MEET OUR 2025 OFFICIAL JURY
Each year, a selection of top industry professionals come together to form the Official Jury of Breaking Through The Lens. Our Jury serve as mentors and advisors to our finalist filmmakers.
We are currently assembling our 2025 Action Grant Jury. As we announce each Jury Member, their profiled will be featured below.
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DIANE KRUGER | Actress, Producer (she/her)
German born Diane Kruger has proven to be one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses, with an enviable career on both sides of the Atlantic. Her upcoming releases include David Cronenberg’s latest feature THE SHROUDS, in which she stars opposite Vincent Cassel and Guy Pearce. The film is expected to premiere at Cannes and feature in the spring film festival circuit, with a slated release date of September 2024. Pablo Aguero’s SAINT EXUPERY for Studio Canal in which Diane stars again with Vincent Cassel, and Louis Garrel, is also expected to have a late 2024 release. THE AMERICAN, directed by James Napier Robertson, offers a deep dive into the athletic trajectory of Joy Womack (Talia Ryder), one of only a handful of foreigners, and only two American women, ever accepted into Russia’s elite and infamously tough Bolshoi Ballet, where Kruger’s Tatiyana Volkova is a masterful tutor. The film is slated to be released in the US by Vertical on May 17.
In 2023, Kruger starred alongside Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange in noir thriller MARLOWE directed by Academy Award winner Neil Jordan. The film premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival and was released by Open Road on February 15, 2023. She also starred in VISIONS, a French psychological thriller directed by Yann Gozlan, alongside Matthieu Kassovitz which was released on September 6 in France.
In 2022, director Simon Kinberg’s spy thriller, THE 355, starred Kruger as a kick-ass undercover agent alongside Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong’o, Fan Bingbing, and Penelope Cruz. She also starred and served as executive producer for AJ Edwards’ FIRST LOVE, and appeared in Neil LaBute’s neo-noir film OUT OF THE BLUE alongside Ray Nicholson. TV saw Kruger excel in The Roku Channel drama series SWIMMING WITH SHARKS alongside Kiernan Shipka.
In 2019 THE OPERATIVE, an espionage-thriller, from director Yuval Adler in which Kruger stars with Martin Freeman had its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival, and was acquired by Vertical Entertainment and released on August 2. Earlier that year, she was seen in Universal Pics’ JT LEROY alongside Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern and Robert Zemeckis’ WELCOME TO MARWEN with Steve Carrell.
One of Kruger’s most notable roles to date is her multi award-winning role in the German film IN THE FADE, directed by Fatih Akin. The film premiered at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival where Kruger was awarded Best Actress for her performance. Among other accolades, IN THE FADE was awarded Best Foreign Film at the Golden Globe Awards and Critic’s Choice Movie Awards.
Also in 2017, she starred in the French thriller film TOUT NOUS SEPARE opposite Catherine Deneuve where a mother and daughter’s lives are upended by a pair of street thugs. In 2016, she starred opposite Bryan Cranston in THE INFILTRATOR as an undercover agent working to infiltrate the money-laundering underworld of drug lord Pablo Escobar in a true story about the life of Robert Mazur in the 1980’s. 2015, saw DISORDER opposite Matthias Schoenaerts, and the Fabienne Berthaud directed SKY with Norman Reedus. Additionally, Kruger featured in FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS with Russell Crowe, Aaron Paul and Amanda Seyfried and starred opposite Jason Clarke in the 2014 Terrence Malick-produced film THE BETTER ANGELS, which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and Berlin Film Festival.
One of Kruger’s most memorable roles is Bridget von Hammersmark in Quentin Tarantino's critically acclaimed hit INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, opposite Brad Pitt, Christoph Waltz, Michael Fassbender and Mike Myers. The film premiered at Cannes Film Festival in 2009, then reached number one at the box office, grossing over $300 million worldwide. For her performance, Kruger earned a Screen Actors Guild Award® nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role, and won the SAG Award® as part of the ensemble cast. Born in Germany, Kruger was first launched to international fame as the infamous Helen in Wolfgang Petersen’s TROY, opposite Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom. That same year, she starred with Josh Hartnett in Paul McGuigan’s Wicker Park .She has since starred in numerous award winning features both in the U.S. and Europe. In addition to the above, the list includes Oscar®-nominated French film JOYEUX NOEL; COPYING BEETHOVEN with Ed Harris; GOODBYE BAFANA, Bille August’s ode to Nelson Mandela, with Joseph Fiennes; POUR ELLE (‘ANYTHING FOR HER’), from director Fred Cavayé. Sci-Fi thriller THE HOST, alongside Saoirse Ronan, her dual role in MR NOBODY, with Jared Leto, Sarah Polley and Rhys Ifans, and Baltasar Kormakur’s harrowing indie feature about organ trafficking INHALE also starring Sam Shepherd, Dermot Mulroney and Patricia Arquette. Kruger also starred opposite Djimon Hounsou in the French-filmed action adventure SPECIAL FORCES from director Stephane Rybojad and the high grossing Jerry Bruckheimer NATIONAL TREASURE films opposite Nicolas Cage. She received rave reviews as Marie Antoinette in Benoît Jacquot’s film FAREWELL, MY QUEEN with Lea Seydoux, which opened the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival.
Having served as a Producer on some of her past work, Kruger now has an impressive slate of her own production projects in active development. Additionally, Kruger is an ambassador for The Global Fund and a strong supporter of amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research), UNICEF and Stand Up To Cancer. She currently resides in New York and released her first children’s book, A NAME FROM THE SKY in 2022.
JASPER VAN HECKE | Global Acquisitions & Production, Universal Pictures Content Group, Universal Filmed Entertainment Group (he/him)
Jasper van Hecke is Senior Vice President, Global Acquisitions & Production at Universal Pictures Content Group based in London. Key titles he’s been involved in include Moonage Daydream, Pearl, Royal Hotel, Apollo 11, Jay & Silent Bob: Reboot, The Defiant Ones, Three Identical Strangers, Mandy and First Reformed. Prior to Universal, Jasper was Head of Development & Production at Stephen Fry’s company Sprout Pictures. He co-founded Corrino Media Group and started his career directing TV-commercials for brands like Coca Cola & Axe.
Van Hecke studied Mass Communication at Emerson College in Boston and graduated from the National Film & Television School in Amsterdam. He serves on the board of the Netherlands Film Fund since 2022, as well as serving as a member of the British Academy of Film & Television and the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
JESSAMINE BURGUM | CEO, Pinky Promise Films (she/her)
Jessamine Burgum, CEO of Pinky Promise, founded her production company in 2021 with a mission of impacting the diversity of films and the filmmakers receiving financing. Pinky Promise has been able to achieve this through a unique venture capital-style financing model. Jessamine has raised two funds, totalling in $26 mm, and leads an all women team that invests in the development and production of diverse and impactful films. Pinky Promise's debut feature, "Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul," premiered at Sundance in 2022 and was distributed by Monkey Paw and Focus Features. Since then, Pinky Promise has built upon that success by premiering films at Sundance, SXSW, and Tribeca. Most recently, Jessamine is proud to act as both financier and executive producer of Bird, Andrea Arnold’s latest film competing this year at the Cannes Film Festival. Additionally, she and the Pinky Promise team developed and produced Scarlett Johansson’s upcoming directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, starring Oscar nominee June Squibb and Oscar winner Chiwetel Ejiofor. With her classical training from the Guthrie Theatre BFA Actor Training Program and Shakespeare’s Globe Education Program, she continues to push the boundaries of storytelling in film.
JULKA VILLA | Global Head of Marketing, Campari Group (she/her)
With over twenty years of experience in the global alcoholic beverage industry, Villa is a passionate and strategic marketing leader who drives growth and innovation for Campari Group and its portfolio of iconic brands. As the Group Global Head of Marketing, Villa is responsible for the overall marketing strategy, vision, and execution for Campari Group's entire portfolio of brands, including Campari, Aperol, SKYY, Wild Turkey, Grand Marnier, Appleton Estate, Espolon and many others. Villa leads a team of talented and dedicated marketing professionals who work together to deliver impactful and effective campaigns, activations, and innovations that drive brand awareness, loyalty, and profitability.
In this role, Villa applies her expertise and passion for the premium and luxury spirits segments and collaborates with internal and external partners to create and execute bespoke strategies and initiatives that showcase the quality, craftsmanship, and heritage of these exceptional products.
APRIL SHIH | Emmy-nominated, WGA Award-winning writer/producer (she/her)
April Shih is an Emmy-nominated, WGA Award-winning writer/producer and filmmaker with several series in development at FX, WBTV, and Paramount TV Studios. She has written for FX’s critically acclaimed comedy YOU’RE THE WORST, MRS. AMERICA (starring Cate Blanchett), and Amazon’s UNDONE, and served as Supervising Producer for Season 2 of DAVE. April was most recently the co-executive producer on the Emmy-nominated Season 5 of FARGO. April has been a fellow of the Sundance Episodic Story Lab, CAPE New Writers Fellowship, CBS Writers Mentoring Program, and the inaugural Film Independent Episodic Lab.
April has spent the last three years under an overall deal at FX creating, developing, and producing meaningful, soul-oriented content under her production banner DIVERSITY HIRE LTD with her producing partner Jen Goyne Blake. The company’s first feature film, JOYLAND, was an official selection for the 2022 Cannes Film Festival where it won the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize. Joyland had its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, won the Indie Spirit Award for Best International Film and was shortlisted for the 2023 Oscars. Their next international feature, IT'S A SAD AND BEAUTIFUL WORLD, is currently in post-production and slated to be released in 2025.
ALEXA JAGO | Producer, Financier, Philanthropist, Board of BAFTA North America (she/her)
Alexa Jago, a distinguished figure in British cinema, is renowned as a film producer, financier, actor, and philanthropist, dividing her time between London and Los Angeles. Throughout her career, she has championed a diverse and inclusive range of independent films, actively promoting gender parity in the industry. Her dedication to empowering women is evident in her support for initiatives fostering gender equality and providing opportunities for women both behind and in front of the camera. Alexa’s multifaceted career underscores her deep-seated passion for the arts, her philanthropic endeavors, and her unwavering commitment to elevating the standards of the film industry, as evidenced by her various roles within BAFTA. As an actor, Alexa has appeared in over 18 feature films and more than 50 theatre productions.
As a film producer, Alexa notably Executive Produced the critically acclaimed British feature film “Kilo Two Bravo” – also known as “Kajaki: The True Story” – which garnered prestigious accolades including a BAFTA, and a BIFA Award for Best Producer of the Year. Alexa’s influence extends beyond acting and production; she structured a $500MM+ US Studio slate deal through Genesis Media Capital, focusing on US Studio film franchises. In addition to her significant contributions to the entertainment industry, she is deeply committed to philanthropy, co-founding “Caring for Courage” for the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and actively participating in fundraising efforts for the SMILE Appeal for the Royal Academy of Gynaecologists & Obstetricians International Appeal.
Recognized for her expertise and dedication, Alexa holds multiple voluntary positions within BAFTA, including currently serving on the Board of BAFTA North America and the BAFTA UK Film Committee, elected by the membership. She previously served as co-chair of the BAFTA LA Film Committee. Additionally, Alexa sits on the Advisory Board of the Oscar-qualifying Hollyshorts Film Festival, further solidifying her impact and influence within the film community. Her diverse career trajectory underscores her enduring commitment to the arts, philanthropy, and the advancement of industry standards.
NADIA FALL | Director (BRIDES), 2023 BTTL Action Grant Winner (she/her)
Nadia is the new Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive of the Young Vic Theatre. Nadia has been Artistic Director of Stratford East since 2017 and was previously Associate at the National Theatre from 2015 to 2018. Her debut feature film BRIDES won the BTTL 2023 Action Grant and is currently in post production. The project was chosen for the Great8 platform of British films at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. At Stratford East, her programming highlights include a hit revival of Equus which transferred to the West End in her first season, August Wilson’s King Hedley II starring Sir Lenny Henry which she also directed, and new collaborations including a large-scale production of Noye's Fludde with English National Opera, bringing together 300 young people and which received the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera. As Associate at the National Theatre, she wrote and directed the critically acclaimed HOME, and directed further productions including Chewing Gum Dreams written and performed by Michaela Coel, The Suicide, Our Country’s Good and DARA amongst others. She returned to the National in 2019 to direct Inua Ellams’ adaptation of Three Sisters. As Sky Arts Ambassador for Theatre, Nadia created the inaugural Sky Arts Artistic Associates Bursary. Her TV credits also include Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads: The Outside Dog for BBC One and NO MASKS for Sky Arts. She was named in Screen International’s 2023 Screen Stars of Tomorrow, spotlighting filmmakers in the UK and Ireland. BRIDES was backed by BFI and Ffilm Cymru Wales, the film is a UK / Italian co-production helmed by Oscar-nominated producer Nicky Bentham, and stars newcomer Ebada Hassan and Safiyya Ingar (Layla, The Witcher). Worldwide sales are through Bankside Films.
NICKY BENTHAM | Producer (BRIDES), 2023 BTTL Action Grant Winner (she/her)
Nicky Bentham is an Oscar-nominated film producer and the founder of London based production company Neon Films.
The company develops and produces untold or unheard stories from the margins, bringing them into the mainstream spotlight for international audiences. Currently in post-production is Nadia Fall’s debut Brides, which won the 2023 BTTL Action Grant. The film is a UK/Italian co-production that filming in Wales, Turkey and Italy.
In 2023, Bentham produced the thriller Locked In with Gaumont UK and Netflix, directed by Nour Wazzi, which reached the global Number One. She was Oscar nominated in 2024 for the short film The After, directed by photographer Misan Harriman, starring David Oyelowo and financed by Netflix.
Previous producing credits include The Duke, starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren and directed by Roger Michell, and the multi-award winning Moon. Nicky is co-chair of Pact’s Film Producers' Group. She is on the ScreenSkills Film Skills Council, is a full voting member of BAFTA and co-founder of the non-profit organisation Raising Films.