Leading Figures Announced for BFI London Film Festival Jury Panels

The British Film Institute (BFI) London Film Festival has unveiled the distinguished figures who will preside over its various competition juries this year. This assembly of talent includes acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and industry veterans, tasked with recognizing excellence across different categories, from the official competition to documentaries and short films.

American filmmaker Sam Pollard has been appointed to chair the Official Competition jury, which will bestow the festival's top honor, the Best Film Award. Pollard's illustrious career is marked by numerous accolades, including Peabody and Emmy Awards, an Academy Award nomination, and the International Documentary Association’s Career Achievement Award. His recent directorial endeavors showcase a breadth of impactful works, such as the Berlinale Peace Film Prize winner 'Tutu', 'I Was Born This Way' (2025), 'The League' (2023), 'South to Black Power' (2023), 'Citizen Ashe' (2021), and 'MLK/FBI' (2020). Expressing his delight, Pollard remarked on his surprise and excitement at being invited to lead such a prestigious jury, highlighting his eagerness to engage with the selected films.

Joining Pollard on the Official Competition jury are Argentine filmmaker and writer Mariano Llinás, celebrated for works like 'The Life of Jorge Luis Borges' and 'The Flower', and Julie La Bassiere, Chief Strategy Officer at DDA Global. Their combined expertise is expected to bring a rich and varied perspective to the judging process.

For the Sutherland Award, which honors first feature films, British-Egyptian actor and producer Amir El-Masry will take the helm. El-Masry, a Scottish BAFTA winner for 'Limbo' and a BAFTA Breakthrough Brit in 2020, has recently appeared in 'Giant', a biopic about Naseem Hamed, and Julia Jackman’s '100 Nights of Hero'. He will be joined by Filipino independent film producer Alemberg Ang and Rosa Bosch, an executive specializing in international film sales, distribution, and awards strategy.

The Grierson Award for the documentary competition will be presided over by British-Indian writer Sandhya Suri. Her narrative fiction debut, 'Santosh', earned an Oscar shortlist nomination and a BIFA for best screenplay. Suri, known for her 2005 documentary 'I For India', is currently collaborating with BBC Film on an adaptation of a J.G. Ballard work. Her jury includes Kate Fitzpatrick, Senior Programmer at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and Andee Ryder, an Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning film producer.

The short film competition jury will be led by Helen Simmons, a producer, writer, and co-founder of Erebus Pictures. Simmons' impressive producing credits include the BAFTA-nominated 'Hoard', the 2025 LFF closing film '100 Nights of Hero', and the Berlinale Crystal Bear winner 'Last Swim'. She also co-wrote and co-directed the Méliès Award-winning short 'Measure'. Accompanying Simmons on the jury are Leo Reich, a comedian and creator of the upcoming Channel 4 and A24 series 'It Gets Worse', and Jack Casey, a script editor and executive producer whose works include 'Wren Boys' and 'White Girl'.

The festival's leadership expressed their enthusiasm for the diverse range of films and the distinct perspectives that the jury members will bring to the event. The announcement underscores the festival's commitment to showcasing compelling storytelling and nurturing cinematic talent from around the globe.