SHORT FILMS JURY

Greece

CHAIRMAN

Actor, theatre director, and translator. Born in Athens in 1956, he has established himself as a leading figure of contemporary Greek theatre. In 1986, he founded the “Contemporary Theatre of Athens”, and in 1996 he created a Drama School under the supervision of the Hellenic Ministry of Culture. In 1999, he was appointed Artistic Director of the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Patras. Over the course of his career, he has directed and performed in a wide range of productions, taking on major roles in both classical and modern repertoire. Alongside his work in theatre, he has developed a notable presence in cinema and television, collaborating with prominent Greek directors and appearing in a number of feature films. He has also directed the feature film The Gull, which was presented at the 46th Moscow International Film Festival. His work has been recognized with major distinctions, including the Best Actor Award at the Thessaloniki Film Festival for Urge for Life (1986) and the National Cinema Award for Best Actor for Living Dangerously (1987). He has also received major theatre distinctions, including Critics’ and Best Actor awards, as well as an Audience Choice Award for his stage work, and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the New York City Greek Film Festival (2018).

 

 

Japan

Born in 1977. Director, screenwriter, producer. Director of the Inoue Visual Design film company. His feature debut “Reminiscentia” (2016), shot in Russia with Russian actors, won awards for the Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor at the Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood, as well as the prize for the Best feature film at the International Festival of Young Directors in Tokyo. His next joint Russian-Japanese project, “The Prisoner of Sakura” (2019), became the opening film of the Ehime International Film Festival in Japan, was screened at the MIFF in the program “Russian Trace”, and won the audience award at the IFF “East & West. Classics and Avant-garde” in Orenburg, and at the “Russian Abroad” Film Festival the director received the award for his contribution to Russian-Japanese friendship. “Otokogami. The Hungry God” (2025) became the best foreign film at the IFF “East & West. Classics and Avant-garde” and won prizes for the Best Actress and Best Costumes at the Japanese-Croatian Film Festival. His filmography also includes “Inside Water” (2022), a number of short films, music videos and commercials.

 

 

Russia

Stage and screen actress. Born in Korolev, Moscow region. Master of Sports in artistic gymnastics. Graduated from the M.S.Shchepkin Theatre Institute (class of Boris Klyuev) and the department of directing of the Moscow Film School (curse of Alexey Popogrebsky). Since 2012, she has been a leading actress at the M.N.Yermolova Moscow Drama Theater headed by Oleg Menshikov. Produced and co-wrote the film “Both Two” (2024) directed by Vladimir Kott. Acted in films and TV series “Interns” (2010–2016), “Six Degrees of Celebration” (2010), “The Dawns Here Are Quiet…” (2015), “Text” (2019), “The Whaler Boy” (2020), “Lyusya” (2022), “Sansara” (2023), “Middle of Nowhere” (2023), “Film No. 8” (2024), “Son of a Rich 3” (2026), and others.