Funa Maduka, a Nigerian filmmaker, is one of the 16 jurors granting awards at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
The Sundance Film Festival is an annual US project showcasing work from international independent filmmakers.
It consists of competitive sections for dramatic and documentary films, both feature films and short films, and a group of out-of-competition sections.
The festival’s 2023 edition is kicking off on January 19 and lasts until the 29th in Utah.
Maduka was named among the three jury members of the world cinema dramatic competition, alongside Shozo Ichiyama and Annemarie Jacir.
Sixteen jurors will grant the awards for feature and short films, which will be announced on January 27.
The jurors of the US dramatic competition are Jeremy O. Harris, Eliza Hittman, and Marlee Matlin.
Included are W. Kamau Bell, Ramona Diaz, and Carla Gutierrez for the US documentary competition.
Also included are Karim Amer, Petra Costa, and Alexander Nanau for the world cinema documentary competition.
There is Madeleine Olnek for the NEXT competition section.
Also listed among the jurors are Destin Daniel Cretton, Marie-Louise Khondji, and Deborah Stratman for the short film program competition.
Funa Maduka is an award-winning filmmaker and the former head of International Original Films at Netflix where she worked with emerging filmmakers.
Over six years, she was at the frontline of the company’s global expansion, managing the launch of the film offering across over 100 countries.
Maduka pioneered Netflix’s move into international film production, building a development slate across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
Her acquisitions brought Netflix its first film nominations at the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.
Funa Maduka is credited with writing, producing, and directing the first Nigerian film to world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
The film executive holds a BA from Cornell University and a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School.
Copyright 2024 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle