French actress Nadia Melliti was studying sports science at Sorbonne Paris North and playing amateur football when she was discovered on the street by a casting director.

With no formal training or acting experience, she was cast in The Little Sister, directed by Hafsia Herzi. The 23 year old went on to capture the attention of the film world, winning Best Actress at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The film also received the Queer Palm and saw Variety hail her as 'an arresting presence'. With such a powerful debut and critical acclaim already behind her, Melliti is clearly one to watch.