Helena Trestikova: an admired Czech director accepts a European crown
On December 6, Czech documentarist Helena Trestikova received the "European Oscar" in Copenhagen, the European Film Academy's Prix Arte.
Estonian breakout director: Rene Vilbre
2008 was the breakout year for the Estonian director Rene Vilbre whose second feature I Was Here screened at this year's Karlovy Vary East of the West section and climbed…
Hungarian Director Attila Gigor
Following stints as a bit actor, film journalist, assistant director and creator of two short films, several music videos and commercials, the 30-year-old Hungarian filmmaker Attlia Gigor, neé Attila Galambos,…
Lithuanian Break-out director of 2008: Kristina Buozyte
Kristina Buozyte introduced herself both in Lithuania and on the international circuit with her film school graduation directing debut, The Collectress (www.collectress.lt).
Poland's Directing Discovery: Malgorzata Szumowska
Malgorzata Szumowska, director of 33 Scenes from Life turns out to be the directing discovery of 2008 in Poland.
Romanian actor turns director: Horatiu Malaele
Seasoned Romanian actor Horatiu Malaele had his feature film directorial debut in late November, with Silent Wedding opening to the general praise from local media.
Break-out director of 2008 – Juraj Lehotsky
Young Slovak director Juraj Lehotsky (age 33) drew international attention with his 77-minute debut Blind Loves, a documentary with fictional elements about love among the blind, whcih premiered on March…
Slovenian break-out director of 2008 - Vinko Moderndorfer
Vinko Moderndorfer fulfilled the promise of his debut film Suburts with his 2008 sophomore effort Landscape No. 2.
A new voice from Turkey: Ozcan Alper
Ozcan Alper's debut feature Autumn tells the intense and melancholic story of the last days of a young political prisoner who is released on health grounds after ten years and…
Slovenian Actor in the Spotlight 2008 - Marko Mandic
Marco Mandic's performance in the Venice festival film Landscape No.2 is just the latest in a growing string of impressive performances in Slovenian films.
Bulgarian actress of the year: Ernestina Shinova
Known as the beautiful muse of her extravagant film director husband Andrei Slabakov, Ernestina Shinova visibly advanced her career with portrayals of two characters in his long-awaited Hindemith.
Jiri Madl: from Czech teen idol to serious actor
At the age of 22, Jiri Madl has become of the most promising and talented Czech actors of the young generation.
Actor in the Spotlight: Rasmus Kaljujarv
2008 brought a new poster boy to the Estonian cinema in the person of Rasmus Kaljujarv, the lead role in the box office hit I Was Here.
Hungarian Actress in the Spotlight: Orsolya Toth
Recently named as the Shooting Star representing Hungary at the upcoming Berlinale, Orsi Toth (as she is often billed) has been at the core of all but one of the…
Iveta Pole reigns in Latvia's Monotony
Iveta Pole has an exquisite face that stands out in a crowd.
Actor in the spotlight: Maciej Stuhr moves out of comedy
A moving performance in 33 Scenes From Life brought Maciej Stuhr the Leszek Cybulski Prize, the ultimate recognition in Poland of his versatility as an actor.
Romanian Actress in the Spotlight: Meda Victor
Meda Victor, 24, had her film debut this fall, in Horatiu Malaele's Silent Wedding playing the female lead, a young bride-to-be who is widowed by the end of the movie…
Marius Jampolskis - Lithuanian Actor in the Spotlight
Marius Jampolskis was awarded Lithuania's 2008 Silver Crane for best actor in Kristina Buozyte's Collectress.
Slovak Actor in the Spotlight – Lubos Kostelny
Slovak actor Lubos Kostelny (born 1981) was well known to theatre going audiences in Slovakia, but in 2008 Kostelny became a Slovak film star as well.
Turkish Actress in the Spotlight: Ayca Damgaci
Ayca Damgaci took the actor's mantra -- to use experiences from one's own life -- and parlayed it into Best Actress awards at the Istanbul, Sarajevo, and Adana Golden Boll…
