Aistė Diržiūtė plays Austė in Lithuanian director’s Alantė Kavaitė feature film “The Summer of Sangaile” which last week was selected for the Sundance Film Festival’s World Cinema Dramatic Competition where it will have its world premiere and will be screened as the day one film.
“Aistė makes her feature debut in “The Summer of Sangaile” with such confidence it’s hard to believe this is her first major role. As Austė, the free-spirited muse who brings the introverted title character out of her shell, Aistė enchanted us all, playing a girl who feels fresh, fun, alive – and always real”, the jury comment reads.
Aistė Diržiūtė does not hide her excitement for being selected: “I both cried and laughed with happiness when I heard this news on the phone. Words cannot describe the feeling.”
An international expert jury selected the year’s ten best European talented newcomers from the candidates who were nominated by 23 EFP member organisations – including the Lithuanian Film Centre. “It is a unique opportunity for Aistė to be introduced to European film community and pave her way to an international career”, said Liana Ruokytė-Jonsson, the representative of the Lithuanian Film Centre for the EFP network. “We hope to soon see her in the biggest European screens.”
The Shooting Stars debut at the Berlinale 2015 will include several industry meet and greet sessions with agents, casting directors and filmmakers – as well as international media interviews and evening receptions across three eventful days of networking at one of the most significant film festivals of the year. All Shooting Stars will be presented with an individual special award as part of the red carpet ceremony at the Berlinale Palast.
The list of 2015 Shooting Stars includes: Joachim Fjelstrup (Denmark), Jannis Niewöhner (Germany), Emmi Parviainen (Finland), Hera Hilmar (Iceland), Moe Dunford (Ireland), Aistė Diržiūtė (Lithuania), Abbey Hoes (The Netherlands), Natalia de Molina (Spain), Sven Schelker (Switzerland), and Maisie Williams (UK).
The ten gifted young actors and actresses will follow in the footsteps of previous winners, many of whom have gained international acclaim in their field. The alumni include Daniel Craig (UK; 2000), Daniel Brühl (Germany; 2003), Elio Germano (Italy; 2008), David Dencik (Denmark; 2007), Carey Mulligan (UK; 2009), and Alicia Vikander (Sweden; 2011).
The European Shooting Stars which kicked off in 1998 during the Berlin International Film Festival is supported by the MEDIA Programme of the EU as well as the participating EFP member organisations and other cooperation partners. The Lithuanian Film Centre is the member of EFP since 2013.
Further information on the European Shooting Stars is available online at www.shooting-stars.eu.
