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Cypriot Actress Marina Makri Joins Shooting Stars 2025 As A Rising Star Of European Cinema

Marina Makri, a distinguished Cypriot actress, has been selected as one of Europe’s most promising talents for 2025. Chosen by an international jury from the European Film Promotion (EFP) network, she will represent Cyprus in the prestigious Shooting Stars 2025 programme.

About The Shooting Stars Initiative

The European Film Promotion’s (EFP) Shooting Stars programme annually spotlights ten of Europe’s brightest emerging actors. These rising stars are given the chance to enhance their careers through exclusive meetings with industry professionals, including casting directors, talent agents, journalists, and key entertainment industry figures. The programme takes place during the Berlin International Film Festival, where the selected actors engage in international networking opportunities and media exposure.

Makri’s Impressive Career And Achievements

Marina Makri is a multi-award-winning actress with an established career in theatre, cinema, and television. Her portfolio includes roles in successful local and international film productions, as well as appearances in acclaimed television series. She holds a master’s degree in Visual Culture and a degree in Art Theory, showcasing her deep-rooted passion for the arts.

Her exceptional talent was recently recognised at the Cyprus Film Days 2024 International Film Festival, where she received the Best Actress award from the festival’s international jury.

A Milestone For Cypriot Cinema

Makri’s selection for Shooting Stars 2025 is a significant milestone for Cypriot cinema. The Deputy Ministry of Culture’s Department of Contemporary Culture emphasised that this recognition highlights Cyprus’s growing influence in the global film industry. Cyprus has been actively participating in EFP programmes like Producers on the Move since 2018, working to showcase Cypriot talent on the international stage.

As Marina Makri prepares to take the stage at the Berlin International Film Festival, her story inspires hope for the future of Cypriot cinema, shining a light on the island’s growing cultural footprint in the world of film.

TikTok Returns To US App Stores 

TikTok is once again available for download in the Apple and Google app stores in the US, following a delay in the enforcement of its ban by former President Donald Trump. The ban’s postponement until April 5 gives the administration additional time to evaluate the situation.

Key Developments

The decision to restore TikTok access came after Google and Apple received reassurances from the Trump administration that they would not face legal consequences for reinstating the Chinese-owned app. According to Bloomberg, US Attorney General Pam Bondi sent a letter outlining these guarantees.

In an executive order signed on January 20, Trump instructed the attorney general not to take enforcement action for 75 days, providing time for his administration to determine how to proceed.

Uncertain Future For TikTok In The US

While TikTok is back on the US app stores, its long-term survival remains uncertain. If no deal is reached by early April to address national security concerns, the app may face another shutdown. ByteDance, the parent company, has insisted that TikTok is not for sale.

Legislation And Pressure On ByteDance

The Protecting Americans from Foreign Enemy-Controlled Apps Act, which passed with bipartisan support in Congress, mandates a nationwide ban on TikTok unless ByteDance sells its US operations. This law was signed by President Joe Biden in April of last year.

In late January, the app was briefly removed from US stores following the ban’s activation, impacting over 170 million American users. However, TikTok was restored soon after, following Trump’s intervention in his first hours as president. During that time, he signed an executive order allowing 75 days for a deal that would safeguard national security. Trump also suggested that the US could take a 50% stake in TikTok, a move he believed would keep the app “in good hands.”

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