Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland has congratulated actors Paul Mescal, Dónall Ó Héalaí and Helen Behan, writers Colum Eastwood and Declan Lawn, cinematographer Kate McCullough and costume designer Sinéad Kidao. All seven Irish film industry professionals have been selected for Screen International’s Stars of Tomorrow.
Screen International has revealed its picks for this year’s showcase of the UK and Ireland’s most hotly tipped actors, directors, writers, producers and heads of department. Irish talent is present across all categories and these selections highlight their achievements on several Screen Ireland-supported projects; notably the hit TV series Normal People, which both marked Paul Mescal’s television debut and showcased cinematography from Irish DOP Kate McCullough. Actor Dónall Ó’Héalaí received strong critical acclaim this year for his performance in the joint TG4 and Screen Ireland-supported feature film Arracht.
Colum Eastwood – Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2020 
Declan Lawn (left) – Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2020 
Dónall Ó Héalaí – Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2020 
Helen Behan – Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2020 
Kate McCullough – Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2020 
Sinéad Kidao – Screen Stars of Tomorrow 2020
Screen International Stars of Tomorrow opened up to include Ireland in 2014 and it’s been a joy to highlight talents such as Aisling Franciosi, Barry Keoghan, Seana Kerslake, and Niamh Algar to the industry since then.
This year is our biggest ever Irish participation with three actors, a cinematographer and a costume designer from the South and two writers and a director from the North. It only serves to underline how rich the seam of young talent Ireland is in all aspects of filmmaking. It’s a difficult time for the creative industries right now so it’s a good opportunity to celebrate what we have and look forward to what they will do in the future.
Finn Halligan, Curator – Screen Stars of Tomorrow
Screen International has a highly regarded track record of spotting talent early, and this year’s UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow will be following in the footsteps of some of today’s biggest names in film and television, many of whom are BAFTA and Oscar winners and nominees. From Emily Blunt and Benedict Cumberbatch in the inaugural selection in 2004, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Taron Egerton in 2014, Florence Pugh and Jodie Comer in 2016, the Screen International UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow alumni are now among the UK and Irish leaders of the global industry.
The full list of 2020 Screen Stars of Tomorrow is available here.
Screen International editor Matt Mueller and Stars of Tomorrow curator Fionnuala Halligan will meet this year’s UK & Ireland Stars of Tomorrow on Monday October 5 at 5pm. Register to watch it live here.