Julia Mücke

EMI Music Former Creative & Commercial Director, Judge

Julia grew up near Edersee in Northern Hesse as the daughter of a hotelier family, where she learned discipline, customer service and the value of good humour. At 19, she moved to Cologne to work for EMI Music, spending eight years in marketing for musicians and bands.

Anticipating the growing influence of MySpace and Facebook, Julia began producing social media content for artists and labels. In 2009, she became a content creator and filmmaker, teaching herself camera work, directing and editing.

Today, Julia works full-time as a commercial director, specialising in storytelling, dialogue and comedy. Music remains central to her work, and she places particular importance on creating a positive, collaborative atmosphere on set. She would also like to direct more car commercials—eventually.

To showcase her skills in directing, screenwriting and English-language dialogue, Julia wrote and directed the 12-minute short film Todd & The Toad, which she describes as a "Twisted Screwball Romantic Comedy."

Since 2021, Julia has served as a jury member for the Deutscher Werbefilmpreis. In her next life, she plans to become a precision driver

Patrik Pira 

Collaborated with SVT & TV4 Productions, Judge

Patrik Pira is a Swedish cinematographer and musician who has worked on international feature films and award-winning documentaries. He has co-owned a production company involved in A-listed features and Hollywood co-productions, collaborating with Swedish writers, directors, and broadcasters including SVT and TV4. He is currently presenting a multi-award-winning feature documentary developed over more than ten years and selected at festivals in Paris, New York, and Los Angeles.

Jeff Ragovin

Cannes Lions Speaker & Documentary Producer, Judge

Jeff Ragovin is the director and executive producer of Bounty Uncharted, a cinematic documentary series exploring the challenges, untold stories and transformative journeys behind extraordinary people and bold ideas.

With decades of experience as a technology entrepreneur, Jeff brings a distinctive perspective to documentary storytelling. He co-founded Buddy Media, an enterprise social marketing platform acquired by Salesforce for $745 million, and later served as CEO of Semasio through its acquisition by Samba TV. His work is driven by a fascination with the risk, persistence and vision behind innovation.

Based in the Hamptons, Jeff's creative outlook is also shaped by his connection to the ocean, sustainability and hands-on experience in oyster farming. A passionate cook and host, he approaches storytelling as a communal experience built on authenticity and emotional connection.

Working with producer and cinematographer Michael Cuomo (@montaukair), Jeff creates immersive narratives that balance intellectual curiosity with emotional depth. A respected voice in technology and innovation, he has spoken at SXSW, PTTOW, Cannes Lions, CES and Forbes.

Jeff Hinz

Internationally Screened Award-Winning Filmmaker, Judge

Jeff Hinz is an award-winning AI filmmaker, creative director, and educator working at the intersection of storytelling, emerging technology, and visual culture. With a background in advertising and branded content, his work explores emotionally driven micro-narratives, experimental filmmaking, and AI-native production pipelines. Jeff's films have screened internationally, and he regularly collaborates with brands, studios, and creative teams to push cinematic storytelling forward. He also teaches and mentors the next generation of visual storytellers.

Iris Vignola

Award-Winning Fantasy Trilogy Author, Judge

Iris Vignola is an Italian poet, fairy-tale writer, fantasy author, and screenwriter based in La Spezia. Her fantasy trilogy Dynasty of Light (La Stirpe di Luce) has received multiple literary and screenplay awards in Italy and internationally, and in 2024 she was awarded the title of Academic of Merit by the Cicerone Academy.

Sara Serinelli

Assistant Producer & Director Based in Milan, Judge 

Sara Serinelli is an Assistant Producer and Assistant Director based in Milan, originally from Lake Como. She began her career in Paris as an Assistant Editor before moving into production and later returning to Italy. She is currently writing her first feature film while developing her creative practice through short films and theatre. 

Samuel Taylor 

Published Author & Gospel Recording Artist, Judge 

Samuel Lee Taylor served as Associate Minister at Lubbock Street Church of Christ in Texas, from 1980 to 1984. During this time, he wrote and published 2 gospel booklets ("Somebody Help Us Find the Way" and "What Choice Would You Make in a Slippery Situation?"), as well as recorded a gospel album ("What Train Will You Ride").

But, the catastrophic and life altering traumas he experienced in his personal life, unmercifully catapulted Samuel L Taylor into a disturbing "Twilight Zone" world and for more than 38 years, he struggled mentally, spiritually and emotionally to write, while painfully living, At The Mercy Of Faith!

Davide De Gregorio 

Award-Winning Music Video Director, Judge