Past Editions

Mexican Documentary Jury

Heidi Ewing

As co-owner of the New York-based production company Loki Films, Heidi has broached a wide range of subjects that include the inner workings of Scientology, ritualistic body piercing in Sri Lanka, and the labyrinth of the criminal justice system in the Bronx. Previously, she delved into the dramatic world of Cuban politics with Dissident, a film about the struggle of Havana-based Nobel Peace Prize nominee Oswaldo Payá; it was made clandestinely and has been shown around the world. She recently co-directed the critically acclaimed The Boys of Baraka.

Leena Pasanen

Finnish, born in 1965. Leena Pasanen studied Finnish Philology and Literature at Oulu University. She began her carrier as a journalist in 1988 working at the Finnish News Agency and in 1993 she joined YLE, the Finnish Broadcasting Company, where she worked as a reporter, political commentator, and TV presenter. From 1999 to 2000 she was the Head of Documentaries for YLE TV1. When the YLE digital cultural channel Teema was launched, Leena Pasanen was cho sen as Head of Programming. Since 2004 she has also been the YLE Deputy Director. In November 2005 she started her work as the director of the European Documentary Network.

Sean Farnel

Director of Programming for Hot Docs, Canadian International Documentary Festival (April 17-27, 2008). Hot Docs is North America?s largest documentary film festival, co-financing forum and market. Sean was appointed to this newly created position in November 2005, following six years as a programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival Group.

In 2000, Sean became the first documentary programmer for TIFFG, while also launching the Festival Group?s hugely successful screening and discussion series, Reel Talk. While at TIFFG, Sean also founded Jump Cuts and the Student Film Showcase, continuing programmes created to provide screening opportunities to youth and emerging filmmakers. Along with curation, Sean managed TIFFG?s Learning programmes, and in 2003 proposed and drafted a Strategic Plan for Public Film Education.

Sean began his association with Hot Docs in 2000, when he founded Doc Soup, a very popular screening series. Now in its sixth season, and presented by Hot Docs, Doc Soup attracts 800 people to monthly screenings of current documentary. Before being appointed Director of Programming at Hot Docs, Sean was responsible for programming and moderating Industry related programming for the Festival.

Sean is a graduate of Cinema Studies at one of Canada?s most respected film schools, Concordia University. Upon graduation, Sean received the Motion Picture Foundation of Canada Award for Most Outstanding Achievement.