Selected by a special Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) awards jury and sponsored by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, this Rising Star award is unique 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.
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.
The IFTA 2025 Rising Star nominees are:
- Anthony Boyle (Actor - “Say Nothing," “Masters of the Air," “House of Guinness," “Manhunt”)
- Aislinn Clarke (Writer/Director - “Fréwaka," “The Devil’s Doorway," “Eye Exam”)
- Clinton Liberty (Actor - “House of the Dragon," “Holding," “Red Election," “Normal People”)
- Alisha Weir (Actor - “Abigail," “Wicked Little Letters," “Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical")
Speaking about the Rising Stars award, Áine Moriarty, Chief Executive of IFTA, said: “These four hugely talented Rising Stars represent the new wave of Irish professionals who are leading our homegrown industry on the world stage.”
Previous winners of the Rising Star award include Saoirse Ronan, Michael Fassbender, Nicola Coughlan, Domhnall Gleeson, Siobhán Cullen, Jamie Dornan, Sarah Greene, Aoife McArdle, Colm Bairéad, Aisling Franciosi, John Michael McDonagh, Gerard Barrett, Stephen Fingleton, Tomm Moore, Patrick Gibson, and Jacob McCarthy. All of these awardees have gone on to garner recognition and accolades both in Ireland and internationally.
Anthony Boyle
Anthony Boyle in "Say Nothing".
Anthony Boyle was born in Belfast and graduated from the Royal West College of Music and Drama in Cardiff in 2016. Shortly after graduating, he appeared in films including “The Lost City of Z," “The Journey,” and “Tolkien."
Since then, he has starred in major international TV series including FX’s “Say Nothing”, Steven Spielberg produced “Masters of the Air” for Apple TV+, as well as Apple’s thriller “Manhunt." He has also appeared in “Derry Girls," “The Plot Against America”, “Shardlake,” and “Patrick Melrose”, and will play Arthur Guinness in the upcoming “House of Guinness” for Netflix.
He has won an Olivier Award and been Tony Award-nominated for his role in stage productions of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child."
Aislinn Clarke
Aislinn Clarke.
Aislinn Clarke was born in Dundalk and moved to Northern Ireland as a teenager. Her debut horror feature "The Devil’s Doorway" was released in 2018 and played at numerous international horror festivals, and was released by IFC in the US. She followed it up last year with Irish language horror "Fréwaka," starring Clare Monnelly and Bríd Ní Neachtain, which had its World Premiere at Locarno Film Festival and has received two IFTA nominations.
Clarke is a previous Bingham Ray New Talent nominee at Galway Film Fleadh, and was recognized last year by Variety as one of "Ireland’s Rising Stars Behind the Camera" and she currently has projects in development with Paramount and Studiocanal. Her acclaimed short films include "Childer" and "Eye Exam."
Aislinn said: “It’s such an honor to be nominated for the IFTA Rising Star Award, which over the years has included so many of Ireland’s greatest talents. Is mór an onóir é a bheith san áireamh sa líon sin. Go raibh míle maith agaibh! [Thank you!]”
Clinton Liberty
Clinton Liberty.
Clinton Liberty grew up in Laytown, Co Meath, and graduated in acting from The Lir Academy in 2019. He made his screen debut in 2016's "Handsome Devil," and appeared in five episodes of "Normal People", in 2020.
He followed that role with major parts in Irish/Swedish drama "Red Election" in 2021, and "Holding" in 2022, based on Graham Norton’s novel and co-starring Conleth Hill and Siobhán McSweeney.
In 2024, he began starring as Addam of Hull in the second season of HBO’s blockbuster "Game of Thrones" prequel series "House of the Dragon."
Clinton said: “I’m delighted to be nominated for this Rising Star award, it’s so lovely to be recognized within the industry I love, for work I’m so proud of.
"I was in my trailer on a new project when I received the news, and the first person I told was my Mum! Excited to celebrate a great year in Irish film and TV on 14th Feb!”
Alisha Weir
Alisha Weir.
Alisha Weir, born in Dublin, has already grown a major international fanbase by the age of 15, breaking out in 2022 with the lead role in "Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical."
She began her career on stage in "Once" at the Olympia Theatre and performed on "The Late Late Toy Show" in 2017, which brought her to national prominence.
She received her first IFTA nomination in 2023 for her role as "Matilda" and has received her second Lead Actress nomination this year, starring as the titular vampire in "Abigail,' written by Irish screenwriter Stephen Shields and co-produced by Wild Atlantic Pictures.
She has also starred in "Wicked Little Letters" opposite Jessie Buckley and Olivia Colman, and will next appear in the animated film "The Land of Sometimes" with Ewan McGregor and Helena Bonham Carter.
Alisha said: “WOW, I am absolutely over the moon to be shortlisted for 2025's Rising Star Award. I am currently studying for my upcoming Junior Cert Mock Exams when my mam came flying in to tell me the great news; my dad and my two sisters were so excited for me when I told them.
"I am absolutely thrilled and so thankful to be shortlisted. I am grateful for the opportunities I have had so far and I can't wait to continue learning, growing and contributing to the amazing film industry and I can't wait to see where this journey takes me."
The 2025 IFTA Awards Ceremony takes place on Friday, February 14 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre.
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