Oscar: The next generation

Saoirse Ronan

Age: 13

Back story: Ronan began acting on TV series in her native Ireland, and the first feature film she ever shot, "Death Defying Acts," will be released this year.

Nominated for:

Supporting actress ("Atonement")

Noteworthy: Ronan has managed to scoop up a raft of the most desired children's parts. In the coming year, she will star opposite Bill Murray in "City of Ember" and portray 14-year-old Susie Salmon in Peter Jackson's upcoming screen version of "The Lovely Bones."