MAIN COMPETITION JURY

Chairman

Iceland

Director, scriptwriter, producer. Born in 1954 in Reykjavik. Started his filmmaking carrier with a series of experimental films and documentaries in the early 1980’s. In 1987, he founded The Icelandic Film Corporation, which was Iceland's most important production company for over 20 years, producing his films as well as working with other Icelandic directors and producers. Through his international reputation the company built a network of internationally well-established co-production partner companies, including Lars von Triers Zentropa and Francis Ford Coppola's American Zoetrope. As a director, he gained international recognition and critical acclaim with his second feature “Children of Nature” (1991) which was nominated for an Oscar as Best Foreign Language Film. Co-writing with two of Iceland's most acclaimed novelists and scriptwriters 'Einar Mar Gudmundsson' (“Children of Nature”, “Angels of the Universe”, “Movie Days”) and Einar Karason (“White Whales”, “Devils Island”, “Falcons”) he has been acclaimed for the strong visual style of his films and his gift for stunning images. His films combine a wry sense of humour and genuine solidarity with the characters.

 

 

Serbia

Prominent Serbian film actor, screenwriter and director. During his 50 year long career as an actor, he played in over 100 movies and TV series. He shared the screen with Christopher Plummer, Florinda Bolkan, Sergey Bondarchuk, Franco Nero... As a creator and writer, he stands behind numerous movies and TV shows that achieved great commercial success, with highest ratings of all times in Serbia and former Yugoslav countries. His filmography as director includes “Selo gori a baba se češlja” (2006–2010, series), “Selo gori i tako…” (2009), “Ravna gora” (2013, series), “Za kralja i otadzbinu” (2014), “Braća po babine linije” (2016), “Šifra Despot” (2018, series), “Psi laju vetar nosi” (2019, series). “Heroes of Halyard” (2023) is his first project introduction to international movie critics and audience.

 

 

Russia

Scriptwriter, film director, producer. Born in Sevastopol. In 1998 he graduated from the Yaroslavl Theater Institute, and in 2000 – from VGIK. His directorial debut, the documentary “Mess” (2000), won the special prize of the Kinotavr Debut competition and many other awards. His next short docu “Bitch” (2021), also got awards at Kinotavr and international film festivals in Amsterdam and Oberhausen. His first fiction short “Hare Hunting” (2004) was celebrated at several national and international film forums. His feature debut “Nirvana” (2008) premiered at the Berlinale and was awarded the Kinotavr prize for the Best Debut and many other prizes. All his other works, including “I Am” (2009), “Olympius Inferno” (2010), “Bedouin” (2011), “Express Moscow – Russia” (2014), “The Cellar” (2018), received awards of major international film festivals. The TV series “Olga” (2016–2023) became an icon and got TEFI and APKiT awards.

 

 

Turkey

Graduated from the cinema-TV department of the fine art faculty of Marmara University in 2001. He is committed to making independent films that tell fresh and first-hand stories from his region. “My Marlon and Brando” (2008), his first feature film, was selected for Rotterdam IFF and had its North American premiere at New York Tribeca IFF where won Best Director Award. To this date, the film has been screened in 36 international film festivals and won numerous awards. His documentary and feature films have been selected for festivals worldwide and picked up various awards. He was involved as artistic director in the production of an omnibus project entitled “Do Not Forget Me Istanbul” (2011). His movie “Come to My Voice” had its world premiere in Berlinale and won many awards. His filmography also includes “A Breath with Pina Bausch” (2004, doc.), “No Darkness Can Make Us Forget” (2010, animation), “F Type Moive (Prisons of Turkey)” (2012, omnibus), “Insiders” (2018), etc.

 

 

Russia

Russian actress. Born in Morshansk, Tambov region. In 2002 graduated from the Schepkin Higher College of Theatre (class of V.Beilis and V.Ivanova). Three times winner of the Nika and Golden Eagle awards, winner of the Best Actress Award of the MIFF for the movie “Orleans” (2015) and the TV award TEFI. Acted in the films and TV series “Dreaming of Space” (2005), “Soldier’s Decameron” (2005), “The Karamazov Brothers” (2008), “Elena” (2010), “The Geographer Drank His Globe Away” (2013), “Leviathan” (2014), “Infidelities” (2015), “Dovlatov” (2018), “The Psycho” (2020), “18+” (2022), “Air” (2023) and others.

 

 

Kazakhstan

Film producer, director, and scriptwriter. Graduated from the Kazakh National University with a degree in journalism. Studied at the department of directing at VGIK in Moscow and later trained with the film director Tatyana Lioznova. Received additional professional education at the Phoenix University (USA). PhD. In 2004 she founded the film company Eurasia Film Production which undertook joint projects with leading film companies on Russia, America and Europe. In 2008 at the Pusan IFF she was named Asian Filmmaker of the Year. In 2005– 2008 she was the founder and general manager of the festival “Eurasia” in Astana and in 2010 became the general manager of the Kazakh-American Film Festival in Almaty. Her producer projects including “Mongol” (2007), “Tulip” (2008), “Ayka” (2018) won numerous awards at leading international film festivals and Oscar nominations. Her directorial work “Russians on Marienplatz” participated in the out-ofcompetition program of the MIFF in 2022.