The Irish nominees for a prestigious award honouring new talent in the film world have today been named.
The winner of the Rising Star award, sponsored by the Irish Film Board, will be announced at the Irish Film and Television Academy awards next month.
Co Carlow teenager Saoirse Ronan scooped the coveted prize last year following her Oscar-nominated performance in the movie Atonement.
This year's nominees include 17-year-old actress Sarah Bolger, famed for her role in the fantasy movie The Spiderwick Chronicles, and Kissesdirector Lance Daly, which tells the adventure of two runaway children in Dublin.
Other nominees are German-born Irish actor Michael Fassbender and writer Enda Walsh.
Both were involved in the movie Hunger, which recounted the last six weeks in the life of IRA hunger striker Bobby Sands.
Simon Perry, Irish Film Board chief executive, said the award was an excellent showcase for talent both in front 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,” Mr Perry said.
Aine Moriarty, chief executive of the Irish Film and Television Academy, said the award put the spotlight on great Irish talent.
“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,” Ms Moriarty said.
“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.”
The winner of the Rising Star award will be announced at the 6th Annual Irish Film & Television Awards on February 14th.