2025 Jury

The 25th annual Beverly Hills Film Festival is proud to present the following exceptionally qualified & experienced jury members
JURY PRESIDENT

FREDERICO LAPENDA

Award-winning filmmaker Frederico Lapenda is a global executive who has worked in the entertainment industry for almost 30 years.
JURY mEMBERS
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TUCKER TOOLEY

Tucker Tooley is CEO of Tucker Tooley Entertainment, a leading film and television finance and production company.
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ROB MINKOFF

Disney-trained director of The Lion King, Stuart Little and Mr. Peabody & Sherman; acclaimed animator and filmmaker.
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JOEL CRAWFORD

Director of Oscar & BAFTA-nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish; DreamWorks filmmaker (The Croods, Trolls).
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ARNOLD SCHWARTSMAN

Oscar-winning producer-director Arnold Schwartzman OBE: acclaimed documentarian, designer, author, and former BAFTA chair.
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ROBERTA AUGUSTO

Senior VP at IDC (Lionsgate), marketing film leader across 20+ countries; drove 165+ releases incl. Twilight, Hunger Games, John Wick.
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AMANDA STHERS

French novelist, playwright and filmmaker; author of 12+ novels, director of MADAME & PROMISES; Officer of Arts & Letters.
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SEAN KANAN

Emmy-winning producer, actor and author; Karate Kid III & Cobra Kai star, creator of Studio City, five-time author.
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MICHELE KANAN

Emmy-winning producer, writer & director; creator of Studio City, produced 7+ films, developing Pretty Little Gun.
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JANUEL MERCADO

Co-director of Oscar & BAFTA-nominated Puss in Boots: The Last Wish; DreamWorks veteran (Kung Fu Panda, Trolls).
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JEFF RICE

Top independent producer with 130+ films; box-office hits and festival premieres (Cannes, Sundance, Venice) worldwide.

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