Nigerian filmmaker, Funa Maduka, who has been named as one of the three jury members of the 2023 edition of the world cinema dramatic competition, Sundance Film Festival.
The event which runs from January 19th to the 29th in Utah is an annual US project showcasing work from international independent filmmakers.
The Sundance Film Festival consists of competitive sections for dramatic and documentary films, both feature films and short films, as well as a group of out-of-competition sections. The awards for feature and short films will be announced on January 27th.
Funa Maduka is an award-winning filmmaker and the former head of International Original Films at Netflix where she worked with emerging filmmakers. Over six years, she was at the forefront of the company’s global expansion, managing the launch of the film offering across over 100 countries.
Maduka is credited with writing, producing, and directing the first Nigerian film to world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. She is also known for pioneering Netflix’s move into international film production, building a development slate across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Her acquisitions brought Netflix its first film nominations at the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.
The film executive holds a BA from Cornell University and a Master’s degree from Harvard Business School. The Sundance Film Festival is an important showcase for independent filmmakers and the inclusion of Maduka as a jury member is a testament to her expertise and experience in the industry.
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Joseph Omoniyi
