Shareeka Epps

Shareeka Epps ( born July 11, 1989 in Brooklyn, New York ) is an American actress.

Biography

Shareeka Epps grew up in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. In 2004, the young African-American woman was discovered at her school by the two independent filmmakers Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden, who were looking for a leading lady for their film project Gowanus, Brooklyn. The 19- minute short film, set in the same Brooklyn neighborhood, is the shy thirteen year old Drey at the center, the drug use of her white junior high school teacher (played by Matt Kerr) is on the trail. Gowanus, Brooklyn was granted success with critics and was awarded a prize, among others at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. Two years later, stain and soil made ​​it reprocess the material and to film a feature film titled Half Nelson with Ryan Gosling as disillusioned history and physical education teacher. Again Shareeka Epps was entrusted with the female lead role of Drey and 2006, the Independent Film developed in the U.S. for surprise hit with critics and audiences. For her feature film debut, which was praised by the New York Times as " great, understated performance ", " their power of restraint in their game " herrühre, Epps awards include the price of film critics association of Boston as best supporting actress. At the ceremony for the Independent Spirit Awards 2007, she triumphed over such established actresses such as Catherine O'Hara ( Long live Hollywood) or Robin Wright Penn ( Sorry, Haters ) and was honored as best actress.

Shareeka Epps visited the Binghamton High School in upstate New York, where she is dedicated to the dance and among others participated in the school's production of the musical Les Misérables. In 2007, she also appeared in Noah Buschels Drama Neal Cassady, based on the life of the eponymous American author ( 1926-1968 ).

Filmography (selection)

• 2004: Gowanus, Brooklyn (Short Film )
• 2006: Half Nelson
• 2007: Neal Cassady
• 2007: Aliens Vs. Predator 2
• 2008: Four
• 2009: The Winning Season
• 2009: Mothers and Daughters ( Mother and Child )
• , 2011: Yelling To The Sky

Awards

Black Reel Awards

• 2007: nominated in the categories of Best Supporting Actress and Best Breakthrough Performance for Half Nelson

Boston Society of Film Critics Awards

• 2006: Best Supporting Actress for Half Nelson

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

• 2006: nominated for Best Young Actress for Half Nelson

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards

• 2007: nominated for Best Young Actress for Half Nelson

Gotham Awards

• 2006: Breakthrough Award for Half Nelson

Independent Spirit Awards

• 2007: Best Actress for Half Nelson

Online Film Critics Society Awards

• 2007: nominated in the category Best Breakthrough Performance for Half Nelson