Fionn O’Shea has been selected for the 24th edition of European Shooting Stars, a prestigious initiative to promote European acting talent. The actor’s selection follows in the steps of Irish actors Ruth Negga, Domhnall Gleeson and Andrew Scott, all previous recipients of the honour, which is presented by European Film Promotion (EFP).

O'Shea is best known for his roles as Eddie in Dating Amber (2020), Jamie in Normal People (2020) and Ned in Handsome Devil (2016). The jury said of their selection that Fionn “…has an ebullience and winsome charm yet, at the same time, misery and rage are always bubbling just below the surface.”

Fionn O'Shea said: “It’s such a huge honour...I’m over the moon! I feel so lucky to be in the company of all the brilliant actors this year, and to follow in the footsteps of heroes of mine from previous years. I am extremely grateful to Screen Ireland and to EFP for giving me such an amazing opportunity.” Previous recipients of the award include Ruth Negga (Loving), Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman, An Education), Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl), and George MacKay (1917).

The awards are typically presented at the Berlinale or Berlin Film Festival in February, but this year’s European Shooting Stars programme will take place online from 23rd to 25th February, in the framework of the Berlinale screenings in the summer.

The ten selected EFP European Shooting Stars for 2021 are: Seidi Haarla (Finland), Nicolas Maury (France), Albrecht Schuch (Germany), Natasa Stork (Hungary), Fionn O’Shea (Ireland), Elena Jakstaite (Lithuania), Martijn Lakemeijer (The Netherlands), Sara Klimoska (North Macedonia), Alba Baptista (Portugal) and Gustav Lindh (Sweden).

"Although this year we sadly cannot meet in person, we invite you to join, discover and celebrate the best in rising European acting talent, while staying safe at home," said EFP's managing director Sonja Heinen. "This is the motto for this year's digital European Shooting Stars programme. We are thrilled that we have been able to create a digital experience via our online ’Home of Acting Talent’ , that will open its doors and emulate the spirit of our annual physical events by offering 3 days of specially-curated press, industry and public-facing promotion and networking activities for this year’s chosen talent.”