Krzysztof ZANUSSI

Born in Warsaw in 1939, a physics graduate from the University of Warsaw, Krzysztof Zanussi began studying film at the Lodz Film School in 1960 and made his first film as a member of the amateur film club at Warsaw University. Upon graduating from Lodz in 1966, he’s been actively involved in various forms of films as both director and screenwriter. He received Golden Lion’s Award at Venice in 1984 with A Year of the Quiet Sun and Best Picture Award in this year’s Moscow Film Festival with Life as a Fatal Sexually Transmitted Disease. Zanussi became the chairman of EFRA in 1990 and is currently a professor at Silesian University in Katowice.

Michel CLIMENT

Born in 1938, Michel Ciment is a professor of American Studies at the University of Paris 7 in addition to being a member on the editorial board of film magazine, Positif, and producer and film critic Radio France’s “France Culture.” He has written numerous essays on directors such as Stanley Kubrick and Elia Kazan, and is also an active film director. He also has served as a juror in many influential film festivals, including Cannes, Berlin and Venice.

Buddhadeb DASGUPTA

Buddhadeb Dasgupta was born in 1945. Originally a professor of Economics, Dasgupta became a film director in 1976, combining his poetry skills with his passion in filmmaking. His films have received numerous international awards, and he is now recognized as one of India’s most influential film directors. His work, The Red Door (1996) was screened at the 2nd PIFF. His films include The Return (1986), The Tiger Man (1989), Their Story (1992), and The Shelter of the Wings (1993).

JIANG Wen

A prolific director in addition to being an accomplished actor, Jiang Wen was born in 1963 and graduated from the Central Drama Academy. He was assigned to the China Youth Theatre as an actor. He’s been a prolific actor starring in such influential films as Hibiscus Town (1986), Red Sorghum (1987), and Black Snow (1989) gaining both domestic and international fame. With his directorial debut, In the Heat of the Sun (1994), he received spotlight as one of China’s most important directors, and received Best Jury Award at the 53rd Cannes with his second feature, Devils on the Doorstep (2000).

KANG Soo-Yeon

Born in 1966, Kang began her film career as a child actress and is now the premier actress in Korea. She received Best Actress Award at Venice and Nantes in 1986 with her performance in Sibaji and at Moscow with Aje Aje Bara Aje in 1988. She was the juror at the Tokyo International Film Festival in 1989 as well. Her recent films include Girls’ Night Out (1998) and Rainbow Trout (1999).