Independent filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals — the visionaries behind every selection.
Every submission is reviewed by a rotating panel of industry professionals — chosen not for their credentials alone, but for their eye for storytelling that matters.
Our panel rotates each edition, ensuring fresh perspectives on every submission. Below is the panel for the January 2026 edition.
Founder of CineStar Studio and a passionate advocate for independent cinema. Believes a great festival is a labor of love where dreams come alive.
Focuses on narrative structure and emotional resonance. Has served on juries at major independent festivals across three continents.
Three decades of documentary work spanning archival investigations and observational portraiture. Champions truth-telling above technical polish.
Believes cinematography isn't about equipment — it's about vision. Looks for shots that carry meaning, not just aesthetic.
Programs experimental cinema for a major European archive. Champions boundary-pushing work — the stranger, the better.
Runs a program for first-time filmmakers and student directors. Fiercely committed to giving new voices their first real audience.
Judge names shown above are for illustrative purposes for the redesign. Real judges to be announced.
Every film is scored on four pillars. No single element dominates — great films tend to shine across all four.
Does the film have something to say? Is the story structured with intention? We look for narrative choices that surprise us, not formulas we've seen before.
Cinematography, sound design, editing, performances — the technical elements that turn an idea into a felt experience. We don't demand studio-level polish; we value intentionality.
Does the director have a point of view? Does this film feel like it could only have been made by this person? Distinct voices always rise above technically clean but generic work.
Does the film stay with us? Weeks after screening, does a scene, an image, or a line still echo? Impact is often the deciding factor between finalists.