MEET THE NEIGHBORS+ INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION AWARD

Cristina Cassano, Head of Contemporary Italian Cinema Promotion at Cinecittà S.p.A., Italy’s leading institution for the promotion and development of cinema and audiovisual culture, has over thirty years of experience in the audiovisual industry, with particular expertise in managing complex projects aimed at promoting and increasing the visibility of Italy’s cinematic heritage. She began her career in the commercial exploitation of film rights, with responsibility for the sale and licensing of feature films, documentaries, and archival footage in both the Italian and international markets. This experience enabled her to develop extensive expertise in copyright, international distribution, and the processes governing the commercial exploitation of audiovisual works. Throughout her career, she has progressively broadened the scope of her role, assuming responsibility for the coordination and supervision of national and international projects. She has worked closely with embassies, Italian Cultural Institutes, and film festivals, contributing to the promotion of contemporary Italian cinema worldwide. Her responsibilities have included organizing film programs, retrospectives, workshops, and professional events, as well as overseeing the operational and strategic management of the related activities, in close and continuous collaboration with key stakeholders across the audiovisual industry.

Sofia Exarchou is a screenwriter and director. Her first feature, Park, premiered at Toronto IFF and San Sebastián IFF, where it won the New Directors Award. Her second feature, Animal, was selected for L’Atelier at the Festival de Cannes and premiered at Locarno IFF, where it won the Best Performance Award. Animal also won Best Film at Thessaloniki IFF, Cork IFF, and Vancouver IFF, as well as seven Hellenic Film Academy Iris Awards, including Best Film, Director, and Screenplay, among numerous other festival awards. It was also nominated for the 2025 LUX European Audience Film Award.

Anne Østerud is a Danish film editor. She graduated from the National Film School of Denmark. Her longstanding collaboration with Thomas Vinterberg includes The Hunt, the Academy Award-winning Another Round, and The Commune. Her credits also include Nicolas Winding Refn’s Pusher trilogy, Bille August’s Silent Heart and A Fortunate Man, and Niels Arden Oplev’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Her work spans feature films, documentaries, and television, alongside collaborations with emerging filmmakers. She has received several awards for her editing.