MAIN COMPETITION JURY

Sri Lanka

CHAIRMAN

He is widely regarded as one of the most talented and influential filmmakers in South Asia. He is known for his thought-provoking films that often deal with social, political, and cultural issues. His films have received numerous awards accolades, both locally and internationally, and have been praised for their innovative storytelling. His directorial filmography includes “Ice on Fire” (1993), “Dark Night of the Soul” (1996), “Death on a Full Moon Day” (1997), “Walls Within” (1998), “August Sun” (2003), “Flowers of the Sky” (2008), “With You, Without You” (2012), “Silence in the Courts” (2015, doc.), “Children of the Sun” (2019), “Paradise” (2023) and others. He adopted Leo Tolstoy's novel “Resurrection” in 1996 for the cinema and Fyodor Dostoyevsky's short story “The Meek One” in 2012.

 

 

Russia

A leading Russian screen and stage actress. Born in Moscow. In 2003 finished a music college as a pianist. In 2007 graduated from GITIS (class of A.Porokhovschikov). Performed at the Center for Drama and Directing under the direction of A.Kazantsev and M.Roshchin and at Teatr.doc. She plays Margarita in the eponymous production of Mikhail Bulgakov's novel “The Master and Margarita” at the F.Volkov Russian State Academic Drama Theater. Winner of the Nika Award. Acted in the films and TV series “Free Floating” (2006), “Once Upon a Time There Lived a Simple Woman” (2011), “Break-Up” (2011), “Angels of the Revolution” (2014), “The Americans” (2018), “A.L.Zh.I.R.” (2019), “Give Me Liberty” (2019), “Crystal City” (2021), “Epidemic” (2022), “Dreams of Alice” (2023), “My Invisible” (2024), “Anora” (2024), “A Trip to the Sun and Back” (2025), “Ghandi Kept Silent on Saturdays” (2025), “Taiga” (2025), “Sanding Dreams” (2026) and many others.

 

 

Spain

He was born in Madrid, but shoots his films anywhere. He has directed “Ce que je sais de Lola” (2006), “La mujer sin piano” (2009), “El muerto y ser Feliz” (2014) and “Dans la chambre du Sultán” (2024). He has won the Silver Shell for Best Director at the San Sebastián International Film Festival and the FIPRESCI International Critics’ Prize three times (in London, Montevideo and San Sebastián). He is currently preparing his new feature film, “La moto de Gloria Fuertes”, staring Lola Dueñas.

 

 

Russia

Film director, scriptwriter, producer. Born in Moscow. In 2011 graduated from VGIK (class of A.Uchitel). Winner of national film awards the Golden Eagle and Nika. Prizewinner of and participant in international film festivals in Venice, Toronto, Rotterdam, Karlovy Vary, San Sebastian, Cairo and others. Since 2020 he is curator and creative head of the field of study “Screen Arts” at the School of Design with the National Research University Higher School of Economics. His students took part in and won awards at the most prominent Russian film festivals. In 2022 he founded the “Film Studio Correction Class” where he is the artistic director and general producer. His directorial filmography includes “Pionism” (2011, doc.), “Dog Bliss” (2013, doc.), “Correction Class” (2014), “Zoology” (2016), “Jumpman” (2018), “Conference” (2020), “Lyusya” (2022), “The Flood” (2023), “Panic Attacks” (2024), “Reverse” (2025, doc.) and others.

 

 

Turkey

Film director, scriptwriter, producer. In 2000, he made his debut in cinema with documentary directing. His first feature film, “Uzak İhtimal” (2009), received numerous awards, including the Best Film Award at the Rotterdam IFF, as well as the Best Director Award at the Istanbul Film Festival and the Adana Golden Boll Film Festival. His second film, “Yozgat Blues” (2013), had its world premiere at the San Sebastian IFF, received the Best Film Award at the Adana Golden Boll and Malatya Film Festivals, as well as the Best Balkan Film Award at the Sofia IFF. His film “Anons” (2017), which had its world premiere at the Venice IFF, received over thirty awards from national and international festivals. In 2022, he directed the contemporary art documentary “Crossroads”. Director of the series “Deep Purple”, consisting of 8 episodes, for the TABİİ digital platform. He has completed the screenplay for his new film “The Cremation Society”, and currently he’s producing a TV series “No Way Home” for TABİİ.

 

 

China

Highly influential Chinese actress and multifaceted artist. She rose to prominence in 2002 with her breakout role in the phenomenal youth drama “Sky of the Eighteenth Year”, becoming a beloved household name and a cultural icon for a generation. As a prominent figure in the Mandopop scene, her hit singles such as “The Myth of Star” and “Moon and Summer’s End Breeze” have resonated across Asia. Her broad artistic reach led her to perform the global promotional theme for the Hollywood production “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny”. In her acting career, she has demonstrated remarkable versatility across various genres, from the record-breaking fantasy epic “The Myth” (2010, series) to the urban drama “Women in Shanghai” (2018, series) and the historical series “The Rise of Ning” (2024). In 2026, her latest feature “Where the Sun Shines Bright”, directed by Berlinale-winning filmmaker Lam Can-zhao, makes its world premiere at the 48th Moscow International Film Festival.