The Irish Film and Television Academy and Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland have announced the nominees for the 2026 Screen Ireland IFTA Rising Star Award, with the winner to be revealed at the IFTA ceremony on February 20, at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. The shortlist celebrates a new wave of Irish screen makers whose recent work has kept Ireland centre stage globally and follows past Rising Star recipients such as Saoirse Ronan and Michael Fassbender.
Selected by a special jury and sponsored by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, this Rising Star Award is a unique IFTA Award that puts an international spotlight on Irish professionals who have honed their craft in their formative years and 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."
Désirée Finnegan, Chief Executive of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, said "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
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
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")
Myrid Carten
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")
Louisa Harland
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 20 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.
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