The Black Panther star has made history as the first African jury head at one of the world’s top five film festivals.
In Berlinale’s 74-year history, there has never been a black jury head.
Lupita Nyong’o, leading the jury, will decide winners in the Berlin International Film Festival’s main categories, addressing the longstanding diversity critique of major film festivals.
Nyong’o emphasizes the value of diverse perspectives in the selection process, stating, “That’s the beauty of bringing people together from different backgrounds – we respond to different things.”
The festival, running from February 15 to February 25, gathers about 200 films across genres.
Nyong’o anticipates an interesting and “spicy” experience due to the wealth of diverse world experiences and opinions among the jurors.
Notably, the festival will open with “Small Things Like These,” directed by Tim Mielants and featuring Oscar-nominated actors Matt Damon and Cillian Murphy, adding to the event’s star-studded lineup.
Late last year, Berlinale directors praised Lupita Nyong’o for embodying cinema’s versatility, embracing diverse projects, addressing varied audiences, and maintaining consistency in her recognizable characters.
