Ask the Experts: Which emerging directors and writers have you most excited?

“Joyce A Nashawati, a French-Greek-Lebanese film-maker who made three great short films that played at numerous festivals. She’s just completed her first feature Blind Sun, a French-Greek co-production. It’s a tense, atmospheric thriller set in a Greek seaside resort, and Joyce is a real talent.”
James Velaise, president, Pretty Pictures

“Ivan Ostrochovsky is the Slovak director of Koza, a brilliant debut feature film about a retired Romany boxer. Ostrochovsky, who co-wrote the film with Marek Lescak, has an amazing eye and mind in dealing with this brutal material.”
Rebecca Lenkiewicz, screenwriter

“Working with Gerard Barrett on Brain On Fire, I’ve witnessed his strong vision and keen understanding of his audience. I have been amazed by this 28-year-old writer-director, whose previous features Glasslandand Pilgrim Hill both received critical acclaim.”
Rouzie Hassanova, vice-president, international licensing and distribution, Mister Smith Entertainment

“My favourite emerging directors are Alice Rohrwacher [right], Marielle Heller, Gabriel Mascaro, Gabor Reisz, Ariel Kleiman, Andrew Cividino, Ryan Coogler, Leyla Bouzid, Marie Amachoukeli, Fien Troch and Benh Zeitlin. Each of these directors has made something incredibly personal, intimate and cinematic.”
Jonas Carpignano, director

“In the indie sphere Xavier Dolan isn’t a new name, but I want to see him under the mainstream spotlight. There is a relentless energy and unforgiving attitude about his films.”
Annie Fungsenior, manager, international sales, Turbo Films

“Isiah Medina, a young Canadian who has been experimenting with digital video essay-documentaries. His ecstatically beautiful feature 88:88 premiered at Locarno… and then Toronto… and then NYFF. The secret is out: this guy is going places.”
Efe Cakarel, founder and CEO, MUBI