Joes Brauers is European Shooting Star at the Berlinale
Dutch actor Joes Brauers is selected for European Shooting Stars 2026, which takes place during the 75th edition of the Berlin International Film Festival. Joes is one of ten up-and-coming acting talents chosen by an international jury to participate in the prestigious program organized annually during the Berlinale by European Film Promotion.
Photo: Joes Brauers - © Ilja Keizer
The ten selected actors will take part in a four-day programme during the Berlinale, featuring networking sessions, industry meetings and press events, as well as a memorable red-carpet moment and the official presentation of the group at the Berlinale Palast. The programme is designed to enhance their international visibility, connect them with key decision-makers and highlight their potential at a pivotal stage in their emerging careers.
This year’s Shooting Stars jury consisted of Danish actress Danica Ćurčić, Bosnian film director and Academy Award winner Danis Tanović, British-Sudanese critic and writer Leila Latif, Belgian producer Jacques-Henri Bronckart, and Portuguese casting director Jo Monteiro. The jury points to Joes Brauers’ “impressive physical transformation, shifting from hardened to gentle with ease,” and are convinced that he has the “gravitas and the ingredients to become a big movie star.”
Joes began acting at the age of eight and has since built a remarkably diverse career, gaining recognition for his roles in among others the Oscar-nominated feature film Quo Vadis, Aida?** (2020), Do Not Hesitate** (2021), and Hardcore Never Dies** (2023). At the Netherlands’ national film awards in September, he won a Golden Calf at for his role in the short film Fuck-a-Fan* (2024). Next year, he will appear in Sander Burger’s new film Youri**.
Previous Dutch Shooting Stars include Yannick Jozefzoon, Hannah van Vliet, Martijn Lakemeier, Bilal Wahib, Jonas Smulders, Hannah Hoekstra, Reinout Scholten van Aschat, Abbey Hoes, Marwan Kenzari, Sylvia Hoeks and Halina Reijn and Fedja van Huêt.
The other actors selected alongside Joes Brauers for European Shooting Stars 2026 are: Fatlume Bunjaku (Albania), Lucas Englander (Austria), Violet Braeckman (Belgium), Salif Cissé (France), Enno Trebs (Germany), Danielle Galligan (Ireland), Tecla Marianna Insolia (Italy), Sofia Tjelta Sydness (Norway) and Cleo Diára (Portugal).
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**supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and Netherlands Production Incentive