Irina Kastrinidis

Irina Kastrinidis, born in Zurich to Greek roots, holds both Swiss and Austrian citizenship. Her acting career began in her teens and has taken her across Europe and South America.

From 1996 to 2000, she studied acting at the Bern University of Music and Drama. Her career started at Staatstheater Braunschweig in Germany, followed by over a decade at Berlin’s Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, working with acclaimed directors like Frank Castorf. She has performed on international stages in Paris, Athens, and São Paulo.

In film, Irina appeared in the cult favorite Schwarze Schafe by Oliver Rhis and most recently starred as Dubravka in Roman Polanski’s The Palace, alongside Mickey Rourke. The Palace premiered at the 2023 Venice International Film Festival and was later showcased at the Zurich Film Festival. Schwarze Schafe was nominated for Best Swiss Feature Film in 2008.

As an author, her play Schwarzes Meer, directed by Frank Castorf, premiered in 2021 at Landestheater St. Pölten, Austria. She also co-wrote Clash – Digital Resurrections with Nora Amin, performed in Zurich, Cairo, Alexandria, and Tunisia.