In a recent announcement on Monday, organizers revealed that Lupita Nyong’o, the Academy Award-winning actress celebrated for her roles in “Black Panther” and “12 Years A Slave,” will chair the jury for the upcoming Berlin Film Festival in 2024. The Mexican-Kenyan actress gained widespread recognition for her impactful portrayal of the brutalized slave Patsy in the historical drama “12 Years A Slave,” a performance that earned her an Oscar. Known for selecting roles that explore the African diaspora and address themes of race, Nyong’o has also played the female lead Nakia in Marvel Studios’ groundbreaking film “Black Panther” (2018) and its 2022 sequel. Additionally, she starred in Jordan Peele’s 2019 psychological horror film “Us.”
Beyond her film career, Nyong’o has ventured onto the stage and television, currently working on a series adaptation of Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Americanah.” The Berlin Film Festival, known as Berlinale, is an annual event in the German capital, and its prestigious jury, led by Nyong’o, will determine the recipients of the coveted Golden and Silver Bears. Festival directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian praised Nyong’o, stating that she embodies qualities highly valued in cinema, such as versatility, the ability to engage diverse audiences, and a commitment to a singular artistic vision.
