JURY

EXPERIENCING THE CULTURE, SHARING THE VISION

At Hip Hop Cinefest, we believe that to judge a story about the culture, you must first understand its rhythm, its struggles, and its language. Our international jury is a unique blend of visionary filmmakers, academic researchers, and active practitioners from across the globe.

From pioneering B-girls and graffiti writers to award-winning directors and scholars, each member brings a lifetime of dedication to the four disciplines. They are the gatekeepers of authenticity, bridging between the street and the screen.

Meet the team dedicated to celebrating Hip Hop as a powerful tool for social change, artistic innovation, and global community.

GIULIA CHIMP GIORGI

A polyhedric force in the scene and a member of the Wild Up B-girl crew, Giulia is a dedicated Hip Hop activist and filmmaker. She has spearheaded numerous international youth exchanges supported by the EU and organized landmark events such as The B-Boy Event. Her filmography includes the acclaimed documentaries 1 World Under a Groove, Break the Siege, and her latest work, Remapping Rome: An Hip Hop Story. She also helmed experimental projects like The Antisexist Manifesto in Italian Rap and Sobreviviente. Co-founder of Baburka Production, Giulia is the Artistic Director and visionary behind HipHopCineFest.org.

 FEDERICO GAFETO PEIXOTO

A prominent Costa Rican filmmaker, Federico Peixoto has been a cornerstone of the Hip Hop scene since the 1990s. He founded Gafeto TV, a pioneering platform documenting Central American underground culture and international icons like DJ Muggs and Sean Paul. A versatile artist and DJ, Peixoto directed the acclaimed documentary Tlacuilos, which explores the graffiti movement across Central America. Beyond his creative work, he is  the Director of Hip Hop Cinefest Costa Rica, further cementing his role as a key leader in promoting urban cinema and culture on a global scale.

APOLONIA

Born in Caracas, Apolonia was chosen by Hip Hop in the late 80s in Germany. As migrant, she found in Rap a unique identity that set her apart. After studying audiovisual production, she joined the pioneering crew La Corte at 19, becoming Venezuela’s first female rapper. Over the last 25 years, she has evolved into a global creative producer, weaving connections under the flag of Hip Hop as a “symbolic country.” Currently, Apolonia directs MELAH (Movement of Latin American Hip Hop Expressions), serves as a consultant and co-executive producer for the Global Summit for Empowerment and Culture and as active promoter of Hip Hop Cinefest.

RAQUEL DELGADO

Based in Badalona, Raquel Delgado is a multifaceted philologist, poet, and performance artist whose work bridges language and rhythm. A key figure in the international scene, she is a cultural producer and the Deputy Executive Director of the global organization Hip Hop Works. Deeply committed to the cinematic representation of urban culture, she also leads the Hip Hop Cinefest Barcelona as its Director. Her career is dedicated to fostering global connections and elevating the artistic discourse of Hip Hop through education, performance, and international festivals.

GIUSEPPE “NEXUS” GATTI

A Research Fellow and lecturer at the University of Turin, Giuseppe Gatti specializes in Film and Media studies, with a focus on North American cinema and its interaction with Hip Hop culture. He has authored several academic essays and two monographs, including Stradario hip-hop (2020) e Made with Italy (2026). Beyond academia, he is widely known as b-boy “Nexus” (Urban Force Crew). With over 25 years in the scene, he has worked as a director, performer, and dance judge. Nexus currently bridges theory and practice as the Italian co-representative of the European Hip Hop Studies Network.

NADJA HAREK

An accomplished filmmaker and actress, Nadja Harek has spent over twenty years exploring Hip Hop culture, identity, and exile through both fiction and documentary. After an academic background focused on Scorsese, she transitioned from camera operator and editor to an award-winning director. Her filmography includes acclaimed works such as B-Girls and Mayotte Hip hop (r)évolution, alongside the deeply personal Ma famille entre deux Terres, which won the Grand Prize at the Tangier Festival. Beyond directing, Nadja continues to collaborate with renowned filmmakers and stars in the France TV series Reuss.

LAURENSCHOLTZ

A South African screenwriter, actress, and independent filmmaker, Lauren Scholtz brings over 15 years of experience as a TV commercial producer to the cinematic world. After earning her BA Honours in Film Studies, she transitioned into screenwriting and currently writes for three prominent South African telenovelas. Lauren made a significant directorial debut with the award-winning feature documentary Die Brasse Vannie Kaap, which explores the legacy of the iconic Cape Town Hip Hop collective. Combining industry expertise with a passion for local narratives, she is a vital voice in documenting the evolution of South African urban culture.

DAVID DMT  

Born in Bogotá in 1998, David DMT is a Colombian social communicator, journalist, and audiovisual creator whose work is deeply rooted in Hip Hop as a tool for social transformation. His acclaimed research project, Unbreakable Memories: Hip Hop and Photography as Witness, explores the movement as a living archive of historical memory and resistance. This vision culminated in his documentary short film, which won the Social Justice Award at the Hip Hop Cinefest in Rome. Since then, David has expanded his local narratives into a global dialogue across Europe, reaffirming Hip Hop as a universal language that dignifies invisible stories and empowers future generations.