Screen International Unveils Future Leaders 2024: Rising Stars in Global Film Festival Programming
Screen International has once again embarked on showcasing the next generation of film industry leaders with its 2024 edition of "Future Leaders." This initiative focuses on film festival programmers and curators who are poised to become significant influencers in the cinema world. Having first highlighted this group in 2019, Screen International's selection reflects an industry that has not only survived the challenges of the pandemic but is now thriving with fresh talent.
Among the notable rising stars is Ava Cahen from France, who ascended to the role of artistic director of Critics’ Week at Cannes in 2021, showcasing the trajectory that Future Leaders alumni can follow. The selection spans various countries and festivals, illustrating the diverse and global nature of the film industry. Notable names include Elsa Charbit in France, Mouwafak Chourbagui in Egypt, and Rabih El-Khoury, who works between Lebanon and Germany.
This year’s "Future Leaders" were chosen through an extensive process involving consultations with industry heavyweights, including A-list artistic directors and veteran filmmakers. This rigorous selection process ensures that those featured are not only impacting their immediate spheres but are also potential leaders of A-list festivals in the future.
The impact of these curators and programmers extends beyond mere film selection; they influence cinematic trends and audience engagement, shaping the cultural discourse around film. Their work, characterized by a deep passion for cinema, continues to drive the evolution of film festivals, adapting to changing viewer habits and technological advancements.
As cinema continues to recover and adapt post-pandemic, the role of festival programmers and curators becomes increasingly crucial. They are the tastemakers setting the stage for the next wave of cinematic innovation, bridging the gap between traditional film appreciation and contemporary audience expectations.
- Elsa Charbit (France) / Selection Committee, Directors’ Fortnight
- Mouwafak Chourbagui (Egypt) / Programmer, El Gouna Film Festival; Head of Programme, Zawya Cinema
- Jérémy Cottin & Mathilde Chassagneux (France) / Programmer and Programming Project Manager, Institut Lumière and Festival Lumière
- Koen de Rooij (Netherlands) / Programmer, Feature Films and Short Films, International Film Festival Rotterdam
- Rabih El-Khoury (Lebanon & Germany) / Head of Programme, Alfilm, Arab Film Festival of Berlin; Curator, Safar Film Festival
- Kate Fitzpatrick (Australia) / Programmer, Melbourne International Film Festival
- Anja Fröhner (Switzerland) / Head of Programme and Guests, Zurich Film Festival
- Gu Pengyuan (China) / Head of Programme, FIRST International Film Festival and FIRST Fantastic Film Festival
- Viknesh Kobinathan (Singapore) / Film Programmer, Asian Film Archive
- Chris Kumar (UK) / Film Programmer and Programme Co-ordinator, Glasgow Film Festival
- Dorota Lech (Canada) / Lead Programmer, Discovery and International Programmer, Central, Eastern, Southern Europe, Turkey and Iran, Toronto International Film Festival
- Pony Ma (Taiwan) / Programmer, Taipei Film Festival
- Hind Mezaina (UAE) / Independent Programmer and Film Curator, CineMAS Film Festival at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Abu Dhabi
- Vanja Milena Munjin Paiva (Portugal) / Programmer at Valdivia International Film Festival and IndieLisboa; Pre-selector at Jeonju International Film Festival; Editor and Critic at Revista Aquilea
- Hanna Reifgerst (Germany) / Programmer for Young Audience, Lübeck Nordic Film Days
- KJ Relth-Miller (US) / Director of Film Programmes, Academy Museum
- Francis Román (US) / Senior Film and TV Festival Programming Manager, SXSW
- Pedro Emilio Segura Bernal (Mexico & Iceland) / Programmer, Ambulante, Black Canvas, Reykjavik International Film Festival
- Kimberley Sheehan (UK) / Film and Events Programmer, BFI Southbank
- Ana Souza (US) / Manager of Programming Department, Sundance Film Festival
- Paul Struthers (Australia) / Senior Programmer, Adelaide Film Festival; Associate Programmer, International Features, Tribeca; Curator, First Films; Consultant, Africa Film Fest Australia
- Carmen Thompson (UK) / Programming and Audience Manager, We Are Parable; Programming Consultant, Red Sea International Film Festival, Sheffield DocFest, Durban FilmMart
- Thong Kay Wee (Singapore) / Programme Director, Singapore International Film Festival
- Andrea Voges (South Africa) / Festival Manager and Head of Programming, Durban International Film Festival