After announcing the 18 outstanding projects selected for the DANAFF Talents 2026 Project Incubator, the Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF) has continued to reveal the distinguished figures who will serve as jurors for the program.

They include experienced curators, producers, film festival founders and artistic directors who have made significant contributions to the development of cinema across Asia and around the world.

As part of the fourth Da Nang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF IV), DANAFF Talents 2026 continues to affirm its role as one of the festival's key initiatives dedicated to nurturing a new generation of filmmakers in the region.

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, this year's program returns with two categories: Art-house Projects and Genre Film Projects from Vietnam. The initiative aims to support filmmakers in developing ideas, refining projects and expanding opportunities to connect with international film networks.

Tasked with independently evaluating project presentations and selecting the most promising entries is a jury panel comprising film festival executives, producers, distributors and internationally respected cinema experts.

What makes this group particularly notable is that they are not only evaluators but also industry figures who have spent years discovering, mentoring and supporting filmmaking talent at different stages of development.

Through their work with film festivals, project markets, film funds and international production companies, they bring diverse perspectives on creativity, production, distribution and project development strategies within the global film landscape.

Art-house Projects jury: Connecting emerging cinematic voices to the world

Among them is Julien Rejl, one of the most influential contemporary film curators in Europe.

Before being appointed Artistic Director of the Directors' Fortnight section at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022, he worked in distribution, acquisitions and international sales at Capricci, collaborating with renowned filmmakers including Hong Sang-soo, Wang Bing, Tsai Ming-liang, Albert Serra and Abel Ferrara.

He also helped bring acclaimed debut features such as Kaili Blues, The Swarm, Bruno Reidal and Just Don't Think I'll Scream to international audiences.

His long-standing experience in talent discovery, film curation, criticism and preservation provides him with a sharp perspective on artistic identity and the development potential of emerging projects.

For Vietnamese cinema, Directors' Fortnight selected Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell by director Pham Thien An before the film won the Caméra d'Or at Cannes in 2023.

Earlier, the section also showcased his short film Be Awake, Be Ready, while in the same year it featured Once Upon a Bridge in Vietnam by director Nguyen Trung Nghia.

These achievements underscore Directors' Fortnight's role as a launchpad for emerging filmmaking talents worldwide.

If Julien Rejl represents the world of film festivals and curation, Jacob Wong is closely associated with the development journey of numerous Asian film projects.

As Director of HKIFF Industry and Berlinale's representative for Chinese-language cinema since 2001, he has overseen the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), HAF Film Lab and a range of talent development programs.

Over several decades, Wong has worked alongside independent filmmakers from the earliest stages of project development through financing and international distribution, becoming one of the most influential figures in Asia's film project ecosystem.

Notably, HAF was among the first international platforms to support Vietnamese projects such as Father and Son and..., Don't Cry, Butterfly and Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell before they achieved recognition at major international festivals.

Adding a production-focused perspective is Oh Jung Wan, founder of Bom Film Productions and one of South Korea's most respected producers.

Her career is associated with acclaimed films including A Tale of Two Sisters, Untold Scandal, A Bittersweet Life, You Are My Sunshine, Night and Day, A Man and a Woman and, most recently, Wonderland.

Beyond producing successful films both artistically and commercially, she has pioneered numerous international co-production projects between South Korea and other Asian film industries, bringing valuable practical insights into producing and developing projects within a competitive global market.

Completing the panel is Yuni Hadi, a cultural strategist and film producer from Singapore.

Having led prominent cultural and film organizations such as the Singapore International Film Festival (SGIFF), Objectifs and ArtsEquator, she continues to play an important role in nurturing emerging talents through initiatives including the Asian Film Pitch Project.

Her achievements also include producing Ilo Ilo, winner of the Caméra d'Or at Cannes 2013, and serving as executive producer of Ah Girls Go Army.

Her combined expertise in cultural management, talent development and film production provides a comprehensive understanding of how projects evolve from ideas into internationally recognized works.

Genre Film Projects jury: Architects of Asia's film industry

Among the standout figures is Lorna Tee, a producer working across Asia and Europe.

She currently serves as International Advisor to Barunson E&A, the Seoul-based production and international distribution company, and as Secretary General of the Asian Film Alliance Network (AFAN).

Throughout her career, she has held influential roles at Berlinale, CinemAsia, IFFAM, Variety and numerous international film organizations.

Her producing credits include Crazy Stone, Come Rain, Come Shine, Postcards from the Zoo, Mrs K, Diamonds in the Sand and HBO's Folklore anthology series.

With an extensive international network and deep experience in project development, she is widely regarded as a vital bridge connecting Asian filmmaking talents with the global market.

Joining her on the jury is Jimmy Yang, a producer and distributor with more than 26 years of experience in film rights acquisition and distribution.

He has helped bring celebrated titles including Slumdog Millionaire, The Revenant, La La Land, Green Book, Parasite, Bad Genius and Les Choristes to audiences across multiple territories.

Also serving on the panel is Miqi Huang, Vice President of Local Language Productions for Greater China and Southeast Asia at Sony Pictures International Productions.

She has been instrumental in Sony's strategy of developing local-language films throughout Asia.

Her work has contributed to the success of The Bravest, Monster Run and Wish Dragon, while she has also overseen international distribution efforts for YOLO and Legends of the Condor Heroes: The Gallants.

Her experience offers valuable insight into market expansion and the commercial scaling of film projects.

Representing the new wave of Southeast Asian cinema is Linda Gozali, Director of JAFF Market and co-founder of MAGMA Entertainment.

She has produced successful films including The Heartbreak Club, Qodrat, Qodrat 2 and, most recently, Badut Gendong.

She has also played a key role in transforming JAFF Market into Indonesia's leading film marketplace.

From film production and intellectual property development to investment facilitation and international partnerships, Gozali has become one of the driving forces behind the international growth of Indonesia's film industry.

The presence of these four industry leaders at DANAFF Talents 2026 is expected to provide participating projects with practical insights into production, distribution, audience development and strategies for reaching regional and global markets.

DANAFF Talents 2026 attracted more than 350 submissions, further establishing itself as a major platform connecting established filmmakers with promising emerging talents.

Within the Script Lab category, eight Vietnamese projects were selected, representing a wide range of themes and genres. Participants include experienced directors and screenwriters such as Nguyen Quang Dung, the writing duo Kim & ToTo Chan with The Ivory Comb, Phan Gia Nhat Linh with Phan Xich Long and the Southern Uprising, Dinh Tuan Vu with Female Soldiers and Tran Khanh Hoang with First Day of Love, alongside promising younger talents Tran Quang Thien, Ngo Thanh Phong and Vu Nguyen Nam Khue.

In the Art-house Projects category, ten selected projects feature filmmakers who have already gained international recognition, including Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi from Kyrgyzstan, winner of DANAFF 2025's Best Asian Film award with Zholdogu Bala, and Vietnam's Nguyen Trung Nghia, whose short film was selected for Cannes Directors' Fortnight 2024 with The Rat's Wedding.

The participation of projects from Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh and ASEAN countries is expected to create a vibrant environment for exchange and open new opportunities for international co-productions.

Huyen My