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Having previously announced four jury members, Rodolphe Belmer, President of Series Mania, and Laurence Herszberg, Founder and General Director of Series Mania (March 18-25), announced today that Ukrainian film producer Julia Sinkevych has been selected as jury president for this year’s Series Mania Festival and its International Competition. In addition to being a producer, Sinkevych is co-founder of the Ukrainian Film Academy, and a member of the European Film Academy. She has always been committed to supporting Ukrainian artists and the culture of her country from Kyiv, where she lives. As her presence in Lille is not certain at this point in time, renowned French writer and director Marc Dugain, has been appointed as vice-president of this year’s jury.

“We have chosen to give the presidency of the jury of the Series Mania International Competition to a Ukrainian woman, producer and manager for several years of one of the most important film festivals in Eastern Europe: the Odesa International Film Festival (of which Series Mania has long been a partner of). By proposing this presidency to Julia Sinkevych, who carries the colors of culture in a wounded country, we wish to show our support for the people of Ukraine and attest the importance of festivals in a world in crisis, as they create a place for people to come together to exchange ideas and celebrate our diversities,” commented Belmer.

“We have always said that series are the mirror to a period of time that resonate through their stories, their characters, and their subjects. Series Mania has always been dedicated to reflecting this continuous and intimate dialogue between culture and society. This is why we feel it is essential today to turn our attention to the tragic situation that is shaking Ukraine and the entire world. We are honored to have Julia serving as our jury president,” stated Herszberg.

“By bringing together, under the presidency of a Ukrainian producer, a Turkish screenwriter, a German actor, a French writer and director, an Israeli actress and a French singer, the jury of the international competition, which embodies the core of Series Mania, demonstrates that culture knows no constraints or borders,” added Herszberg.

Jury members previously announced include German actor Christian Berkel (Downfall, Valkyrie), Israeli actress Shira Haas (Unorthodox), Turkish creator and director Berkun Oya (Bir Baskadir) and French singer-songwriter and model Yseult.