FESTIVAL NATIONAL FEATURE FILM JURY

Zijah Sokolović (Sarajevo, 1950) is a Bosnian actor, director and educator, and one of the most recognizable theatre artists in Southeast Europe. He graduated in 1976 from the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo and began his career at Kamerni Teatar 55. He gained international recognition with the cult monodrama The Actor… is an Actor… is an Actor (1978), performed more than 1,600 times in over 25 countries.

Alongside his theatre work, he has appeared in several films, including Silent Gunpowder, Remake, and The Abandoned. He has also taught at the Anton Bruckner Private University in Linz and has been deeply involved in theatre education and youth projects. His international theatre initiative TheArto, focused on social dialogue and violence prevention, received a European Union award.

Sokolović has received more than 70 theatre and film awards, including the Golden Laurel of MESS and the Golden Arena in Pula. In 2012 he was appointed UNDP Goodwill Ambassador for Tolerance and Non-Violence.

Danilo Šerbedžija (1971, Zagreb) is a Croatian film director and screenwriter. He studied Philosophy and Classical Studies at the University of Zagreb between 1991 and 1999. He later continued his education in the United States, completing graduate studies at the School of Film at Ohio University (1999-2002).

He directed several acclaimed feature films, including 72 Days (2010), which he also co-wrote, the short film Walnut (Orah) (2015), part of the omnibus feature Zagrebačke priče, and the feature film The Liberation of Skopje (2015), which he co-directed and produced. His later work includes the feature film Tereza37 (2020), which gained significant international attention, and the biographical feature film Dražen (2024).

His films have been screened at numerous international festivals and have received many awards. His works have also been selected as Croatia’s official submission for the Academy Awards on two occasions, while The Liberation of Skopje was submitted as North Macedonia’s candidate for the Academy Awards.

Šerbedžija has been actively involved in the Croatian film industry and served three times as President of the Croatian Directors’ Guild (DHFR). He has also worked as Artistic Director of the production company Zagreb Film and is a member of the Executive Committee of AVACI (Association of Audio Visual Authors International Confederation).

Andamion Murataj is a screenwriter, director, and producer working between Albania and the United States. With a background in visual arts and extensive hands-on experience across various crew positions, Andamion is drawn to character-driven, culturally compelling stories with a visual language that reaches beyond borders.

Andamion co-wrote the feature film The Forgiveness of Blood with director Joshua Marston, earning the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2011. Since then, he has written several short films, and his feature directorial debut, Man of the House, premiered at the Sarajevo Film Festival in 2025.

In 2009, Andamion founded Lissus Media, an Albanian production company dedicated to bringing socially relevant stories from the margins of Balkan society to international audiences. The company has established solid partnerships with leading production houses worldwide, bridging the gap between regional storytelling and international distribution.

Beyond his creative work, Andamion is actively engaged in the professional development of the Balkan film industry. He is the founder and director of the Balkan Film Market and the Albascript Workshops, initiatives designed to foster collaboration and script development across borders. He frequently serves on international juries at festivals throughout Europe.

Andamion holds an MFA in Film and Electronic Media from American University in Washington, D.C.



Zafer Algöz is a prominent and highly respected actor in Turkish theatre, cinema, and television. He was born on August 30, 1961, in Kars, Türkiye. He graduated from the Theatre Department of Ankara State Conservatory and began his professional career at the Bursa State Theatre, where he worked for many years as a stage actor.

With a strong background in theatre, Algöz started his career on stage, performing in both classical and contemporary plays. His disciplined approach to acting and solid technical foundation enabled him to successfully transition into film and television.

Since the 1990s, he has appeared in numerous television series and films, gaining wide recognition for his strong character performances. Known for his versatility, he has taken part in a broad range of productions, reaching a large and diverse audience.

In cinema, he is particularly recognized for his roles in Kurtlar Vadisi Irak, Arif V 216, and Ali Baba ve 7 Cüceler, while on television he is widely known for his performance in Eşkıya Dünyaya Hükümdar Olmaz, among other productions.

Zafer Algöz has successfully balanced theatre, cinema, and television throughout his career, establishing himself as one of the leading character actors in Türkiye.

Selected Filmography

Film

  • Arif V 216 (2018)

  • Ali Baba ve 7 Cüceler (2015)

  • Kurtlar Vadisi Irak (2006)

  • A.R.O.G (2008)

Television (Selected)

  • Eşkıya Dünyaya Hükümdar Olmaz (2015–2021)

  • Behzat Ç. Bir Ankara Polisiyesi (2010–2013)

İpek Bilgin is one of the most respected and accomplished figures in Turkish theatre, cinema, and television. She was born in 1952 in Ankara, Türkiye. She graduated from the Theatre Department of Ankara State Conservatory and began her professional career at the State Theatres of Turkey, where she worked for many years as a stage actress.

With a strong foundation in theatre, Bilgin has performed in numerous classical and contemporary plays, contributing significantly to the development of theatrical arts in Türkiye. Known for her disciplined stage presence and profound character interpretation, she has distinguished herself particularly in dramatic roles.

Since the 1990s, she has also appeared in a wide range of film and television productions, gaining broader recognition. She became widely known to international audiences through her role in the television series Binbir Gece, which was broadcast in many countries.

Throughout her career, İpek Bilgin has taken part in both mainstream and auteur projects, representing the strong tradition of Turkish acting. With her refined performance style and extensive experience on both stage and screen, she continues to hold a distinguished position in national and international cinema and television.

Selected Filmography

Film

  • Mustang (2015)

  • Hacivat Karagöz Neden Öldürüldü? (2006)

  • Beyza'nın Kadınları (2006)

  • Karanlık Gece (2022)

Television (Selected)

  • Binbir Gece (2006–2009)

  • Kuzey Güney (2011–2013)

  • Masumlar Apartmanı (2020–2022)