Screen Ireland - IFTA Rising Star Award Nominees Announced for 2026 ahead of February 20th Ceremony

The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland are delighted to announce the 2026 Screen Ireland - IFTA Rising Star Nominees with the winner to be announced at the 2026 IFTA Awards Ceremony on Friday, February 20th.

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 honed their craft in their formative years and have excelled in their respective fields. The nominees this year are at the vanguard of the next wave of Irish Screen Talent, whose incredible work will keep Ireland at the forefront of the global screen industries.

Ireland has enjoyed another exceptional year in terms of film and television production with screen professionals creating and producing world-class stories that have engaged audiences around the globe. 

Previous winners of the Rising Star Award include for example; Saoirse Ronan, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Dornan, Nicola Coughlan, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Boyle, Siobhán Cullen and Sarah Greene, all of whom have gone on to garner recognition and accolades both in Ireland and internationally.

The Nominees for the 2026 Screen Ireland - IFTA Rising Star Award are:

Carolyn Bracken (Actor - Horseshoe, Oddity)

Brendan Canty (Director - Christy, Gealtra)

Myrid Carten (Director - A Want in Her)

Louisa Harland (Actor - The Walsh Sisters, Derry Girls)

Speaking about the 2026 Rising Stars:

Áine Moriarty, Chief Executive of the Irish Film and Television Academy, said:

“These four superb individuals are a true reflection of the brilliant new wave of Irish talent who are proving themselves to be world-class screen professionals. This prestigious Award has recognised many great Irish talents in the early stage of their careers and, for the four Nominees this year, we hope this recognition will bolster the next phase of their creative journeys internationally. Congratulations to each of them.”

Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said: 

"Our sincere congratulations to each of the nominees announced for the 2026 IFTA Rising Star Award. These nominations highlight a new generation of incredible storytellers in Ireland, and Screen Ireland is proud to sponsor the award, supporting new and established voices and artists across the screen industry."

THE SCREEN IRELAND - IFTA RISING STAR NOMINEES 2026

Carolyn Bracken (Actor - Horseshoe, Oddity)

Carolyn Bracken grew up in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary. She began her career performing with local troupes including Nenagh Players before her breakthrough Drama role as Sandra Sculley in 2019’s Dublin Murders. She followed this with a lead role in Kate Dolan’s feature film You Are Not My Mother, earning rave reviews.

She appeared in An Cailín Ciúin and The Gone, and received her first IFTA nomination for Lead Actress in 2025 for Damian McCarthy's horror Oddity. She received her second IFTA nomination in 2026 for her performance in Horseshoe, an independent family drama from debut filmmakers Edwin Mullane and Adam O’Keeffe.   

Carolyn said: "Well, this is just lovely. My deepest thanks, IFTA. Congratulations to my fellow nominees – I’m in great company. The only reason I've come to be even considered for things like this is because of family, and the tribes in my life. Thank you for your love, support and swift kicks up the arse when needed.”

Brendan Canty (Director - Christy, Gealtra)

Brendan Canty was born in Cork. In his early career, he enjoyed major success with his video for Hozier’s “Take Me to Church”, which surpassed a billion views on YouTube and received two MTV VMA nominations. Brendan has also directed music videos for artists including Dermot Kennedy and Talos, as well as commercials for brands including Adidas, Sky Sports and Fáilte Ireland.

In 2017, Brendan’s short film For You starring Barry Keoghan received an IFTA nomination. In 2019, he directed a second short film, Christy, which he later developed into his debut feature with BBC Film and Screen Ireland. The film premiered at the Berlinale 2025, and is nominated in 14 categories at this year’s IFTA Awards, including Best Director. His feature documentary, Gealtra, funded by TG4 and the Arts Council, premiered in 2025 and won Best Irish Feature at the Cork International Film Festival.

Brendan said: “The support from the film community over the past year has truly blown me away. To be nominated for this award, especially given the people who’ve received it in the past, is incredibly humbling. I’m so honoured.”

Myrid Carten (Director - A Want in Her)

Originally from the Donegal Gaeltacht, Myriad Carten trained in Artists’ Film at Goldsmiths University London and Fine Art at Central Saint Martins, UAL. She received the Arts Council of Ireland’s Next Generation Artist Award 2018-19. Her films have screened internationally and been supported by the BFI, Doc Society, Screen Ireland, NI Screen, New Dawn Fund and the Netherlands Film Fund. Meanwhile, her art has been exhibited at Hugh Lane Gallery, Lismore Castle Arts, Sadler’s Wells London and more, and is in the Arts Council of Ireland’s and Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s national collections. 

A Want in Her is her feature documentary debut, for which she has received IFTA nominations for Best Director and George Morrison Feature Documentary, a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut, and three British Independent Film Awards including Debut Director.

Myrid said: “I’m delighted to be nominated for this award - when you make a film like this, you don’t know where it’ll end up. Or where you’ll end up! I hope this nomination is a sign of things to come.”

Louisa Harland (Actor - The Walsh Sisters, Derry Girls, Hamnet)

Louisa Harland was born in Dublin and is best known for her acclaimed roles in the BAFTA-winning Channel 4 series Derry Girls and the Disney+ drama Renegade Nell. She is a first-time IFTA nominee this year for her role in The Walsh Sisters, adapted from Marian Keyes’ beloved novels. 

On stage, she earned rave reviews for Ulster American, opposite Woody Harrelson and Andy Serkis. She also starred in the National Theatre’s production of Dancing at Lughnasa, and in Long Day’s Journey Into Night alongside Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson. She also appeared in Chloé Zhao’s award-winning Hamnet opposite Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal.

Louisa said: "I’m blown away with the recognition - as we are wall to wall talent in this country! Thank you!”

The 2026 IFTA Awards Ceremony takes place on Friday, February 20th at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. The Ceremony will be hosted by Kevin McGahern, while iconic Irish actor Ciarán Hinds will be presented with IFTA’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Further details of the upcoming IFTA Awards Ceremony on February 20th will soon be announced including International Guests and Guest Presenters. The Irish Academy Awards are funded by Screen Ireland and Coimisiún na Meán.