The Irish Film Board and the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) have just announced the Rising Star Award nominees for 2013.

Making the shortlist this year are:

Gerard Barrett (writer-director-editor-producer, Pilgrim Hill)
Lisa Barros D'sa & Glenn Leybourn (directors, Good Vibrations)
Ciaran Foy (director, Citadel)
Jack Reynor (actor, What Richard Did)

The winner will be announced at the 10th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards which will take place at Dublin’s Convention Centre on Saturday, February 9. The ceremony will broadcast on RTÉ One at 9.30pm.

The Rising Star Award aims to highlight exceptional new and breakthrough talent working in all areas of the Irish film industry, with John Michael McDonagh, Domhnall Gleeson, Michael Fassbender and Saoirse Ronan all previous recipients of the award.

Commenting on the nominations James Hickey, Chief Executive Irish Film Board said:

“The growth of the Irish film industry is dependent on new talent coming through every year. Developing and creating opportunities for Irish talent both in front of and behind the camera is one of the primary functions of the Irish Film Board and the IFTA Rising Star award is an important opportunity to highlight up and coming Irish actors, directors and writers who have accomplished great work this year. I would like to congratulate all the nominees and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

Áine Moriarty, Chief Executive of the Irish Film and Television Academy said:

“This important Award puts the spotlight on great Irish talent making a significant mark in the film industry at large. These four exciting Irish stars have shown themselves to be world class talents in their respective fields and I have no doubt that they will be counted among the wealth of leading Irish talents over the coming years. IFTA is proud to put the international spotlight on Ireland’s Rising Stars and acknowledges the Irish Film Board’s on-going support of new Irish industry talent.”

If you're not entirely familiar with all the nominees, IFTA have provided the following information/background, along with the stars reactions to being nominated.

Gerard Barrett (writer-director-editor-prod-producer, Pilgrim Hill)

A 24 year-old writer/director from Kerry. Pilgrim Hill is his feature film debut and was shot on €4,500 over seven days in Kerry. It premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh 2012, where Gerard won the Best New Irish Talent Award. Its North American premiere was at Telluride Film Festival where Gerard was selected as the next Great Expectation.

Speaking about his IFTA Rising Star Award nomination Gerard said:

"It's a huge honour to be nominated for the Rising Star Award and to be among these nominees that I hugely admire. I want to dedicate the nomination to the cast, crew and everyone that helped bring Pilgrim Hill to the screen. Thank you.”

Lisa Barros D'sa & Glenn Leybourn (directors, Good Vibrations)

Lisa Barros D'Sa - Having worked in film development for years, Lisa directed her first feature Cherrybomb with husband Glenn Leyburn in 2009. In 2011, the duo directed Good Vibrations, the story of Belfast DJ Terri Hooley and his legendary Good Vibrations record shop. It won the Best Irish Film Award at the Galway Film Fleadh.
Glenn Leyburn - Glenn is known for his collaborations with music producer David Holmes. Glenn, David and Lisa Barros D'Sa founded the production company Canderblinks Film and Music. Canderblinks' first production, The 18th Electricity Plan, premiered at the LA Shorts Film Festival, winning awards at The Cork International Film Festival and Galway Film Fleadh.

Speaking about their IFTA Rising Star Award nomination Lisa & Glenn said:

“Lisa and I would like to thank IFTA and the Irish Film Board for our nomination in the Rising Star category. We're incredibly honoured and thank both for their continued support. We'd also like to thank the wonderful cast, crew and creative team involved in Good Vibrations for the passion they put into our film, and when I say 'our' I mean the film that belongs to all the Good Vibes family. We loved making it and look forward to showing it to cinema audiences in Ireland and the UK on March 29th.”

Ciaran Foy (director, Citadel)

A graduate from the National Film School of Film IADT, Ciaran broke through with award-winning short The Faeries of Blackheath Woods in 2006. His first feature, Citadel, based on an autobiographical incident from his past has already gone on to similar acclaim, winning a BAFTA Scotland Award and picking up the Audience Prize at the SXSW Festival.

Speaking about his IFTA Rising Star Award nomination Ciaran said:

"I'm very pleased to be considered and nominated in the category of Rising Star. No man is an island and I owe a debt of thanks to my many collaborators who helped me get here, both in front of and behind the camera"

Jack Reynor (actor, What Richard Did)

Since leaving secondary school Reynor has featured in Kirsten Sheridan's improvised drama Dollhouse as well as Lenny Abrahamson's What Richard Did. Having signed to US talent agency WME in September, Reynor's first appearance in a US movie will be opposite Vince Vaughan in The Delivery Man.

Speaking about his IFTA Rising Star Award nomination Jack said:

"I am really delighted and feel very lucky to have been nominated for any award at all."

Be sure to keep an eye on HotPress.com for any further IFTA related news and announcements.