Antonia, who has been acting since 2004, is best known in the UK as Sam Spleen, daughter of Rick Spleen (Jack Dee) in BBC's popular comedy series ‘Lead Balloon’, After the success of the first series of ‘Lead Balloon’, Antonia went on to be cast in a variety of comedy shows on British television alongside the likes of Jennifer Saunders and ‘In The Thick of It's’ Alex McQueen, to her own one man show ‘Bluebell Welch’ for MTV.
She recently was the female lead in ‘Lotus Eaters’ by director Alexandra McGuinness where she played an ex-model drifting through hedonistic ostentatious London trying to find her path. She has also just finished filming ‘Kelly+Victor’ as the lead female role, Kelly directed by Kieran Evans.
The title recognises European actors and actresses for their outstanding work in feature films and who have proven themselves ready to expand their film careers beyond their home countries. Other European talent to be honoured at the festival include French actress Adèle Haenel for ‘House of Tolerance’, Anna Maria Mühe from Germany for ‘November Child’, ‘Either Way’ actor Hilmar Gudjónsson of Iceland and Italian actress Isabella Ragonese for ‘The First Assignment’.
Poland’s Jakub Gierszał for ‘Suicide Room’, Ana Ularu of Romania for ‘Outbound’, Sweden actor Bill Skarsgård for ‘Simple Simon’, Switzerland’s Max Hubacher ‘The Foster Boy’ and Riz Ahmed from the UK for ‘Four Lions’ will also be receiving the award in the New Year.
The Shooting Stars, who were short listed down from 23 candidates by a special international jury, will be showcased by the EFP for two days at the Berlin Film Festival, which runs from the 9th-19th of February. The showcase culminates in an award ceremony at the Berlinale Palast where the talent will be honoured with the Shooting Stars Award.
Previous Irish winners of the award include Domhnall Gleeson, Sarah Bolger, Pádraic Delaney and Ruth Negga.
