Sydney Film Festival 2015: Pen-ek, Aihara Hiromi Join Competition Jury

The 2015 Sydney Film Festival has announced the jury in charge of judging the 12 titles in the Official Competition, which "recognises courageous, audacious and cutting-edge film." The winner will take home the Sydney Film Prize and A$60,000 cash.

This year's jury will be headed by Australian film producer Liz Watts (Animal Kingdom, Home Song Stories, Jewboy). The jury members include Thai filmmaker Pen-ek Ratanaruang (6ixtynin9, Last Life In The Universe), Japanese producer Aihara Hiromi (TETSUO II, Tokyo Fist, Last Life in the Universe, Invisible Waves), Executive Director of the Austrian Film Commission Martin Schweighofer and Australian screenwriter Andrew Bovell (Strictly Ballroom, Lantana, A Most Wanted Man). 

This year's Official Competition titles include:  

• Arabian Nights (Portugal, France, Germany, Switzerland)

• Black Souls (Italy)

• The Daughter (Australia) 

• Me And Earl And The Dying Girl (USA) 

• A Pigeon Sat On A Branch Reflecting On Existence (Sweden, Norway, France, Germany) 

• Sherpa (Australia, Nepal) 

• Strangerland (Australia, Ireland )

• Tales (Iran) 

• Tangerine (USA) 

• Tehran Taxi (Iran) 

• Victoria (Germany)

• Vincent (France) 

The winner will be announced at the Festival's Closing Night ceremony at the State Theatre on June 14.