Lupita Nyong’o, the Kenyan actress, has become the first black person to lead the jury at the Berlin International Film Festival.
The Berlin International Film Festival is usually held annually in Germany. Often called Berlinale, it is considered one of the three major film festivals in the world, alongside Venice and Cannes, and is the largest based on attendance
According to the BBC, Nyong’o was selected to lead the jury for the festival’s 74th edition.
The actress, alongside her fellow jury members, will evaluate 20 films vying for the Golden and Silver Bear awards.
Addressing the audience at the event’s opening in Berlin, Nyong’o highlighted the significance of diversity within the jury.
“That is the beauty of bringing people together from different backgrounds – we respond to different things,” she said.
“We have a lot of world experience and opinions and it is gonna be interesting. It’s probably also gonna be spicy.”
It is understood that the event has not had a black jury head in its 74-year history.
Nyong’o’s illustrious career includes her award-winning performance as Patsey in the 2013 film ‘12 Years a Slave’, for which she won an Academy Award for ‘Best Supporting Actress’.
In 2014, the Kenyan Oscar-winning actress was announced as the first black woman to join ‘Star Wars’, the Walt Disney Co’s Lucas film.
She has also appeared in various notable films such as ‘Black Panther’, and Beyoncé’s musical film ‘Black Is King’, among others.
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