In a joint effort to high-light and promote new up-and coming acting talent from Sweden the Stockholm International Film Festival and L'Oréal Paris have initiated the L'Oréal Paris Rising Star Award. Actor Anastasios Soulis is the 2009 recipient.

The selection jury, consisting of representatives from Teaterförbundet, (Swedish Union for Theatre, Artists and Media) the Swedish Film Institute and the organization for Swedish Film- & TV-producers together with Swedish actors Marie Richardson and Gustaf Hammarsten, have the following motivation:

"Anastasios Soulis receives this year's award for his ability to portray, with great emotions and absolute pitch, young people's lives and dreams. During 2009 we have seen this young actor in different productions such as "De halvt dolda" - in which he plays a gruesome youth leader, the prosperous son in law in "The Wedding photographer", as the crime aspiring younger brother in the Johan Falk films as well as starring as the shy friend in "The Princess". We want more and long to see our Rising star shine in leading roles as well as polished supporting roles."

Anastasios Soulis will attend the Stockholm International Film Festival Awards Ceremony on November 28th to accept the 2009 Rising Star Award. He will also receive a trip from L'Oréal Paris to the 2010 Cannes International Film Festival wich they sponsor.

Anastasios Soulis, born 1987. Made his debut as a teenager in Ulf Malmros' "Den bästa Sommaren"(2000) Was nominated for a Guldbagge in 2007 in the category for best male in a leading role for his part in "Underbara Älskade" (2006) and has after that performed in "Les Grandes Personnes" (2008), and is starring in two current films "Prinsessa" (2009) and "Bröllpsfotografen (2009) hitting the cinemas this autumn.