Meet the International Jury of IN THE PALACE 2026

For its 23rd edition, IN THE PALACE brings together an international jury of film professionals from across the industry to evaluate this year s competition programmes.

This year's jury includes 22 experts from 14 countries, representing different areas of the film industry. They will evaluate the films across the festival's competition categories and select the winners of the 2026 edition.

IN THE PALACE is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival, allowingwinners in the Best Fiction, Best Animation, Best Documentary, and Best National Film competitions to move forward toward Academy Awards consideration. Since 2017, the festival has also supported the submission of a Bulgarian short film for the Oscar race.

The fiction jury brings together critics, programmers, filmmakers, festival founders, and industry strategists from the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. The animation jury includes acclaimed directors, animators, producers, and festival professionals from Portugal, Italy, Russia, and Georgia, including artists recognized by Cannes, theOscars, and the Cesar Awards.

The documentary jury gathers producers, directors, programmers, journalists, and film experts from Portugal, France, Romania, Slovenia, Germany, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic. The FILMER FORGE pitching jury will evaluate new shortfilm projects, with experts connected to MIDPOINT Institute, Unifrance, FILMER FORGE, and international filmproduction.

Together, the jury reflects the festival's broader mission: to connect short films with experienced professionals whounderstand not only cinema as art, but also its circulation, visibility, industry pathways, and cultural impact.

Meet all the jury members here

Written by Monica Zafirova