Mark Haslam Award Winner

Nirilaurta: Let Us Eat directed by Malaya Qaunirq Chapman

Green Pitch Winner

From The Tall Grass by director C. Hudson Hwang

Best Canadian Feature Jury 

Jacob Crepeault

Jacob Crepeault is a Toronto-based film programmer who works for TIFF Cinematheque, curating retrospective screenings from prolific queer filmmakers such as Kenneth Anger, Derek Jarman, and Monika Treut. He is the founder and editor of the independent film zine GLEANING and programs for Desire in Motion, a recurring series at the Paradise Theatre exploring love, intimacy and relationships from a distinctly Canadian perspective. Past screening guests include Atom Egoyan, Bruce LaBruce, Helen Lee, Kevin McMahon, and Fawzia Mirza. Through the years, Jacob has programmed at several Read More

Best International Feature Film Jury

Julaina Paniagua

Juliana Paniagua is cultural producer, university lecturer, translator (English, Italian, French, German) and subtitle artist. She is the co-founder and former director of Festival de Cine Verde de Barichara – Festiver in Colombia and serves on the board of the international Green Film Network (GFN).

Lia Furxhi

Lia Furxhi graduated in History of Cinema at the University of Turin and worked as production manager for several independent films. She has held various roles in cultural intervention initiatives, collaborating in the organization of festivals and the creation of the Italian Short Film Read More

Sidney Jang

Sidney JANG majored in communication at Busan National University and graduated from Sejong University Graduate School of Performing Arts with a multimedia animation. She is a festival programmer and culture designer with over 20 years of experience at a number of cultural events Read More

Best Canadian Short Film Jury

Marina Hanna

Marina Hanna is a Toronto–based film curator and culture writer specializing in film and television. Her perspective is shaped by her work as a film programmer at Reelworld Film Festival (2019-2024), where she championed works by emerging and independent artists. She previously wrote a series of thematic what-to-stream articles that appeared in the Toronto Star. Currently, Marina works as an audience engagement consultant in podcasting, helping independent podcasters and brands connect with listeners. She also hosts panels and Q&As at film events and podcasting conferences.

Petra Holzer

Festival Director at Bozcaada International Ecological Documentary Festival (BIFED), Turkey.

Best International Short Film Jury

Mark Haslam Award Jury

Lesley Johnson

Planet in Focus Programmer

Lesley Johnson is a director, producer and programmer, based in Toronto and Yellowknife. She studied Film Production in York University’s MFA program, and holds degrees in wildlife and environmental sciences. Before becoming a filmmaker, she worked in community-based research in the Northwest Territories, and on studies chasing after the likes of terns and wolverines. She is the former director and programmer of the Yellowknife International Film Festival, and of a Cinema Politica chapter.

Simone Estrin

Planet in Focus Programmer

Simone Estrin is a Toronto-based programmer, curator, and filmmaker whose work looks at the experience of art from a social and environmental perspective. In addition to her role as Senior Programmer at Planet in Focus, she is an International Features Programmer at Hot Docs, and also contributes to film programming at TIFF Docs and Le Festival International du Film sur l’Art. Simone holds an MFA in Documentary Media Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University.