"A charismatic, transformative talent": Irish actor Danielle Galligan selected for European Shooting Stars 2026
Posted: 15th December 2025
Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland is delighted to congratulate Irish actor Danielle Galligan, who has been selected for the 29th edition of the EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS. European Film Promotion (EFP) has today announced the ten emerging acting talents selected for the prestigious initiative, supported by Creative Europe’s MEDIA Programme of the European Union. The ten winners will be presented to the film industry, the international press and the public during the 76th Berlin International Film Festival, running from the 12–22 February 2026.
Throughout its 29 years, EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS has been an important stepping-stone for the selected talent’s international careers – notable Irish winners over the years include: Éanna Hardwicke, Ruth Negga, Domhnall Gleeson and Andrew Scott.
The European Shooting Stars 2026 are: Fatlume Bunjaku (Albania), Lucas Englander (Austria), Violet Braeckman (Belgium), Salif Cissé (France), Enno Trebs (Germany), Danielle Galligan (Ireland), Tecla Insolia (Italy), Joes Brauers (The Netherlands), Sofia Tjelta Sydness (Norway) and Cleo Diára (Portugal).
Irish actress Danielle Galligan trained at The Lir Academy and first made her mark in theatre before transitioning to screen roles that quickly showcased her versatility. Following early appearances in Game of Thrones, she has become a compelling lead in series such as Shadow and Bone and Kin (both 2021) and she was most recently seen in Steven Knight’s The House of Guinness (2025). Her acclaimed film performance in Lakelands (2022) earned her IFTA nominations for Best Lead Actress and Rising Star. According to the jury Danielle is “a charismatic, transformative talent,” highlighting in The House of Guinness that there is “something very classic about her, bringing a brittle element to her performance, with a fierce, humoristic, and playful demeanour that lights up every scene.”
This year’s Shooting Stars were selected by an international jury consisting of Danish actress Danica Ćurčić and Bosnian film director and Academy Award winner Danis Tanović. British-Sudanese critic and writer Leila Latif, Belgian producer Jacques-Henri Bronckart, and Portuguese casting director Jo Monteiro completed the impressive line-up.
The jury highlighted the ten actors’ strong work, their artistic range and their clear potential to succeed on an international level. The selection was based on standout performances in the films and drama series submitted for consideration, which are marked in bold in the biographies below.
“This is a truly remarkable group of talents, selected by our jury from an exceptionally strong field of nominees,” says Tina Hajon, the programme director of EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS. “They represent some of the most exciting new voices Europe has to offer. We are deeply grateful to the jury for their dedication and for recognising the potential of these actors at such a crucial moment in their artistic journey. EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS remains an essential platform for highlighting the diversity of European storytelling, while giving emerging talents the international visibility they need to grow and flourish on a global stage.”
Awarded as this year’s European Shooting Stars, the selected talents will take part in a four-day programme during the Berlinale, featuring networking sessions, industry meetings and press events, as well as a memorable red-carpet moment and the official presentation of the group at the Berlinale Palast. The programme is designed to enhance their international visibility, connect them with key decision-makers and highlight their potential at a pivotal stage in their emerging careers.
EFP EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS is made possible thanks to the support of Creative Europe – the MEDIA Programme of the European Union, new main partner Allwyn, the leading multi-national lottery-led entertainment company, the German Federal Commissioner for Culture and Media, the Berlin International Film Festival, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg, MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein, Hessen Film & Medien, Spotlight, Filmmakers and Armani Beauty. As well as the participating national film promotion institutes and film centres from the Shooting Stars’ countries (EFP’s member organisations): With special thanks to German Films, Albanian National Center of Cinematography, Austrian Films, Cinecittà (Italy), Flanders Image (Belgium), ICA - Instituto do Cinema e do Audiovisual I.P. (Portugal), SEE NL (The Netherlands), Norwegian Film Institute, Screen Ireland / Fís Éireann and Unifrance. EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS’ main media partner is Variety, with additional media partners: Screen International, Cineuropa, THE SPOT media & film, HeyUGuys and Festival Scope.