FILMS FOR THE FOREST

Judges Panel

A highly distinguished panel of judges selected this year’s films, and Rainforest Partnership expresses deep gratitude for their time and talents.

Richard Linklater

Born in Houston, Texas, Richard Linklater suspended his education at Sam Houston State University in 1982 to work on an offshore oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. He subsequently relocated to the state's capital of Austin, where he founded a film society and began work on his debut film, “It's Impossible to Learn to Plow by Reading Books” (1988). 

Three years later, Linklater released “Slacker” (1990), an insightful, virtually plotless look at 1990s youth culture that became a favorite on the festival circuit prior to earning vast acclaim at Sundance in 1991. Upon its commercial release, the movie, made for less than $23,000, became the subject of considerable mainstream media attention, with the term "slacker" becoming a much-overused catch-all tag employed to affix a name and identity to America's disaffected youth culture.

Linklater’s other films include “Dazed and Confused” (1993), “Before Sunrise” (1995), “Waking Life” (2001), “School of Rock” (2003), “Before Sunset” (2004), “A Scanner Darkly” (2006) and “Before Midnight” (2013). He gained critical acclaim for his film “Boyhood” (2014), which took 12 years to film and won him a BAFTA for Best Director and Best Picture, Golden Globe and Critics’ Choice Movie Award. He also earned nominations for the Academy Award for Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay.

Sten Saluveer

Sten-Kristian Saluveer is Academy Award nominated, Estonia / Japan based audiovisual media innovation and policy strategist, audiovisual producer, and content & technology entrepreneur focusing on bridging Asia with Europe and the impact of exponential technologies on the content industry and policymaking sector. He is the Founder of Storytek Creative Accelerator / storytek.eu/ - bringing together deep audiovisual sector knowledge, technology and funding with a selection of hand-picked global tech entrepreneurs and content creators.

Sten holds a BA in Electronic Media (film and television production, communications) from Concordia University Estonia, MA in Interdisciplinary Information Studies with Honors from The University of Tokyo, and is currently finishing his PhD dissertation in UTokyo on the disruption of technology and IP to the film and festival industries . He has further educated himself in New Media & Communications (Jönköping University, Sweden), Cultural Management (Estonian Music Academy), and Japanese Studies (Tallinn University, Estonia).

Over the years has served as a Key Executive and Industry Director and Asian programmer for Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival - one of the 15 A class film festivals in the world, the Festival Director of Haapsalu Horror & Fantasy Film Festival, the CEO of Plektrum - the Festival of Visual Sound, the first multidisciplinary new media, technology and arts festival in Estonia, and has served as a jury member, innovation and technology consultant and advisor for several festivals, and governmental organizations - the Estonian Ministry of Culture, European Commission, the European Capital of Culture, The Open Estonia Foundation, Helsinki-Tallinn Euregio, the Cannes Marche du Film, Estonian National Broadcasting, and the Udine Far East Film Festival/Ties That Bind, to name a few on the impact of exponential technologies, digital transformation of media industries, co-productions, film, restoration, technology and media digitalization and policy for Asian-European collaboration and the content sector at large.

Sten has been the driving force behind the pioneering film collaboration agreement between the Sten holds a BA in Electronic Media (film and television production, communications) from Concordia University Estonia, MA in Interdisciplinary Information Studies with Honors from The University of Tokyo, and is currently finishing his PhD dissertation in UTokyo on the disruption of technology and IP to the film and festival industries . He has further educated himself in New Media & Communications (Jönköping University, Sweden), Cultural Management (Estonian Music Academy), and Japanese Studies (Tallinn University, Estonia). Korean Film Council and Estonian Film Institute, and has kickstarted Asian co-productions with Northern Europe including Angry Painter (2014, Korea-Estonia, dir. Jeon Kyuhwan), Man and Woman (2015, Korea, dir. Lee Joon ki,) Dearest Sister (2016, Laos-France-Estonia dir. Mattie Do) - Academy Award Nominee 2017, and Magic Kimono (2017, Japan-Latvia, dir. Maris Martinsons).

Sten frequently talks and writes on content, technology and Asia related topics for local and international media including Eesti Ekspress, Müürileht and Screen International amongst others. He occasionally producers and supervises music, technology and Asia related creative projects and events, composes, and is the father of one.

LUCK

An expert at weaving differing elements of rock, hip-hop and R&B together, singer-songwriter Luck has arrived on the scene. The LA-based musician is making her mark on the music industry with her newest single, “Higher” inspired by her desire to step into her own divinity. As she prepares for the release of her debut album, the upbeat record gives the newcomer a chance to showcase her impressive vocal range to new audiences.

While the songstress expresses herself creatively through emotive lyricism and powerful vocals, she also flourishes as a creative in the fashion space. Aiming to celebrate and cater to all of humanity as well as dissolve age old stereotypes, Luck launched the unisex jewelry brand, F.O.P. (For Other People | For Our People). The jewelry — which includes silver chokers, bracelets and body chains — is both eclectic and elegant, effortlessly channeling the singer’s artistic flair for fashion-minded individuals.

Luck’s artistry in all mediums across music and fashion document the outcomes of her affirmations, prayers and perseverance over time, particularly in her thoughtful verses on “Higher” and her upcoming album. She’s redefining the cultures of music and fashion and injecting her unique style into it.

If you would like to collaborate, contribute to or sponsor Films for the Forest, please email us at films@rainforestpartnership.org.
Want to stay looped in?
Sign up for our newsletter!
Stay updated with film specific announcements and news.
You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.