tanović is a regular at major festivals, and a committed advocate for culture and education.

Award-winning Danish actress Danica Ćurčić, herself a former European Shooting Star (2014), began her career at the Royal Danish Theatre before moving on to acclaimed screen performances in films such as Silent Heart [+see also:
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film profile], Department Q: The Absent One [+see also:
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film profile] and Murina [+see also:
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interview: Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović
interview: Gracija Filipovic
film profile], and series such as Netflix's The Chestnut Man and Secrets We Keep.

Belgian producer Jacques-Henri Bronckart, founder of Versus Production, has produced over 100 films and series, regularly showcased at Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Toronto. His work champions bold storytelling and strong cinematic voices, complemented by ventures such as Inver Tax Shelter, O’Brother Distribution and a recent partnership with Caviar.

Portuguese casting director and filmmaker Jo Monteiro brings a global perspective from her work across Europe and the USA. After more than a decade as an assistant director and casting for hundreds of commercials, she now focuses on fiction projects. As a casting director, she has contributed to acclaimed productions such as the Netflix series Glória. In addition, she has directed several award-winning shorts and a TV film for Portugal’s RTP.

London-based Leila Latif, a Sudanese-British critic and broadcaster, is a contributing editor at Total Film and writes for Little White Lies, Monocle, The Guardian and Sight & Sound. She also hosts the Truth & Movies podcast and frequently appears on BBC radio, offering analytical perspectives on film, television and representation.

The ten European Shooting Stars for 2026 will be announced in mid-December. During the Berlinale, the selected talents will be on site to participate in a four-day programme that includes networking sessions, industry meetings, press events, the presentation of the European Shooting Stars Award, and a special red-carpet moment with an official presentation of the group at the Berlinale Palast.