Irish actor to be honoured at Berlin Film Festival

A young Irish actor is to be recognised by the international film industry next month when he receives a prestigious award, it was announced today.

Rising talent Padraic Delaney, who starred in the hit film The Wind that Shakes the Barley, will be recognised for his achievements to date at the International Berlin Film Festival next month.

The actor has been named as the Irish Shooting Star for 2007.

Recognising the talents of up-and-coming young actors from 21 European countries at the Berlin Film Festival every year, the Shooting Star programme is organised by European Film Promotion (EFP).

The event provides an opportunity for each Shooting Star to meet individually with the press, be introduced to a host of European casting directors at an industry breakfast event, and meet key industry guests at the renowned annual Shooting Stars Gala.

Each Shooting Star is also presented with an award recognising the actor’s achievements to date.

The 2007 Berlin International Film Festival runs from February 8 – 18.

Padraic graduated with a BA in Drama and Theatre Studies from the Samuel Beckett Centre in Trinity College Dublin.

He has worked in a variety of television productions, most notably taking the lead in Legend, a gritty drama for RTÉ, and recently completed filming the role of George Boleyn in The Tudors with Jonathan Rhys Myers.

He is also to star in Foxes, a Czech/Irish co-production this year.

Padraic’s most high profile role was opposite Cillian Murphy in Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or winning movie.

Murphy, who shot to fame in 28 Days Later, is also in the running for a prestigious Bafta film award.

The star is among five nominees, including Eva Birththisle of Middletown fame, for the Orange Rising Star Award, which will be given out at the British Academy of Film and Television, which will take place in February 11.

The Orange Rising Star Award is given out annually to a young actor who has demonstrated exceptional on-screen talent.