Berlin Film Festival picks Lupita Nyong’o to lead 2024 jury

Lupita Nyong’o, the acclaimed actress who won an Academy Award for her roles in “Black Panther” and “12 Years A Slave,” is set to lead the jury for the upcoming Berlin Film Festival, according to organizers’ announcement on Monday.

Rising to fame with her award-winning portrayal of the brutalized slave Patsy in Steve McQueen’s historical drama “12 Years A Slave,” the Mexican-Kenyan actress has consistently chosen roles that delve into the African diaspora and address themes of race.

Notable recent performances include her role as Nakia in Marvel Studios’ groundbreaking “Black Panther” (2018) and its 2022 sequel, as well as her lead role in Jordan Peele’s 2019 psychological horror “Us.”

In addition to her film work, Nyong’o has ventured into stage and television, and she is currently in the process of developing a series based on the novel “Americanah” by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

The Berlinale jury, responsible for selecting winners of the prestigious Golden and Silver Bears, plays a crucial role in one of the most sought-after awards in the international film festival circuit, alongside Cannes and Venice.

“Lupita Nyong’o embodies what we like in cinema: versatility in embracing different projects, addressing different audiences, and consistency to one idea,” Berlinale directors Mariette Rissenbeek and Carlo Chatrian said in a statement.