Jialing Zhang is an independent filmmaker based in Beijing and Massachusetts. She is co-director and editor of Complicit, a feature documentary that follows the journey of a benzene-poisoned Chinese migrant worker who takes on the global electronic manufacturing industry. The film premiered at HRWFF in London in Mar. 2017. Lynn also freelances as a local producer for various programs and media including Vice on HBO, Fusion TV, the New York Times, and independent documentary projects.

Nanfu Wang is an Emmy-nominated and Peabody-winning filmmaker based in New York City. Wang’s feature debut Hooligan Sparrow was shortlisted for the 2017 Academy Award for best documentary feature. Since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival 2016, it has won over twenty awards internationally including two Emmy Nominations, a Peabody Award, a Cinema Eye Honor award, the George Polk Award, an IDA award, and an Independent Spirit Award. Her second feature documentary I Am Another You premiered at the SXSW Film Festival in 2017, won two special jury awards at the festival, and opened theatrically in September 2017.

Olivier Sarbil is an award-winning French documentary director and Emmy-winning cinematographer based in London. Over the past decade, Olivier has covered conflicts and critical social issues across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and North America. With strong visual storytelling, Olivier’s films are intimate and human, conveying emotions through beautiful and cinematic imagery. His work has been recognised with awards from a variety of organisations, including, Emmy for Outstanding Cinematography, DuPont, Royal Television Society, One World Media, Overseas Press Club of America, Broadcast Awards, Bayeux-Calvados for war correspondents (twice), Golden Nymph, Rory Peck, Venice TV Award, Frontline Club, Grand Award and Gold Medal at the New York Festivals International TV & Film. His imagery has also garnered a BAFTA Nomination for Best Cinematography.

Maryam Zaree was born in 1983 in Teheran/Iran. Fleeing political persecution, her mother brought Maryam with her to Germany when she was two. She grew up in Frankfurt am Main and studied acting in the renowned film school Konrad-Wolf in PotsdammBabelsberg. She has played lead roles in a dozen feature films, worked for theatre and Television and has been awarded for her performances. In 2018 she received a “Grimme Preis” for her performance in the TV show “4 Blocks.” Her first theatre play “Kluge Gefühle” received the Author’s Prize of the Heidelberg Stückemarkt and has been performed in multiple theaters. Born in Evin is her debut feature film.

As a screenwriter and filmmaker, Eunice seeks to bring a cinematic form to her documentary films to evoke visceral emotions in audience. Her feature documentary “A-Town Boyz” is the recipient of Spike Lee Fellowship, and her short film “Through the Fire” was a finalist at the 2013 Student Academy Awards. "Accept the Call" is a continuum of her exploration on the definition of the American identity and capturing the journey of the immigrant.

Hassan Fazili developed plays and television shows in his native Afghanistan, in addition to documentaries and short films. His short films include Life Again! (2009) and Mr. Fazili’s Wife (2011). Of his decision to document his family’s flight from Afghanistan in Midnight Traveler, he says, “I feel that our family’s experience is not unique to us and is an important part of human history and must be preserved and seen by all.”

Hassan Fazili developed plays and television shows in his native Afghanistan, in addition to documentaries and short films. His short films include Life Again! (2009) and Mr. Fazili’s Wife (2011). Of his decision to document his family’s flight from Afghanistan in Midnight Traveler, he says, “I feel that our family’s experience is not unique to us and is an important part of human history and must be preserved and seen by all.”

YING Liang (1977, China) graduated from the Department of Directing at the Chongqing Film Academy and Beijing Normal University. He made several successful short films before directing his first feature, Taking Father Home (2005). In 2006, he made The Other Half, which was supported by the Hubert Bals Fund of IFFR. In 2010, his short film Condolences won a Tiger Award for Short Films in Rotterdam. When Night Falls (2012) won prizes for best directing and best leading actress in Locarno.