The jury members for the 60th London BFI Film Festival, which runs from October 5–16 this year, have been revealed. The inclusive juries feature a number of women and people of color.
As Screen Daily reports, the Official Competition section will be presided over by “Chevalier” director Athina Rachel Tsangari, who won Best Film at last year’s fest. Other female jury members include “Belle” and “Concussion” actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw and “Suffragette” writer Abi Morgan. The section features Kelly Reichardt’s ensemble drama “Certain Women” and Mijke de Jong’s “Layla M,” as well as the controversial French drama “Elle,” starring Isabelle Huppert.
Morgan isn’t the only “Suffragette” representative at the festival this year. The film’s director, Sarah Gavron, will preside over the First Feature Competition jury, which includes producer Nira Park, among others. The program features Houda Benyamina’s Cannes hit “Divines” and Julia Ducournau’s “Raw,” a horror film that tackles female sexuality and cannibalism.
The Documentary Competition slate will be overseen by “Versus: The Life and Films Of Ken Loach” director Louise Osmond. Award-winning Yemeni-Scottish filmmaker Sara Ishaq (“Karama Has No Walls”) will serve as one of the jury members. Docs screening in the program include Eva Orner’s “Chasing Asylum,” Claire Simon’s “The Graduation,” and Alma Har’el’s “LOVETRUE.”
As Women and Hollywood previously reported, the festival will open with “A United Kingdom,” directed by Amma Asante (“Belle”). The film will make its European premiere on opening night at the Odeon Leicester Square, with Asante, and stars David Oyelowo (“Selma”) and Rosamund Pike (“Gone Girl”) in attendance.
Head here for the entire festival lineup and over to Screen Daily for the complete list of jurors.