Martin
Jalfen

about the jury

Martin Jalfen is an award-winning director known for blending sharp visual storytelling with offbeat humor. He began his career as a celebrated copywriter and creative director at agencies like DDB, Publicis, and The Community, before transitioning fully into directing. His work stands out for its meticulous art direction, precise comic timing, and distinct narrative style. 

Martin has directed hundreds of commercials, music videos, and short films. His short The Blindness of the Woods won the Canal+ Award at Clermont-Ferrand and was selected at Sundance Festival. With Silver Crocodile for Sundance TV, he was selected to be part of the Saatchi and Saatchi New Talent Directors at Cannes Lions. 

He has collaborated with artists like Benjamin Biolay and Vanessa Paradis, and in 2018 directed 24 Hours, a Red Bull documentary set during Rio’s Carnival. His Red Cross commercial Stray Bullet (with music by Thom Yorke) won multiple Cannes Lions and a Craft Grand Prix at El Ojo. 

In 2023, he directed Bienvenido, a powerful short about a 15-year-old soccer prodigy from Misiones facing prejudice and homophobia. The film premiered at the Rome Film Festival. 

Martin is co-founder of Roma, named Ibero-America’s Best Production Company at El Sol Festival in 2025.