The nominees for the IFTA Rising Star Award 2018 have finally been revealed.
Selected by a special jury and sponsored by the Irish Film Board, the Rising Star Award is a unique IFTA Award that it puts an international spotlight on Irish professionals who have not only honed their crafts in the formative years of their career – but have also excelled in their respective fields.
Previous winners of the Rising Star Award include Saoirse Ronan, Michael Fassbender, Tomm Moore, Domhnall Gleeson, John Michael McDonagh, Gerard Barrett, Jamie Dornan, Patrick Gibson and Sarah Greene, all of whom have gone on to garner recognition and accolades both in Ireland and internationally.
The 2018 Rising Star Nominees are…
Jessie Buckley
Jessie’s credits include Perdita in Kenneth Branagh’s ‘Winter’s Tale’, ‘The Tempest’ at the Globe, and ‘Henry V’ at the Noel Coward Theatre.
TV roles include BBC’s adaptation of ‘War & Peace’, ‘Taboo’ staring Tom Hardy, ‘The Woman in White’, ‘The Last Post’, ‘Beast’ and ‘Country Music’ alongside Julie Walters.
Dafhyd Flynn
Dafhyd made his acting debut in Frank Berry’s highly acclaimed film ‘I Used To Live Here’ at the age of 14.
He has just made his second feature film, also for Frank Berry, in the title role in ‘Michael Inside’ which goes on general release in Ireland in 2018.
Jacob McCarthy
Jacob was born and reared in Sandymount. At 17 he had little experience with acting but moved to London to pursue it. There he was accepted at LAMDA.
After graduating he moved to Los Angeles to act on screen. ‘The Drummer and the Keeper’ was Jacob’s first feature length film. He will next be seen in US on NBC’s new comedy ‘A.P. Bio’ produced by Lorne Michaels and starring Glenn Howerton, of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia fame.
Fionn O’Shea
Fionn was named one of Screen International’s 2017 Stars of Tomorrow.
He will soon be seen in the upcoming C4 comedy series ‘Hang Ups,’ and in James Kent’s feature ‘The Aftermath’.
His recent credits include John Butler’s ‘Handsome Devil and Richie Smyth’s ‘Jadotville’.
Ann Skelly
Ann Skelly credits include the IFTA-winning ‘Rebellion’ and Apple TV’s ‘Playground’.
‘Kissing Candice’ is her feature film debut brings experience to the role of Candice through Irish television roles for TV3, BBC & Amazon prime.
Áine Moriarty,Chief Executive of the Irish Film and Television Academy said, “This important Award showcases four superb Irish talents who have proved themselves to be world class professionals in their fields and leading Irish creative professionals to spearhead and continue Irelands golden era of filmmaking into the future.
“IFTA is proud to showcase Irelands Rising Stars and acknowledges the partnership with the Irish Film Board across this Award supporting new Irish industry talent.”
The IFTA Film & Drama Awards will take place at the Round Room of the Mansion House, Dublin on Thursday 15th February, and will be broadcast on RTÉ One on Saturday at 10.45pm.
