Jury of the 13th Edition of the International Filmmaker Festival New York (IFFNY)
Natasha Ruth – Movie Critic
Natasha Ruth was born in West Africa and moved to the US with her family when she was 6 years old. She pursued her studies in movie criticism in Los Angeles and has since traveled extensively around the world, critiquing films at numerous prestigious film festivals. Natasha Ruth is not only passionate about film criticism but also shares her knowledge as a teacher in the fields of movie analysis and social media. She enjoys imparting her expertise to aspiring filmmakers and enthusiasts alike, helping them navigate the intricate world of cinema and digital communication.
Olgierd Minkiewicz – Director, Musical Artist & Creator
Olgierd Minkiewicz is a director, musical artist, and creator dedicated to finding imaginative ways to tackle life’s everyday problems. He has over 10 years of experience in the real estate industry, as well as six years as the president and founder of Polymathy Inc., a company that connects and supports the artists that change the culture with their work. He carries a deep passion for the creation of music as it pertains to its lyricism, production, creative direction, storyline, and videography. “Leading Me Straight”, a short film with music written and performed by Olgierd, is a critically acclaimed piece sweeping over 20 film awards, including “Best Music Video” at the New York Short Film Festival, Lancaster International Film Festival and International Filmmaker Festival of New York.
Despite his affinity for dance, theatre, music, and other expressive collaborative outlets, his greatest mission falls under storytelling, and the innate desire to share his ideas, wisdom, and artistry with the world with the hope to inspire positive change.
Fisnik Halili – Cinematographer
Fisnik Halili, hailing from Skopje, North Macedonia, embarked on his professional journey as a photographer, igniting the flames of his artistic passion. With each click of the shutter, he found himself drawn deeper into the realm of visual storytelling. As his skills flourished, so did his desire to delve into the world of cinematography.
Transitioning seamlessly from photography to cinematography, Fisnik found himself immersed in the captivating realm of motion pictures. While his heart beats to the rhythm of filmmaking, he hasn’t shied away from exploring the diverse avenues of expression, having lent his expertise to numerous music videos that captivate both the eyes and the soul.
In his pursuit of cinematic excellence, Fisnik stands as a co-founder of Lumiere Films production company, a platform that fosters creativity and innovation in the realm of visual storytelling. With a decade of experience under his belt, Fisnik has honed his craft as a cinematographer, capturing moments that transcend the boundaries of time and space.
Avdi Thachi – Producer & Editor
Over the past decade, Avdi Thachi has established himself as a distinguished film editor and producer. Starting in Skopje, Macedonia, he honed his editing skills on diverse projects before founding his production company, Lumiere Films. A milestone was the short ‘Farmer’s Blues’ which he edited and co-produced, earning acclaim. He went on to edit films of various lengths and produce/edit television. His latest endeavour feature-length fiction ‘Everybody Calls Redjo’ backed by the North Macedonian Film Agency, cements his reputation. Avdi’s passion has fuelled a remarkable career arc from local editor to internationally recognised producer/editor.
Xi Ren – Filmmaker
Xi Ren is from China and lives in LA. She earned her undergraduate degree in directing and a graduate degree in screenwriting in America. She is a screenwriter and a member of the International Screenwriters’ Association. Four of her scripts have won 7 times and been nominated 10 times in many international film festivals. She serves as a jury for several film festivals.
Happy New Year! Congratulations to all screenwriters who participated in the 9th Edition of ISC 2024. Notifications have been sent through our festival platforms. This year, we received a staggering 1224 entries, resulting in the recognition of 55 outstanding projects across all our platforms. ISC takes pride in awarding 10 monetary prizes to foster global screenwriting talent, along with 10 non-monetary award certificates to encourage writers worldwide.
