The jury for the Competition Selection of the 10th Femme Filmmakers Festival have arrived. And will spend a chunk of their remaining summer watching and talking about 21 short films made by women.
This year, the selection process for the jury members involved a near-two-month scout and acquisition across many social media platforms. True, there are two particular familiar faces to this editor returning to the panel this time around. And a couple of film peers added to the mix in what is their first appearance at the online event.
The majority of the 9-body jury for the 10th edition of the Femme Filmmakers Festival were successful applications during an extensive festival volunteer recruitment in the last couple of months. In fact, the whole volunteer process was more successful than I imagined. More on this later. But with that journey across LinkedIn we have a terrific team of reviewers, interviewers and festival co-ordinators.
As for the jury itself, each and every one of them a film lover. Over the coming months the 9 of them will commit to watching the 21 short films in the Competition Selection. And come the 10 days of the Femme Filmmakers Festival will have made their prize-handing-out decisions. Most likely also, have added to their own cinema fanatic little black books. And here they are in all their glory:
Tingxuan Meng
I am a Film Studies graduate from the University of Southampton. With experience as a director and screenwriter in student film productions. Having worked behind the camera, I’m deeply curious about how female filmmakers use the lens and frames to observe and interpret the world. My favourite works by female directors include Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet and Cléo from 5 to 7 by Agnès Varda – these works fuel my passion for cinema. Being part of the jury for the 10th Femme Filmmakers Festival is an incredible honour. And I’m excited to celebrate and learn from the unique voices of female directors.
Anita Amarachi
As an aspiring writer-director, I’m thrilled to be a jury member at the Femme Filmmakers Festival. I’ve always been drawn to fantasy dramas and romcoms. And I believe films made by women offer uniquely connected experiences that resonate deeply. Being on this jury is an exciting opportunity to celebrate and uplift these voices. Some of my favourite films by women include Rye Lane by Raine Allen-Miller, Little Women by Greta Gerwig, and Anatomy of a Fall by Justine Triet.
Daniel Fisher
I studied Film & TV Production as well as A Level Film Studies at college, currently looking to find my way into the industry. I’m most intrigued with the camera department and photography. My favourite film at the moment is Fallen Angels (1995). And I have a keen interest in experimental works and more slower paced cinema with directors like Kubrick, Tarkovsky and Wong Kar Wai. But I’m not opposed to a good action film too. I frequently use Letterboxd to track films I see, write and read reviews, and also as a platform to discover new films. Discussing and analysing films is something I really enjoy, and I’m excited to be a part of this festival. Some of my favourite works by female directors/females in a leading role would have to be Celine Sciamma’s Portrait of A Lady on Fire (2019), Persona (1966), and Carol (2015)
Berenika Balcer
A writer, editor, and film critic. While currently working as an editor at a contemporary art magazine, I have participated in various film criticism workshops, such as GoCritic! And helped at various film festivals (from Millenium Docs Against Gravity to Raindance). I also publish film analyses and reviews, facilitating my own corner of the internet. Particularly fascinated by gut-punching films that somehow border on comfort watches (hint: Aftersun is in my Letterboxd four favourites). As well as the most bizarre vampire films ever produced (have you ever seen Jesus Christ Vampire Hunter?). I like to believe some would call it a range. Currently based in Poland.
Kristy Strouse
I am a Rotten Tomatoes–approved critic, screenwriter, and acquisitions exec with a passion for bold, genre-driven storytelling. As Head of Acquisitions at TriCoast Entertainment and Editor-in-Chief of Film Inquiry, I champion indie voices and offbeat visions. I’ve also judged for multiple film festivals and runs the cult-horror site Wonderfully Weird & Horrifying. Currently in pre-production on a horror feature that I co-wrote.
Meagan Adele Lopez
An award-winning Film Director, Executive Producer and digital media innovator, a career that bridges film and immersive storytelling. From casting blockbusters like Juno and Wanted, to serving as Global Digital Director for The New York Times, where I led its transformation into a multimedia and virtual reality pioneer. Founder of Lady Who Productions, which has crafted campaigns for the Olympics Paris 2024 committee and the Algorithmic Justice League. Currently producing the feature film Clatter & Hum, and is in development for a major French period drama. My pandemic-era series American Confined in Paris earned front-page coverage in the Baltimore Sun. Other credits include directing the dark comedy Raging Cult, executive producing Clara Nova’s summer hit Electric, and securing a Saul Zaentz StoryLab fellowship for my documentary Through the Eyes of Others. My film training comes from UCLA Screenwriting courses, University of Southern California, La Sorbonne and documentary filmmaking at the National Film and Television School in the UK. Been a juror for festivals like L’Europe autour de L’Europe and Femme Filmmakers Festival. So excited to be back for a second time!
Caleb Ching
I have several years experience in film and television, working with UK industry leaders including ITV and Dock10. I have also exhibited my own shorts at festivals. And served as a jury member for international short film and screenwriting competitions. A fervent film buff, I am eager to see how the entrants of the 10th Femme Filmmakers Festival competition, emerging and established, continue to progress the art form.
Molly Raspberry
My name is Margaret Rasberry – aka Molly Rasberry – and I am a freelance Film writer, Critic and Film MA graduate. My concentration in graduate school was in Feminist film theory. And I have been a part of the North Carolina Film Critics Association since 2021. I am a full time librarian and in my free time I enjoy various watchings, in particular from the golden age of Hollywood.
Clotilde Chinnici
My own love for film began at a very young age when I went to the cinema for the first time to watch The Chronicles of Narnia. After graduating with a BA in Film from King’s College London, I started working in film criticism and entertainment journalism. I’m especially interested in championing women’s voices in filmmaking and foreign language cinema. Bong Joon-ho and Greta Gerwig are two of my favourite directors active at the moment. Although most of my time is occupied by watching films, writing and talking about them to anyone who will listen, I do enjoy reading and baking in my free time.
The 10th Femme Filmmakers Festival runs from 19th through 28th September 2025.
Image credit: Ezkol Arnak
