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The four EC Label Jury members are:

Maja Holek (Kino Velebit, Koprivnica, Croatia)

“Small town, big screen, zero boredom.”

Maja Holek is the headmistress of Pučko otvoreno učilište Koprivnica, where she oversees a wide range of educational, film and community programmes. Alongside this role, she is responsible for the programming of Cinema Velebit, with a strong focus on European films in recent years. Trained as a professor of French and Croatian, she brings pedagogical expertise and a solid commitment to cultural accessibility, audience development and lifelong learning. Her work focuses on film education, inclusive cinema practices, adult education, and the development of strategic cultural and educational partnerships at local and international levels. In 2024, she was a jury member at the Pula Film Festival, awarding the Croatian Independent Cinema Network prize.

Kristiina Saar (Tartu Elektriteater, Tartu, Estonia)

“As the only arthouse cinema in Tartu, we’re a cosy venue with a year-round programme of festivals and special screenings.”

Kristiina Saar’s love for film began at a very young age and remains one of her main passions. She is currently one of the cinema managers at Tartu Elektriteater, where she first volunteered for a season and has now been working for the past three and a half years. Alongside overall management, she is responsible for collaborations and special screenings. For many years, she has also been part of the organising teams of several Estonian film festivals. Film and cinema remain a field she is keen to continue exploring in the future.

Minna Nurmi (Cinema Orion, Helsinki, Finland)

“A historic Art Deco cinema in Helsinki, open since 1928, known for its diverse programme of classics, cult films and arthouse releases.”

Minna Nurmi has worked in film culture since 2013, focusing on festival production, programming and film education. She has served, among other roles, as programming director of the Savonlinna International Nature Film Festival and collaborated on the European film education project CinEd. Since 2019, she has been the cinema manager of Cinema Orion, an independent arthouse cinema in Helsinki.

Ute Mader (Kommunales Kino Leverkusen, Leverkusen, Germany)

“We offer films for children and adults, for schools, clubs, immigrants and other communities. Everybody is welcome in our school of visions.”

Ute Mader has been in the film sector since 1980 and has been responsible for the programming and organisation of her venue since 1990. She previously worked at an adult education centre, where she oversaw the language department. She also writes extensively about films from the global south for a magazine and is involved in promoting human rights–focused programmes, with a strong interest in cultural exchange and dialogue.

List of European films eligible for the Europa Cinemas Label:

ALLEGRO PASTELL by Anna Roller (Germany).
ÁRRU by Elle Sofe Sara (Norway / Sweden / Finland).
THE EDUCATION OF JANE CUMMING by Sophie Heldman (Germany / Switzerland / United Kingdom).
FOUR MINUS THREE  (Vier minus drei) by Adrian Goiginger (Austria / Germany).
I UNDERSTAND YOUR DISPLEASURE (Ich verstehe Ihren Unmut) by Kilian Armando Friedrich (Germany).
IVÁN & HADOUM by Ian de la Rosa (Spain / Germany / Belgium).
LONDON by Sebastian Brameshuber (Austria).
ONLY REBELS WIN by Danielle Arbid (France / Lebanon / Qatar).
PROSECUTION (Staatsschutz) by Faraz Shariat (Germany).
ROYA by Mahnaz Mohammadi (Germany / Luxembourg / Czech Republic / Iran).

The Europa Cinemas Label Award Ceremony will take place on Saturday, 21 February at noon in the Press Conference Hall of Grand Hyatt Berlin (Marlene-Dietrich-Platz 2, 10785 Berlin) in the framework of Berlinale's official award ceremony of Independent Juries.

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EC Label contacts:
Fatima Djoumer, CEO / fdjoumer@europa-cinemas.org
Lisa Püscher, International Event Coordinator / lpuescher@europa-cinemas.org
Charles McDonald, Press Officer / charles@charlesmcdonald.co.uk

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Berlinale