Rising Stars Nominees

Yesterday, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board (IFB) and the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) announced the Rising Star Award nominees for 2009. The winners of which will be announced at the Irish Film and Television Awards Ceremony on February 14th.

Selected by a special jury and sponsored by the IFB, the Rising Star Award aims to highlight exceptional new talent working in all areas of the Irish film industry. The 2009 nominees are; Sarah Bolger (Actress, The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Tudors); Lance Daly (Writer/Director, Kisses); Michael Fassbender (Actor, Hunger) and Enda Walsh (Writer, Hunger).

Simon Perry, Chief Executive, Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board said:

"Nurturing new talent is a key objective of the Irish Film Board and the Rising Star Award acts as an excellent showcase of talent both in front of and behind the camera. This year's nominees have all broken through in significant films and we are delighted to see their talent and recent achievements recognised in the award."

Aine 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 ongoing support of new Irish industry talent."