Small Axe Jury Announced

Jeremy Hardy – Comedian.

Jeremy is well known for his Radio appearances including; Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation, The News Quiz and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue as well as TV including; Saturday Live, Blackadder Goes Forth, QI, and Mock the Week. He has been in films; Hotel, How To Be, Jeremy Hardy vs the Israeli Army. He writes books; When Did You Last See Your Father, Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation,  and My Family and Other Strangers and of course he performs continuously as a stand-up comedian.

Leila Sansour – Documentary film maker and Founder of Open Bethlehem

Leila was one of the first producers at Al Jazeera having worked on the channel’s leading documentary series. She currently works for ITN news and is best known in the UK for her film “Jeremy Hardy vs The Israeli Army” (2003). Her latest feature documentary ‘Open Bethlehem’ will be released in the UK in Christmas 2014. The film is a deeply personal story that charts the creation of a campaign called Open Bethlehem, an initiative that works to save the city and bring down the wall.

Paul Watson – Documentary producer and director.

Paul’s first major award was an SFTA in 1969. He went on to bring reality TV to Britain with the 1974 series ‘The Family’ and has not stopped since. His credits include:  the ’40 Minutes’ series (1980’s/90’s)  Sylvania Waters (1992); The Home (1996); Malcom and Barbara: A Love Story(1999) and Loves Farewell (2007);  Rain in My Heart (2006).

He has picked up a string of awards and nominations including a Grierson, Prix Europa, RTS and in 2008 he was awarded a  BAFTA ‘Special Award for Outstanding Creative Contribution to the industry’.

Reuben Irving – Co-founder of the Tolpuddle Radical Film Festival.

Reuben teaches film production at the university of Worcester. Before joining the university Reuben worked for many years as an editor in documentary and fiction. As a co-director of Gorilla Cinema he worked as a community activist and producer as well as setting up and touring with the solar powered mobile cinema.