International Competition Award

Dana Bunescu (born in 1969, in Craiova, Romania) is an acclaimed editor and sound designer and a key figure in the Romanian New Wave. A graduate of the National University of Theatre and Film “I. L. Caragiale” in Bucharest (Multimedia Department, Editing, Sound, and Computer Graphics), she also holds a degree in Physics from the University of Bucharest, specializing in Opto-Technics and Laser Technology. Bunescu has collaborated with many of Romania’s leading filmmakers, including Radu Jude, Cristian Mungiu, Cristi Puiu, Corneliu Porumboiu, Călin Peter Netzer, and Andrei Ujică. Her work includes the Palme d’Or–winning 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (Cannes), the Golden Bear–winning Child’s Pose (Berlinale), and Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn (Golden Bear, Berlinale), as well as the Academy Award–nominated documentary Collective (co-editor). Equally active in fiction and documentary, Bunescu is known for her distinctive integration of editing and sound design, shaping complex historical and political narratives such as The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceaușescu, The Dead Nation, Uppercase Print, and The Exit of the Trains. Her recent credits include Things We Said Today (dir. Andrei Ujică), Transit Times (dir. Ana-Felicia Scutelnicu), and Holy Week (dir. Andrei Cohn).

A leading curator, producer, and creative executive, Caroline Libresco spent 18 years as senior programmer at the Sundance Film Festival, where she co-headed documentary and international competitions. She also founded and directed Sundance Catalyst and the Sundance Women’s Program. In 2021, she co-founded Jewish Story Partners with Spielberg’s Righteous Persons Foundation, granting $4M+ to 118 documentaries including Steal This Story Please, Sabbath Queen, and five Oscar-shortlisted films including: Holding Liat, Coexistence My Ass!, My Undesirable Friends, and Last Flight Home. Producing credits include We Are Pat and Disclosure (as an executive producer), and Food and Country, American Revolutionary: Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs, and Sunset Story, as producer. A frequent story consultant, strategic advisor, moderator, and tutor, she holds degrees from Oberlin (BA), Harvard (MA), and UCLA Film School (MFA).

Born in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1946, he studied economics in the UK. Professionally, he was involved in his family’s shipping company, as well as in other business ventures. He served on the board of the Union of Greek Shipowners, where he was responsible for public relations. Sports have been a constant and essential part of his life. He has been active in numerous disciplines, both as an athlete and as an official, and continues to participate in marathons and ultramarathons. Since the 1970s, he and his wife, Mary Hatzimihali-Papaliou have been involved in the production of films, television series, and documentaries. They have collaborated with prominent figures in Greek cinema, including Theodoros Angelopoulos, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, and Tasos Psaras. He has also produced television series such as The Teacher with Golden Eyes and Poreia 090. In documentary filmmaking, his longstanding collaborations with Mary Papaliou hold a special place. He was a board member of the Greek Film Centre from 1980 to 1984 and served as its president from 2006 to 2013.