2019

Ahmed Fawzi Saleh (1981, Egypt) obtained a degree in History from Suez Canal University in Egypt. He then pursued his studies in screenwriting at the High Cinema Institute in Egypt in 2009. He took part in several documentaries as a scriptwriter and researcher. His short documentary LIVING SKIN (2011) was screened in many international film festivals. His feature film, POISONOUS ROSES, premiered at IFFR 2018.

Nathan Ambrosioni was born in the south of France in 1999. His filmmaking career began before he was 16 with two horror films he worked on as volunteer during school holidays. These two “vacation projects” ended up getting selected in festivals including BIFFF, Screamfest, Fantasia, Sitges, BAFICI, CIFF, FrightFest, Sotto18, and others. Nathan soon developed a deeper interest in fiction and wrote and directed the short film, CE QUI NOUS RESTE (2016), which got selected at the Calgary International Film Festival and San Francisco IFF. He then directed JOE and THE WIND IN YOUR HAIR.

Ladj Ly, a native of Montfermeil, is a filmmaker best known for his attention-grabbing web documentaries on the realities of social and political life. He began his career as an actor, and was a member of the artist collective Kourtrajmé before he went on to direct short films. After the 2005 Paris riots, Ladj was triggered by the death of two youths, Zyed Benna and Bouna Traoré, who were hiding in an electricity substation, and thus filmed 365 DAYS IN CLICHY-MONTFERMEIL (2007). Ladj then directed 365 DAYS IN MALI (2014) and MARAKANIIN MALI (2016).

Elia Suleiman (born in Nazareth) is a celebrated filmmaker who won numerous prizes since the beginning of his career, starting with his two first short films, INTRODUCTION TO THE END OF AN ARGUMENT and HOMAGE BY ASSASSINATION. In 1994, he established the Cinema and Media department at Birzeit University under the European Commission. His feature debut, CHRONICLE OF A DISAPPEARANCE, was awarded Best Film at the 1996 Venice Film Festival.

Robert Budina works as an independent film producer and director. He graduated from the Theatre Directing department in the Academy of Arts and has directed and written several theater plays. Together with Sabina Kodra he formed the ERAFILM Production Company in 2001. Robert has filled numerous roles as executive producer and production supervisor in various international coproductions. He made his short film, LULEBORE in 2005.