24/08/2023 - Vitaly Mansky, Bernadett Tuza-Ritter, Vanja Jambrović, Nermin Hamzagić and Mohamed Elmongy make up the diverse range of visionaries set to judge the myriad documentaries

l-r, top row first: jury members Vitaly Mansky, Bernadett Tuza-Ritter, Nermin Hamzagić, Vanja Jambrović and Mohamed Elmongy

As anticipation builds for the sixth Al Jazeera Balkans Documentary Film Festival (AJB DOC), the members of the international jury, a group of esteemed individuals who are set to bring their insightful perspectives to the event, have been revealed. The AJB DOC Film Festival, known for its thought-provoking themes and exceptional documentary films, has assembled a diverse and accomplished panel of jurors to assess the Competition programme and hand out the coveted AJB DOC Main Award. The jury comprises Russian director Vitaly Mansky, Hungarian filmmaker Bernadett Tuza-Ritter, Croatian producer Vanja Jambrović, Bosnian director Nermin Hamzagić and Moroccan producer Mohamed Elmongy.

(The article continues below - Commercial information)

Bernadett Tuza-Ritter earned the prestigious AJB DOC Main Award in 2018 for her remarkable documentary Why Slavery? A Woman Captured [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]. Her powerful work resonated with audiences and exemplified the festival's dedication to addressing significant societal issues through the lens of documentary filmmaking.

Vitaly Mansky, a luminary in the realm of documentary filmmaking, has not only directed over 35 films (such as his most recent effort, Eastern Front [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Vitaly Mansky, Yevhen Titar…
film profile], co-directed with Yevhen Titarenko, which screened in the Berlinale’s Encounters section earlier this year), but also founded the Russian Open Documentary Film Festival, known as Artdocfest. His documentaries, spanning a wide range of topics, have received acclaim at international film festivals worldwide. Mansky's films have repeatedly delved into the intricacies of society and human experience.

Producer Vanja Jambrović's work has crisscrossed the globe, with her films having graced the selections of prestigious film festivals such as IDFA, Hot Docs, Toronto IFF, Karlovy Vary IFF and more. Her ability to curate and produce films that resonate across diverse audiences is a testament to her understanding of the cinematic craft.

Nermin Hamzagić, a director born in Sarajevo, has demonstrated his creative flair both on stage and through the lens. His journey from short films to feature-length works has showcased his evolving artistic voice. In 2019, he premiered his first feature, Full Moon [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Nermin Hamzagić
film profile], which earned recognition and nominations from the European Film Academy.

Mohamed Elmongy, an integral part of Al Jazeera Documentary Channel, adds a unique dimension to the jury. With a portfolio of commissioned and co-produced films screened at esteemed film festivals, his expertise in identifying exceptional storytelling is invaluable.