The Series Mania festival, which will take place from March 18 to 25 in Lille, has entrusted the presidency of the jury of its international competition to a Ukrainian producer, Julia Sinkevych.
A symbolic choice motivated by the war in his country, organizers said on Wednesday.
Co-founder of the Ukrainian Film Academy and member of the European Film Academy, this documentary producer
(Heat Singers)
was responsible for several years for one of the most important film festivals in Eastern Europe: the Festival Odessa Film International, of which Series Mania has long been a partner.
The one that is not directly linked to the world of series is currently developing two feature films:
Lucky girl
by Marysia Nikitiuk and the historical drama
Lesia
by Nana Janelidze.
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The appointment of Julia Sinkevych comes fifteen days after the press conference detailing the program of the event.
The difficulty of convincing American, English and Asian talent to travel explains this discrepancy.
Series Mania programmer Laurence Herszberg had to compose juries with a marked French-speaking tropism.
Cécile de France and singer Yseult sit in that of the international competition alongside the Israeli revelation of
Unorthodox
Shira Haas.
Recruit the president to follow in the footsteps of Damon Lindelof (
Lost, The Leftovers
) or Hagai Levi
(In Therapy, Our Boys)
turned out to be very tricky.
In mid-February, the founder of the festival had obtained a "yes in principle" from a lucky winner.
But he still had to talk to his agent before confirming.
It is necessary to believe that the discussions did not succeed.
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“Testifying the role of festivals in a world in crisis”
“By proposing this presidency to Julia Sinkevych, who carries high the colors of culture in a bruised country, we wish to bear witness to the role of festivals in a world in crisis”
, underlines Series Mania.
“His presence in Lille not being guaranteed, we asked Marc Dugain, a great French writer and director, to ensure the vice-presidency of his jury”
.
“We have always said that the series are the mirror of an era and resonate through their stories, their characters, their subjects.
This is why it seems essential to us today to turn our gaze to the dramatic situation which is shaking Ukraine and the whole world”
, explained the organizers.
Quoted in the press release, Julia Sinkevych said she was
"moved and honored".
“Culture is a powerful tool to stop aggression and bring new talent to the world.
My country is an integral part of world cinema and is currently fighting with all its might to demonstrate that it is the right of every human being to bring beauty, art, peace and novelty to this world
, ” said
she commented.