IFTA Rising Star nominees include 15-year-old Matilda The Musical star

Eva Osborne

The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) has announced the IFTA Rising Star nominees, and Alisha Weir of Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical has been listed.

Selected by a special jury and sponsored by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, this Rising Star Award is a unique IFTA Award, in that it puts an international spotlight on Irish professionals who have excelled in their respective fields.

Weir has also stared in Abigail and Wicked Little Letters.

The three other nominees are:

• Anthony Boyle (Actor - Say Nothing, Masters of the Air, House of Guinness, Manhunt);
• Aislinn Clarke (Writer/Director - Fréwaka, The Devil’s Doorway, Eye Exam);
• Clinton Liberty (Actor - House of the Dragon, Holding, Red Election, Normal People).

Some of the previous winners of the Rising Star Award include Saoirse Ronan, Michael Fassbender, Nicola Coughlan, Domhnall Gleeson, Siobhán Cullen, and Jamie Dornan.

Many previous winners have gone on to garner recognition and accolades both in Ireland and internationally.

Chief executive of the Irish Film and Television Academy, Áine Moriarty, said: “These four hugely talented Rising Stars represent the new wave of Irish professionals who are leading our homegrown industry on the world stage.

"This prestigious Award has recognised many great Irish talents at this early stage, and we hope this recognition will bolster the careers of these four skilful artists, spotlighting the next phase of their creative journeys internationally. Congratulations to each of them.”