They are the ones who will select the best films from the International Feature Competition and name the Grand Prix winner, which will get on a fast-track to an Oscar nomination.
These three will not have an easy task. The jury of the International Competition of the 17th edition of Animator will watch more than 60 films from around the world and choose the best ones. Among those rewarded will be the most important one: the Grand Prix winner, who will secure their place on the Oscar nomination shortlist!
Meet the Jury of the International Competition:
EBELE OKOYE - Africa’s pioneering female animator, Ebele Okoye, boasts over 20 years of experience as an animation entrepreneur, changemaker, and equity advocate. Recognised globally, she’s a two-time laureate of the Africa Movie Academy Award. Her accolades extend to institutions like The DEFA Foundation, Focus Features and Robert Bosch Foundation along with honours from the Californioa State Legislature, United States Congress and Amnesty international. With a portfolio spanning international co-productions, jury work, and educational endeavours, including animation tutelage at the Bauhaus University, Weimar, Germany, Okoye has left an indelible mark on the animation landscape. She has founded several animation training initiatives including “AniJolly Girls’ Training,” and is the CEO of the EdTech brand SpunkyToonz, promoting healthy, social, and eco-friendly values in young minds
MARK TAYNTON - Head of Adult Swim for EMEA at Warner Bros Discovery, a leading global media and entertainment company. Adult Swim is a leader in adult animation and is the home of global smash hit “Rick and Morty”, the Emmy-Award winning “Genndy Tartakovsky's Primal”, “Royal Crackers”, “Smiling Friends” and many more. South Africa born, but London based, Mark leads all aspects of the fast-growing Adult Swim brand, with a special focus on growing relationships and collaboration opportunities with European content creators.
MAGDALENA OSIŃSKA - has directed stop-motion, CGI, 2D and live-action commercials including Wallace & Gromit’s “The Great Sofa Caper” and “Share the Orange.” Osinska directed development of the children’s series Joyets and has also directed films including Spirits of the Piano and Zbigniev’s Cupboard. A graduate of the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield, UK, as well as the Polish Film School in Lodz and Art College in Warsaw, Osinska is currently developing two feature films Ro and Jasia.
Magdalena Osinska is an award-winning director who’s most recently directed Lucas Film’s eagerly anticipated second instalment of ‘Star Wars: Visions’ series, filmed at Aardman HQ in Bristol. Launched May 4th, 2023, on Disney+, the animated film is titled ‘I Am Your Mother’.
You can find the full list of films that will participate in the International Short Film Competition here 👈
