Irish actress Ruth Negga has been chosen as the 2006 Irish Shooting Star for the Berlin Film Festival.
The Shooting Star programme recognises the talents of up and coming young actors from 21 European countries at the Berlin Film Festival every year.
Each actor chosen meets the press and casting directors and receives an award recognising their achievements to date.
Negga will be seen on Irish cinema screens from this Friday, 13 January, in Neil Jordan's 'Breakfast on Pluto'; her other film credits include 'Isolation' and 'Capital Letters'.
She has performed at the Abbey and Peacock theatres and toured internationally with the Druid Theatre Company's production of 'The Playboy of the Western World' and the Royal Court Theatre's production of 'Duck'.
Negga also recently starred as Lisa Sheerin in the RTÉ series 'Love is the Drug'.
Commenting on her selection for the Shooting Star programme, Irish Film Board Chief Executive Simon Perry said: "Ruth's recent performances in 'Breakfast on Pluto' and 'Isolation' demonstrate her ability as a tremendously gifted young actress."
He continued: "Irish actors are highly regarded on the international stage and have achieved considerable success both in Europe and in Hollywood. Ruth clearly has the talent to follow in the steps of Ireland's leading stars."
