Jury members & Advisory Board Members for RIFF 2025 are:

International Jury & Advisor :

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  Marianne Borgo

  Film Socity Activist & Film Critic
  France

  MARIANNE BORGO is a French actress trained at the Conservatoire National D'Art Dramatique in Paris. In a career spanning over five decades, Marianne has played many classical lead roles on stage in the most prestigious French theatres. She has also worked with major film directors as Luis Bunuel, Robert Wise, Ademir Kenovic, Sandy Whitelaw, Patrick Timsit and James Ivory. She also starred as Adelaide Bartlett in Carol Wiseman's highly acclaimed BBC television series "A Question of Guilt ". This was followed by roles in many other series such "Angels", "Skorpion", "Little Princess", "Pie in the Sky", "Bergerac" etc.  Marianne first discovered India in 1977, during the shooting of the documentary series "Spirit of Asia". Since then, Marianne has acted in several Indian film  and stage productions, including the play "Marx My Words" directed and played by veteran thespian Tom Alter. She has also been a film festival consultant and jury member at various Indian film festivals.(  Goa , Nashik , Raipur and Bengalaru ) Marianne's new film "Holy Waters" chronicles her journey to the Kumbh Mela in Nashik. Her ambition is tofilm a full fledged television series presenting India's ancient wisdom and healing therapies



Charles Thomson

Actor & Moderator in Film Festivals
Australia

Charles Thomson has acted in Marathi Movie 1909 playing Collector Jackson of Nasik. Has made guest appearance on Marathi TV serials including Honaar Soon Mee Hyaa Gharchii. Was one of the lead characters in a yet to be released Hindi film ‘Mystic City’. Played Hendrik in Colours TV Code Red episode on the life of Charles Sobraj. Charles has appeared on number of Indian English and Hindi news channels.  Charles is also working with producer/director  Raj Suri, Karigar Australia on an Australian documentary - Bihari Lal - the wandering Australia. Made a short documentary film ‘Devdasi Children of Pune’ shown at both Sydney and Brisbane International Film Festivals.  Worked in four commercials for HCL Technology on YouTube.

 

 

 

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  Anna Katchko

  Internationally acclaimed Film Producer from Moscow,
  Russia

  TANDEM PRODUCTION was founded in 2007 by the film producer Anna Katchko, has offices in Moscow, Russia and in Berlin, Germany and focuses on international feature film co-productions and emerging talents. Anna Katchko holds a BERLINALE SILVER BEAR for "Harmony Lessons" (Kazakhstan-Germany), the PRIZE for Best DEBUT from VENICE IFF for "Kalo Pothi" ( Nepal-Germany) and more than 100 other international awards. Anna Katchko is founder of Eurasia Spotlight (co-production event at the Eurasia IFF in Kazakhstan), one of the founders of MIFF Business Square (the Film Business Platform at Moscow International Film Festival) and of various training workshop for film producers. In 2017 Anna was appointed head of the 1st Kazakhstan’s Pavilion in Cannes. Member of European Film Academy.

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  Hassan Nazer

  Internationally acclaimed Film Maker
  IRAN

  Hassan Nazer an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, has by now directed films that have won 14 international awards, and several critical accolades, Hassan been involved in most aspects of the performing arts since he was a child. He had the opportunity to learn under the guidance of Mr. Hamid Samandarian , a native of Iran he went on to study to Scotland at the age of eighteen . he studied film and visuals culture He created World film production which is registered in Scotland. The company is involved in producing films. His recent and 7th feature film UTOPIA(2015) has seen delving into themes of loneliness and isolation. Utopia was official entry of Afghanistan Best Foreign film to ACADEMY AWARD 2016 and has been enjoying top critical and festivals success across the world.

   

• National Jury & Advisor :

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  K.L. Jain

  Hon. Secretary General

  Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce & Industry

  Dr. K.L. Jain is an industrialist and Management Consultant. He is Honorary Secretary General of the Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the last 38 years. Dr. Jain has an excellent public relations with agencies connected with industrial developments including stock and share business. He is promoter and Director of Jaipur Stock Exchange Ltd. He had been President of Jaipur Stock Exchange for nine years. He is also President of Rajasthan Productivity Council. Presently Dr. Jain is associated with many committees and commissions of the Central Government as well as the State Government. Dr. Jain is closely associated with a large number of industrial and academic bodies and has keen interest in social upliftment. He was awarded National Citizen Award by the Hon'ble Vice-President of India in 1994. Dr. Jain has 40 years industrial experience of all types of industries and a member of various advisory committees of Central and State Government. He is also President of Jaipur Management Association and Senior Active Member of Rotary Club of Jaipur East.

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  Rahul Rawail

  Indian Film Director

  Mumbai,India

  Rahul Rawail is an Indian film director and editor in Bollywood known for his films like Love Story (1981), Betaab (1983), Arjun (1985), Dacait (1987), Anjaam (1994), Arjun Pandit (1999) and the recent one Jo Bole So Nihaal (2005). He was nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Director twice. He is son of film director H. S. Rawail and his son Bharat is an upcoming director. Rawail has launched a few of Bollywood actors through his films like Kumar Gaurav and Vijeta Pandit in Love Story, Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh in Betaab, Kajol in Bekhudi (1992), and Aishwarya Rai in Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997).

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  Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

  Instrumentalist
  Jaipur

  Creator of the MOHAN VEENA and the winner of the GRAMMY AWARD, Vishwa Mohan has mesmerized the world with his pristine pure, delicate yet fiery music. It is due to Vishwa's maiden mega effort that he rechristened guitar as MOHAN VEENA, his genius creation and has established it at the top most level in the mainstream of Indian Classical Music scenario, thereby proving the essence of his name VISHWA (meaning the world) and MOHAN (meaning charmer) and indeed , a world charmer he is. Vishwa Mohan has performed extensively in the USA, USSR, Canada, the Great Britain, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Scotland, Switzerland, Denmark, then scaling the Gulf of Dubai, Al-Sharjah, Bahrain, Muscat, Abu Dhabi etc. and throughout India.

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  Ajit Rai

  Media Committee - International Film Festivals,
  Mumbai

  Ajit Rai , a member of Media committee International film festival of India Goa in 2010 & preview committee Cinema of the World International Film Festival Of India Goa in 2014 & 2015. Ajit Rai is one of the leading Film critic of India with wide experience of more than 35 years. The most prestigious Cannes film festival granted him the most priority Badge considering one of the most important film expert of the world. He is pioneer of Cinema movements in Educational Institutions & small cities of India and Abroad.He has started many International Film Festivals in India & abroad. At present, he is working with Bharat Express a national news channel as advisor & film critic. He was Editor Rang Prasang , a prestigious journal of National School of Drama Ministry of Culture Government of India New Delhi. He was founder Editor Drishyantar, a monthly magazine of media & cinema by Doordarshan Ministry of I & B. Govt of India.

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  Prof. Sudhir Soni

  ICCR Professor ( Film Expert ) ,
  Jaipur

  Professor Sudhir Soni is a well know Film Expert from Jaipur , Rajasthan. He has more than 33 years of experience in the Field of Cinema , Media & Higher Education. He has visited more than 14 countries as Culture & Academic Expert. He has written 30 books which are published. Sudhir Soni is associated with many major Cinema & Literature Festivals..

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  Mr. Raj Bansal

  Film Analyst & Film Distributor,
  Jaipur

  Mr. Raj Bansal is a Film Analyst and Film Distributor based in North India. He is also a poet, writer and Multiplex owner .He has more than 33 years of experience in the Field of Distribution of Cinema , His weekly columns are published based on film releases and its analysis. Raj Bansal is the General secretary of the Rajasthan Film Trade and Promotion Council. Raj bansal also heads Yash Raj Jai Pictures Private Limited as YRF distribution office in Rajasthan Circuit.