Swiss actor Sven Schelker honoured as Shooting Star 2015

11.12.2014

Sven Schelker made his feature film debut as Röbi Rapp in the Swiss box-office hit “Der Kreis” and will now represent Switzerland as the Shooting Star at the 65th Berlinale 2015 (February 5– 15, 2015). An international jury of European Film Promotion EFP has selected ten European Shooting Stars. EFP promotes Europe’s new generation of most talented actors annually with the Shooting Stars Award.

The 25-year-old actor from Basel completed his acting studies at the Otto Falckenberg Schule in Munich. He was honoured with the Drama Studies Prize of the Migros Cultural Percentage in both 2010 and 2011. Since 2012 he has been a permanent member of the ensemble at the Thalia Theater in Hamburg, with roles in “Macbeth,” “Platonov” and “Die Tragödie von Romeo und Julia.” “Der Kreis,” directed by Stefan Haupt and produced by Contrast Film in Zurich is Schelker’s feature film debut.

Der Kreis”: Oscars & Golden Globes
“Der Kreis” is the official Swiss entry for an Oscar nomination and has already been sold in more than 17 countries in Europe, America and Asia. Last week it was announced that “Der Kreis” is among the 53 films to have qualified for a Golden Globe nomination in the category of Best Foreign Language Film. The Golden Globe Awards will be presented for the 72nd time on January 11, 2015, and are considered the most important indicator for the Oscars. At present, “Der Kreis” is showing in cinemas in Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Great Britain and the USA.

10 European Shooting Stars
Together with Sven Schelker, the following European actors have been selected as Shootings Stars: Joachim Fjelstrup (Denmark), Jannis Niewöhner (Germany), Emmi Parviainen (Finland), Hera Hilmar (Iceland), Moe Dunford (Ireland), Aistė Diržiūtė (Lithuania), Abbey Hoes (Netherlands), Natalia de Molina (Spain) and Maisie Williams (England). During the 65th Berlinale, the young talented actors have the opportunity to meet with international professionals in the film industry and attend networking events. This year the members of EFP nominated twenty-three actors and actresses from throughout Europe.

European Film Promotion & Talent Exchange
European Film Promotion (EFP) is comprised of 36 promotion and marketing organisations aiming to render European films more visible. SWISS FILMS is a founding member of this organisation. The Shooting Stars Event is but one of the numerous initiatives by European Film Promotion geared towards fostering Europe’s new generation of acting talent. The Shooting Stars event has evolved into a notable talent exchange for young actors from all over Europe. It has served as a stepping stone in the careers of many former Shooting Stars, including the German actors Moritz Bleibtreu and Daniel Brühl, Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher, French actress Ludivine Sagnier, British actress Carey Mulligan and for the Swiss actors and actresses Carlos Leal, Joel Basman and Carla Juri.

Zurich, december 11, 2014