Ukrainian film producer Julia Sinkevych has been appointed to head the international competition jury at French TV festival and industry event Series Mania, running in Lille from March 18-25.
“By proposing this presidency to Julia Sinkevych, who carries the colours of culture in a wounded country, we wish to show our support for the people of Ukraine and attest the importance of festivals in a world in crisis, as they create a place for people to come together to exchange ideas and celebrate our diversities,” said Series Mania president Rudolph Belmer.
As Sinkevych’s presence in Lille is not certain, French writer and director Marc Dugain, has also been appointed as vice-president of the jury.
In addition to being a producer of features such as 2019 documentary Heat Singers, Sinkevych is a co-founder of the Ukrainian Film Academy and a member of the European Film Academy. She was also a manager for several years of the Odesa International Film Festival, with which Series Mania has strong ties.
Series Mania general manager Laurence Herszberg said the decision to appoint Sinkevych also chimed with the way many series mirror their time through their stories, characters, and subjects.
“Series Mania has always been dedicated to reflecting this continuous and intimate dialogue between culture and society. This is why we feel it is essential today to turn our attention to the tragic situation that is shaking Ukraine and the entire world. We are honoured to have Julia serving as our jury president,” she said.
Over the weekend, Series Mania was one of the first European film and TV events to announce that it would not be hosting official Russian government organisations at its upcoming edition in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As a result it has disinvited film and TV promotional body Roskino and also dropped a showcase of new Russian series.
Sinkevych said she was “deeply moved and honoured” by the invitation.
”The festival celebrates the future forms of the audiovisual art, diversity of expression, while opening the minds of creators from all over the world who are closely connected to different audiences,” she said.
“At these times we know that culture is a powerful tool to stop the aggression and to bring to the world new talent. My country is part of that world cinema and now is fighting against all odds to demonstrate that it is the right of each human being to bring beauty, art, peace, and novelty to this world.”
Previously announced jury members include German actor Christian Berkel (Downfall, Valkyrie), Israeli actress Shira Haas (Unorthodox), Turkish creator and director Berkun Oya (Bir Baskadir) and French singer-songwriter and model Yseult.
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