Asia Argento 

Asia Argento is an Italian actress, filmmaker, and writer, renowned for her bold performances and significant contributions to both European and international cinema. Born in Rome, she is the daughter of legendary horror director Dario Argento, which influenced her early career in cult classics like Trauma (1993) and The Stendhal Syndrome (1996). Argento gained critical acclaim for her performance in Scarlet Diva (2000), a semi-autobiographical film she also directed, and The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things (2004), which further showcased her talent as a multifaceted artist. Beyond acting and directing, Argento has served on juries at major film festivals, including Cannes, where her distinctive voice and deep industry knowledge have contributed to shaping contemporary cinema discussions.

Tamer Hassan

Tamer Hassan is a British actor of Turkish Cypriot descent, renowned for his charismatic portrayals of tough, streetwise characters in film and television. Born in London, Hassan gained prominence with memorable roles in films such as The Business, Layer Cake, and Eastern Promises, often embodying characters that reflect London's gritty underworld. Hassan has appeared in the likes of Game of Thrones and The Football Factory. Known for his larger-than-life personality and versatility, he has become a respected talent and figure in British cinema and throughout his multiple charitable efforts. Tamer is the co-founder of CIFF.

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Roger Daltrey 

The legendary British musician, actor, and philanthropist, best known as the powerful lead vocalist of The Who, one of rock's most influential bands. Born in London, Daltrey's dynamic stage presence and iconic voice have been central to the band's success. In addition to his music career, he has acted in films such as Tommy (1975) and McVicar (1980). Beyond his artistic achievements, Daltrey is a passionate advocate for young people facing cancer, co-founding and tirelessly supporting the Teenage Cancer Trust. Since its inception, the organization has raised millions through its annual Royal Albert Hall concerts, where Daltrey curates performances featuring world-class artists. His commitment has had a transformative impact, funding specialized hospital units and care for teenagers with cancer across the UK.

Susanne Wuest

Susanne Wuest is an acclaimed Austrian actress celebrated for her compelling performances in international cinema. Born in Vienna, she garnered critical acclaim for her chilling portrayal in the psychological thriller Goodnight Mommy (2014), a role that showcased her ability to delve into complex, emotionally charged characters. Wuest’s versatility shines through her diverse body of work, including appearances in Perfume (2018), the acclaimed Netflix series Parfum, and I’ll Play Mother 2024). Beyond her acting achievements, she is a sought-after voice in the film industry and has served on prestigious juries at international film festivals including Venice and Sitges where her insight and experience continue to influence the next generation of filmmakers.

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Shubham Saraf

Shubham Saraf is a talented British-Indian actor celebrated for his captivating performances across stage, film, and television. Saraf earned an Evening Standard Theatre Award nomination, and has impressed audiences with his roles in projects like the Netflix series Criminal: UK (2019), where his portrayal of Detective Constable Kyle Petit earned critical acclaim, and the Apple TV+ series Shantaram (2022), in which he delivered a standout performance as the endearing Prabhu. On stage, Saraf has appeared in ‘The Father And The Assassin’ at the National Theatre (nominated best actor at the ES Awards), and ‘Enemy of The People’ on west end. Known for his versatility and depth, Saraf continues to gain recognition as a formidable star in British and international entertainment.

Alexa Jago

Alexa Jago is a British film producer, actor, and philanthropist whose career spans the UK and US film and theatre industries. A prominent voice in entertainment, she has held leadership roles within BAFTA and speaks globally on creativity, technology, and female empowerment—appearing at events like MOSAIC in France and the Creative Women Symposium at the UK Parliament. She champions emerging talent through Breaking Through the Lens and HollyShorts UK, and her credits include the BAFTA and BIFA-winning Kilo Two Bravo and a $250M studio deal via Genesis Media Capital. Her philanthropic work includes co-founding Caring for Courage and supporting women’s health through the SMILE Appeal, reflecting her commitment to inclusivity and innovation across industries.​

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Sadie Frost

Sadie Frost is an accomplished British actress, producer, and filmmaker, widely recognised for her dynamic contributions to both on-screen performances and behind-the-scenes storytelling. As a producer and director, she directed the feature documentary Quant (2021), a stylish exploration of the life and legacy of fashion icon Mary Quant, which earned critical acclaim for its inventive approach and premiered at the London Film Festival. Frost is also co-founder of the production company Blonde to Black Pictures, through which she has championed diverse and bold storytelling. Her involvement in the film industry extends to her participation in film awards and festivals. Frost has most recently completed her second directorial feature film ‘Twiggy’ which opened at The BFI London Film Festival 2024 to high praise. ​​

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Ben Charles Edwards

Ben Charles Edwards (Dreamtown Entertainmen and CIFF co-founder) is a British filmmaker, writer, producer and artist celebrated for his visually distinctive and emotionally resonant storytelling. Edwards, the co-founder of ‘Cine International Film Festival’ began his film career with his feature film ‘Set the Thames on Fire’ (2015), Upon the release, The British Film Institute remarked that "Charles Edwards’ has crafted distinctive, admirable work that seems to have emerged from the unseen margins of British cinema. "Quant (2021), The award winning documentary, and most recently directed ‘The Wheels of Heaven’, starring academy award nominee Mickey Rourke. Edwards has earned acclaim for his ability to blend striking visuals with original narratives. With a repertoire spanning over 30 films, Edwards has demonstrated remarkable versatility and creativity. His collaborations represent a distinguished roster of industry luminaries and esteemed talents.

Kirsty Bell

Kirsty Bell is a multi-award winning filmmaker, producer and prolific executive producer - having supported and provided finance for over 200 film and TV projects in the 10 years since she founded Goldfinch. This includes the 2023 Best Short Film Oscar and BAFTA winner “An Irish Goodbye”. She is known for her keen eye for compelling storytelling and innovative projects in independent cinema. Bell’s directorial debut, A Bird Flew In (2022), is a testament to her creativity and profound insight into the human condition exploring the impact of isolation during the first lockdown in the COVID-19 pandemic. She received widespread acclaim with over 30 festival selections and a tally of 28 award wins and nominations to date. Bell’s dedication to storytelling and her distinct creative voice continue to make her a significant figure in contemporary filmmaking. Bell is the co-founder of CIFF.

Paul Oakenfold

Paul Oakenfold is a British DJ, producer, and composer widely regarded as one of the pioneers of electronic dance music (EDM). Born in London, Oakenfold's career took off in the late 1980s when he introduced the Balearic beat sound to the UK after a transformative trip to Ibiza. He became a central figure in the global trance and house music scenes, producing chart-topping remixes for artists like U2, Madonna, and The Cure. Oakenfold's innovative approach earned him three Grammy nominations and led to collaborations with major film soundtracks, including The Matrix Reloaded and Swordfish. As a trailblazer, he has headlined festivals, performed at iconic venues like the Great Wall of China, and influenced generations of DJs with his electrifying live sets and studio productions.

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Jordan Bayne

Jordan Bayne is a visionary in entertainment, blending talents as an actor, writer, filmmaker, and creative technologist. She began her career alongside Martin Sheen in A Stranger in the Kingdom and appeared in acclaimed series like Poltergeist: The Legacy and Law & Order. On stage, she performed with James Gandolfini and Marisa Tomei. Her Oscar-contending short The Sea Is All I Know, starring Melissa Leo, earned critical acclaim. In 2021, she founded The Squad to explore Web3 filmmaking and coined "Film3" in 2022 — a model using blockchain, creator-owned IP, and community funding to democratize cinema. Bayne has spoken globally on Film3, including at Cannes, NAB, and the Italian Ministry of Culture. She continues to drive innovation and elevate underrepresented voices in film.

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Anna Smith

Anna Smith is a renowned British film critic, broadcaster, and journalist, celebrated for her insightful commentary and dedication to championing female voices in cinema. She is the founder and host of Girls on Film, an award-winning podcast that shines a spotlight on female perspectives in film, featuring discussions with filmmakers, actors, and critics. Smith has contributed to leading publications such as Time Out, The Guardian, and Sight & Sound, and is a regular commentator on television and radio, including BBC programs. Through her work on Girls on Film and her advocacy for diversity and equality in the industry, Smith has become a pivotal voice in shaping contemporary film discourse.

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Sarah Poole

Sarah Poole, an original member of the Goldfinch team, manages the day-to-day operations of the Goldfinch group of companies.  Additionally, Sarah runs Goldfinch's incubator programme for emerging filmmakers, First Flights, ensuring Goldfinch meets and builds strong relationships with the next generation of content creator. With a passion for nurturing emerging talent and promoting diversity in film/TV, she has served as a #Startwith8 UK mentor for three consecutive years and participated in guest panels at the British Urban Film Festival, London Independent Film Festival, and London Careers Festival.

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Diane Pernet

A Shaded View on Fashion Film (ASVOFF), founded in 2006 by fashion icon Diane Pernet, is an international festival celebrating the fusion of fashion and film. ASVOFF showcases innovative work from filmmakers, designers, and artists who challenge traditional industry boundaries. Rooted in Pernet’s belief in the storytelling power of both mediums, the festival has become a global platform for creativity, inclusivity, and avant-garde expression. Featuring short films, experimental pieces, music videos, and documentaries, all centered on fashion, ASVOFF spotlights emerging and established talent while offering sponsors access to a worldwide audience of cultural influencers.

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Hedda Lornie Archbold

Hedda Lornie Archbold is an arts consultant with over 25 years experience in producing film-related programming across all media.  The founding CEO of HLA Agency, she provides bespoke agency for broadcast talent, and creates film, television, podcasts and social media content, live events and awards ceremonies. She is the co-founder and executive producer of the award-nominated Girls On Film podcast, and annual Girls On Film Awards. Hedda is also creative producer behind the monthly Mark Kermode Live in 3D shows hosted by the BFI Southbank, which are podcast as Kermode on Film. Diversity, inclusion and equity are core to her work, and she collaborates with major industry partners including the BBC, BAFTA and Netflix. Hedda holds an MSc in Psychoanalysis and is an experienced jury member on film awards.