Jury 2024

JURY

Feature & PerspecTIFF Jury

Tonia is a multi-awarded director/producer, member of the European Film Academy, Oxbelly fellow and Berlinale Talents alumna. She has acted as creative advisor at Rawi Screenwriters Lab and juror at Karlovy Vary and Thessaloniki film festivals. Her films have been presented at major markets (TFL, Midpoint, FFF, Coco, Sofia Meetings, MIB) and selected at prestigious festivals including Locarno, Karlovy Vary, Cairo, Palm Springs, Seattle, Santa Barbara and Sydney, at which she was presented as 1 of Europe’s 10 most outstanding women directors. Her film PAUSE was awarded the FIPRESCI among others and received rave reviews from THR and LA Times, while it was listed one of “20 most daring films of 2019” by Rotten Tomatoes. It was released theatrically in USA and Europe, and streamed on Amazon Prime and HBO Europe. She is now developing several projects under her production label “Bark Like A Cat Films”.

Goce Cvetanovski studied cinema in Paris, where he lived for 17 years. His short films have been screened at many festivals around the world, and have received regional and national awards. His debut feature “The Business of Pleasure” premiered in June 2023 and won 9 international awards. In 2024, after 9 years of production, he finished the animation feature “John Vardar vs the Galaxy”. This is the biggest animation coproduction project in the Balkan, and first Macedonian feature animation ever. World premiere will be announced soon. He is also the first director and brand developer of Macedonia’s most popular animated series “Bibi’s World”, with over 98M views on Youtube. This is the fastest-growing child brand in the Balkans and the series as well as the illustrated books have been sold to all the Ex-Yu territories. Cvetanovski has worked on commercial projects for clients such as Ed Sheeran, Alcatel, Samsung and Faith No More.

Anja Dihrberg-Siebler is a casting director based in Berlin and Cologne. After studying Art History in Munich, she began her career working in “Burgtheater” in Vienna and “Schillertheater” in Berlin, with directors like Peter Zadek and Alexander Lang, until moving into film production in 1995 as junior producer for Bavaria/Colonia Media. She started her own casting company in 1997, working with German directors such as Emily Atef, Maria Schrader, Christian Schwochow, Baran Bo Odar and Robert Schwentke, as well as on international projects with Terrence Malick, Olivier Assayas, Cate Shortland, Julie Delpy and Ralph Fiennes. Amongst her recent projects are: Transatlantic, I Am Your Man, Munich: At The Edge Of War, Dark Satellites, Seneca: On The Creation Of Earthquakes, I Am! Margot Friedländer. She is a member of ICDA, German and European Film Academy and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences.

Documentary Jury

Ardit Sadiku is a filmmaker from Shkodër, Albania. He began making short films as a teenager and has directed, written, and produced three narrative features as well as two documentary features. “Encounter in the Air” (2019) explores the subjects of mental illness as well as the role of mass media in contemporary society. His documentary debut, “Freestyle to Montenegro” (2021), follows the journey of an Albanian swimmer who decided to escape the murderous regime of Enver Hoxha by swimming all the way to Yugoslavia. “Alexander” (2023), Sadiku's newest film, follows the surreal and epic journey of a man who escaped Communist Albania by hijacking a warship with his family and friends. “Alexander” represented Albania in the Best International Feature Film category at the 96th Academy Awards. Thematically, his work reflects an abiding interest in social issues and generational tensions within Albania, and more generally, today’s globalized world.

Otilia Babara is a documentary filmmaker from Moldova currently based in Brussels. “Love is not an orange”, her first feature documentary, had its world premiere at DokLeipzig International Film Festival in 2022. It was screened at over thirty festivals worldwide, including Vision du Reel and MoMa DocFortnight. It received the Silver Eye Award for the best East and Central European documentary, the CEI Award at Trieste film Festival and the Best Documentary Film Awards at Tirana International Film Festival and Europe by Europe in Paris. Babara holds a master’s degree in documentary filmmaking from the Docnomads European Master program (Belgium, Hungary, Portugal) and is a 2013 Berlinale Talents fellow. She is drawn to those who usually go unnoticed. Her films expose big wounds hidden in small details and she's fascinated by untold stories of women.

Goran Gocić is a Belgrade-based critic, journalist and writer, whose works have been published or broadcast by 30-odd media outlets in 12 languages (Sight & Sound, International Film Guide and the BBC among others). He wrote monographs Andy Warhol and Strategies of Pop (1997) and Notes From the Underground: The Cinema of Emir Kusturica (2001), as well as chapters in 40 other books on cinema and the mass media, including Degraded Capability: Media and the Kosovo Crisis (2000) and Želimir Žilnik: Above the Red Dust (2003). He worked as an undercover journalist for an awarded British documentary Bloody Foreigners (2001), wrote and directed a documentary Balkan Diaries: Bulgaria (2010) and co-wrote a feature The Bay (forthcoming in 2025). Gocić is best known in his home country for his novels. The first of those, Thai (2013), is one of the most awarded Serbian novels and a bestseller.

Short Films Jury (Oscar® & European Film Awards Qualifying)

Hu Wei, born in Beijing, China, lives and works between Beijing and Paris. A filmmaker and visual artist, he graduated from the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris and Le Fresnoy-Studio National des Arts Contemporains. He was selected as a resident for the 2014 promotion of the French Academy in Rome - Villa Medici. Since 2016, he has been a professor of film theory and practice at Beijing Normal University and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He develops a practice that bridges cinema and visual arts. His films have been selected for numerous international festivals (Cannes, Rotterdam, Sundance, Clermont-Ferrand, AFI, Chicago, Cinéma du Réel…) and have been repeatedly awarded and nominated (Oscars, European Film Awards, César, AFI, Chicago, Golden Horse). His work has also been screened and exhibited in many museums and art centers (Palais de Tokyo, Gaîté Lyrique, Centre Pompidou…).

Mónica Santos is a multifaceted author with two Sophia awards from the Portuguese Film Academy and a nomination for the César from the French Film Academy. With a distinct artistic perspective, she constructs universes that reimagine the real, imparting them a poetic and surreal outlook that expands our perception. After finishing her master's degree at the Royal College of Art, as a Gulbenkian fellow, she worked on several genres. Nowadays, she splits her time between being a film director and an art director. The two short films she co-directed, "Amélia & Duarte," and "Between the Shadows," combine animation with real-world visuals and won awards both locally and internationally. She's a member of both the Portuguese Film Academy and the American Film Academy - Oscars. “Alma” has won several awards, and recently the film “O Casaco Rosa”, based on a fascist police inspector, was released, as was "Palma”, a story about mourning with surreal visuals.

Thanasis Neofotistos is a Film Director, Writer & Architect from Greece. Member of European Film Academy, Berlinale Talents alumnus and Head Programmer of Student Int’l Competition of Drama Int. Short Film Festival. But most importantly, member of the LGBTQI+ community. His short film, “Patision Avenue” (2018), premiered at 75th Venice FF, and won 3 awards at 41st Clermont-Ferrand 2019. “Route-3”, world-premiered at 44th Toronto IFF and then again in 42nd Clermont-Ferrand. Greek School Prayer (2014) was his successful thesis (best Greek Short Film of 2014), and Sparkling Candles (2019) is his LGBTQI+ super cute queer short film that premiered at the legendary 43rd Frameline IFF. He is now in the financing stage of his debut feature film, which he envisions as his personal coming-of-age Greek tragedy; “The Boy With The Light-Blue Eyes” (aka Peter And The Wolf), the film got the main GFC, ERT & Media funding and has been developed, amongst others, at First-Films-First, MFI, Sarajevo. His next feature film project, Wild Boars, is developing through Torino Film Lab & MFI.

Experimental, Balkan & In ALBANIAn Jury

Hazir Sh. Haziri is a professor at the Faculty of Arts, where he teaches the courses “Acting”, “Production” and “Acting in Front of the Camera” in the Department of Dramatic Arts. He graduated in Acting at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Prishtina, and completed his doctoral studies in Art History, in the field of Cinematography-Acting. Prof. Haziri also attended studies and scientific research at the Institute of Film Sciences at the University of Zurich. He is a film and theater actor, screenwriter and producer, with many roles in feature films and theater performances. Throughout his artistic career, he has been part of international juries in both film and theater festivals. He was a member of the leading council of the Cinematographic Center and a member of the leading board of the Union of Film Artists of Kosovo. He has been part of international humanitarian projects at the Inswiss Institute in Zurich, where he has contributed to projects applied in Switzerland, Peru, Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, etc. He is currently the Dean of the Faculty of Arts at University of Prishtina.

Sofia Georgovassili is an awarded actress and film director. Her journey into the world of filmmaking stemmed from her background in acting, where she developed an understanding of character dynamics and narrative arc. “Preparation”, her first short film, premiered in Toronto IFF 2017 and was screened at numerous festivals worldwide. Her last short film, “Memoir of a Veering Storm” premiered in the 72nd Berlinale, receiving critical acclaim for its raw honesty and touching portrayal of adolescence and earning numerous awards along the way. “Mignon”, her debut feature, initially developed at the Torino Scriptwriter’s Lab in 2018, won the ARTEkino international prize and is a Cinereach grantee. Later was part of the Screenwriting and Directing Lab, Oxbelly, which operates under the artistic direction of Athina Rachel Tsangari and was advised by Willem Dafoe. Exploration of the human condition and intimate portrayal of coming-of-age narratives are at the heart of her topics. Drawing inspiration from her own life experiences and observations of the world around her, Sofia's directorial vision is characterised by its depth, authenticity, and emotional resonance.

Rouzbeh Rashidi (born in Tehran in 1980) is an Iranian-Irish filmmaker. He has been making films since 2000, when he founded the Experimental Film Society in Tehran. Rashidi's artistic vision defies traditional filmmaking, challenging traditional storytelling norms and embracing a unique approach to Cinema. His films are a harmonious blend of visual and auditory elements, creating a poetic experience for the audience. Rather than following conventional scripts, Rashidi delves into the realm of experimentation, using unconventional screenplays and texts. For him, creating moving images is not just about conveying a story but about embarking on a journey of exploration and self-expression. His work is deeply engaged with film history and primarily concerned with mysticism, philosophy, esotericism, cosmology, phenomenology, and hauntology. The films are wildly experimental and often surrealist, magical realist, and mysterious and have been associated with the Remodernist movement. They are unified by his oneiric imagination, idiosyncratic working methods, and the dreamlike experience of watching them.

Panorama Jury

Elma Doresi is a distinguished theater director, born in Tirana. She graduated from the Academy of Arts in 2009, in Theater Directing. Since 2010, she has directed numerous successful productions at the National Theater, Metropol Theater and Experimental Theater of Tirana, as well as in other cities in Albania and Kosovo. Some of her notable works are "Carnivals of Korça", "Taming of the Shrew", “14-year-old Groom" and "Three Minds at Auction". Doresi’s contributions to the theater have earned her about 20 national and international awards, such as “New Theatrical Reality”, “Best Director”, “Best Show”, distinguishing her as a prominent figure in the field. Early in her career, she gained recognition through productions as "Let’s Have Sex" (2010) and "Women in Parliament" (2011). Also, she has represented Albanian theater on international stages, in festivals in Vienna, Romania and China. Especially, her production of "Taming of the Shrew" made history by being performed in two international festivals, in Xi'an and Fuzhou. She has actively contributed to the theater community by serving as a jury for various theater festivals in Albania and Kosovo.

Jonid Jorgji was born in Tirana in 1986. He studied Film and Politics. From March 2022 he leads the Agency of Creative Industries in the Municipality of Tirana. Part of this Agency is also Tirana Film Office. From 2009 he is the President of Young Albanian Filmmakers Association. His main focus was helping young artists, developing and implementing their projects. In the last ten years he has been very active working on cultural, social, educational policies in Albania. In 2016 Jorgji founded his own company, EJF Production, an audiovisual production and distribution company. He has produced and directed with his company many films, documentaries, commercials and electoral campaign. He worked in media for more than 10 years. Some of his films are “The Sweet Dealer” - Web series 2020, ”The Lions Heading Venice” - Feature movie 2019, “A Circus Story” 360° VR - The first VR 360 movie in Albania.

Jonida Koçi is a film director from Tirana, Albania. She studied Film and Television Directing, at the University of Arts of Albania. She has worked in three short films and two documentaries as director and scriptwriter. Some of her works are "Personal Tirana" 2019 (Documentary), "In my Neighborhood" 2020 (Short), "Tea and Kejsi" 2022 (Short), "Four Seasons" 2023 (Short) and "Love in Three Times" 2024 (Documentary). Also, in addition to her film activity, since 2021, Jonida has become part of the Center for Openness and Dialogue at the Prime Minister’s Office, in the Dialogue and Multimedia Sector, where she develops the activity "Forumoteka". This activity consists of screenings of Albanian films followed by a discussion with the directors themselves and the present audience.

Genci Kojdheli is the General Director of Integration, Strategic Planning and Economic Development at the Municipality of Tirana. He has been with the Municipality since November 2015, working on main infrastructural projects, policy design, integration and EU projects, and was the leader of the teams that led Tirana towards the European Youth Capital 2022, European City of Sports 2023 and Mediterranean Capital of Culture and Dialogue 2025 awards. Prior engagements with public administration include executive positions within the Ministry of Social Welfare and Youth and the Ministry of Interior, while he has also worked with international organizations such as World Vision, the UNDP, and the OSCE. Kojdheli holds a BA in Law and an MA in International Law and Human Rights, while he has had over 10 years of lecturing experiences in various public and private universities in Tirana, in academic subjects including international human rights, comparative international law, international relations, roman law, history of institutions, etc.

Screenplay ContesTIFF Jury

Adam Selo is a director and producer, based in Bologna. In 2004 he founded his independent production company, Elenfant Film. His work of distributing his films in festivals, led him to the founding of Elenfant Distribution, a distribution team that deals with the distribution and sale of national and international short films. Later, he founded with the director Olga Torrico the production company Sayonara Film, that produces documentaries, short films, animations and follows the road of the distribution. Between the shorted produced by his company there is Gas Station, by Olga Torrico, awarded in Venice in 2020 at International critics Week. The last productions are After the Bridge, by Davide Rizzo and Marzia Toscano, premiered at Hot Docs International Film Festival, Toronto and Casablanca, by Adriano Valerio, a French/Italian Co-Production, recently premiered in Venice, at Giornate degli Autori 2023.

Nominated twice for the Sophia Awards of the Portuguese Film Academy, Bruno Carnide is an independent portuguese director and founding director of Leiria Film Fest – International Short Film Festival. Carnide directed several fiction, animation and documentary short films, which won dozens awards and have been exhibited in hundreds film festivals around the world, including Oscar Qualifying Festivals. He is curator at Museum of the Moving Image, in Portugal, and also a lecturer in the field of cinema at Polytechnic of Leiria and Instituto Superior Miguel Torga (Portugal). As a freelancer, Bruno Carnide has directed hundreds of corporate and commercial videos for companies such as Google, Volkswagen, Ford, MTV, Nickelodeon, RTP or Schweppes. He is occasionally a jury member at International Film Festivals.

Born in Tirana, Albania. He is a graduate of Albanian Economic University and University of Law. President of the "Albanian Producers and Filmmakers Association" Member of European Film Academy In 2011 he was selected for "Producers On The Move" in Cannes Film Festival, by European Film Promotion He is Producer in "On Film Production" movies company. He produced: "AFTER DARK" (2025) by Erenik Beqiri ", "Hatixhe & Shaban" (2025) by Visar Morina, "The Troubleshooters" (2025)by Nico Zavelberg, "Luna Park" (2024) by Florenc Papas "SIRIN" (2023) by Senad Sahmanovic "RISE&FALL OF COMRADE ZYLO" (2022) by Fatmir Koci "Gjirokastra" (2020) by Yuriy Arabov& Aleksandr Sokurov "My Lake" (2019) by Gjergj Xhuvani "Zana" (2019) by Antoneta Kastrati Other movies: "Man of The House" by Andamion Murataj, "Alarm für Cobra" by Nico Zavelberg , "Kanun" by Jérémie Guez , "The Fine Line" By Tuna Kaptan ,"Distant Angels" by Gjergj Xhuvani, "Amsterdam Express" by Fatmir Koci, "Amaneti" by Namik Ajazi, "The Albanien" by Johannes Naber, TV movie "In search of !" by Gjergj Xhuvani, "Komuna e Parisit" by Altin Basha "Honey Moons " by Goran Paskaljevic ,"Alive" by Artan Minarolli, "Lenin and us " by Saimir Kumbaro Has also produced more than 10 documentary series (around 50 episodes) and 4 TV series (with 10 episodes each) and more than 45 shorts movies.

JURY

Feature & PerspecTIFF Jury

Tonia
Mishiali

Goce
Cvetanovski

Anja Dihrberg
Siebler

Documentary Jury

Ardit
Sadiku

Otilia
Babara

Goran
Gocić

Short Films Jury (Oscar® & European Film Awards Qualifying)

Hu
Wei

Mónica
Santos

Thanasis
Neofotistos

Experimental, Balkan & In ALBANIAn Jury

Hazir
Sh. Haziri

Sofia
Georgovassili

Rouzbeh
Rashidi

Panorama Jury

Elma
Doresi

Jonid
Jorgji

Jonida
Koçi

Genci
Kojdheli

Screenplay ContesTIFF Jury

Adam
Selo

Bruno
Carnide

Dritan
Huqi

JURY

Feature & PerspecTIFF Jury

Tonia Mishiali

GoceCvetanovski

Anja Dihrberg Siebler

Documentary Jury

Ardit Sadiku

Otilia Babara

Goran Gocić

Short Films Jury (Oscar® & European Film Awards Qualifying)

Hu Wei

Mónica Santos

Thanasis Neofotistos

Experimental, Balkan & In ALBANIAn Jury

Hazir Sh. Haziri

Sofia Georgovassili

Rouzbeh Rashidi

Panorama Jury

Elma Doresi

Jonid Jorgji

Jonida Koçi

Genci Kojdheli

Screenplay ContesTIFF Jury

Adam Selo

Bruno Carnide

Dritan Huqi

Tonia
Mishiali

Goce
Cvetanovski

Anja Dihrberg
Siebler

Ardit
Sadiku

Otilia
Babara

Goran
Gocić

Hu
Wei

Mónica
Santos

Thanasis
Neofotistos

Hazir
Sh. Haziri

Sofia
Georgovassili

Rouzbeh
Rashidi

Elma
Doresi

Jonid
Jorgji

Jonida
Koçi

Genci
Kojdheli

Adam
Selo

Bruno
Carnide

Dritan
Huqi