Croatian actress Gracija Filipovic, who made her leading role debut in Antoneta Alamat Kusijanovic's feature film Murina, has been included in the European Shooting Stars programme of this year's Berlin International Film Festival.

“We are impressed by her intuitive and original acting, which she performs with a level of maturity surprising for her age,” the jury said in their decision to include the Croatian actress in the European Shooting Stars programme, according to the Croatian Audiovisual Centre (HAVC).

Every year the European Shooting Stars programme presents the best new European acting talents during the Berlinale.

Thanks to the numerous awards to Murina, the most notable being the Golden Camera in Cannes, Gracija’s collaboration with Antoneta brought her international visibility and recognition, which ultimately contributed to her inclusion in this prestigious Berlinale programme, HAVC said.

Apart from acting, Gracija Filipovic is also a professional swimmer and step dancer. She is studying biology in Zagreb.

Filipović is the fourth Croatian actress to be admitted to the European Shooting Stars programme after Zrinka Cvitesic (2010), Marija Skaricic (2011) and Tihana Lazovic (2016).

The 25th edition of the European Shooting Stars programme, featuring seven actresses and three actors, will be held in hybrid form during the first weekend of the 72nd Berlinale, from 11 to 14 February. The award ceremony will take place on the last day, when awards will be presented to all programme participants.