BERLIN, Feb 1 (ZIZ): The upcoming Berlinale is set to showcase a diverse array of 15 films within its Encounters program, with the adjudication of awards for Best Film, Best Director, and the Special Jury Award entrusted to a distinguished trio: Lisandro Alonso representing Argentina, Denis Côté from Canada, and Tizza Covi hailing from Italy.
Below are brief profiles of the distinguished members of the Encounters Jury for 2024:
- Lisandro Alonso (Argentina)
Born in Buenos Aires in 1975, Lisandro Alonso embarked on his directorial path through studies at the Universidad del Cine. His cinematic journey commenced with the world premiere of La Libertad at the Un Certain Regard section in Cannes in 2001. Establishing his production company, Alonso crafted notable films such as Los Muertos (2004), Fantasma (2006), and Liverpool (2008). His collaboration with Viggo Mortensen in Jauja earned critical acclaim, including the FIPRESCI Prize in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes in 2014. The duo continued their partnership with Eureka, debuting in Cannes in 2023. - Denis Côté (Canada)
Following a background in film studies, Denis Côté transitioned to short film production and garnered recognition as a film critic. His feature debut, Les états nordiques, received the Golden Leopard in the Video Competition at Locarno in 2005. Côté’s international profile expanded with films like Bestiaire in 2012, presented at the Forum, and subsequent Berlinale appearances with Vic + Flo Saw a Bear (Competition 2013), Joy of Man’s Desiring (Forum 2014), Boris Without Béatrice (Competition 2016), and Ghost Town Anthology (Competition 2019). Notably, Côté clinched the Best Director prize in the Encounters section with Social Hygiene in 2021, followed by That Kind of Summer in the 2022 Competition. His prolific career has warranted over 40 retrospectives worldwide. - Tizza Covi (Italy)
Italian director Tizza Covi initiated her artistic journey with photography studies in Vienna, collaborating with Rainer Frimmel on diverse projects across photography, theatre, and film. Babooska (2006), their documentary, earned the Wolfgang Staudte Award in the Forum section. La Pivellina (2009), their debut feature, premiered at Cannes and later featured in the Berlinale’s Generation section. The Shine of the Day, their second feature screened in Perspektive Deutsches Kino in 2013, securing the Silver Leopard at Locarno for Best Actor. Their documentary Notes from the Underworld (Panorama 2020) received a Special Mention at the Berlinale Documentary Award. Notably, Covi’s latest film, Vera, claimed victory at the Venice Film Festival in 2022, earning Best Directors and Best Actress accolades in the Orrizonti Section.
