The Team Behind

Teresa Lavina - Festival Founder/Director

Teresa Lavina is a Spanish filmmaker, film producer, and film critic based in Galway, Ireland. Her work focuses on human rights and social justice. Born in Bilbao, Spain in 1975, she holds a First-Class Honours Degree in Film and Documentary and Academic Excellence in her Research Based Master's Degree in the Representation of Ethnic Minorities on Screen in Ireland.

Teresa is an accomplished documentary filmmaker. Her notable credits include *Untold Secrets* (2021), which was the first ever made Irish documentary which explores the abuses endured by survivors of Irish Mother and Baby Homes. *Mincéir*(2023), which highlights the culture and struggles of the Irish Traveller community. Other highlights include *Las Barreras: Un Relato de Dos Barrios*, *Breaking Barriers*, and *Las Casas Baratas de Romo: Cien Años de Historia*. Teresa is also a respected film critic in Spain and a frequently selected jury member for prestigious international festivals including SEMINCI, ZINEBI and Huesca International Film Festival where she has nominated short films for the Academy Awards. She is the director of two festivals: the Irish Film Festival in Spain, the first official Irish film festival in the country, and the Spanish Film Festival in Ireland (IBERSCREEN), both of which showcase her dedication to cultural exchange and cinema. Teresa co-created and directed the "Shot by the Sea" film festival in Galway, funded by Galway 2020.

One of her primary objectives remains collaborating with film schools and organizations to promote inclusion in the film industry, education and artistic dialogue. Her innovative storytelling and advocacy have established her as a leading voice in contemporary European cinema industry.

Ventana Sur, Cannes, Fantastic Pavillion, Sitges, Festival de Cine, Argentina, Uruguay

Bernardo Bergueret - Head of Latin-American Acquisitions

Bernardo Bergeret, is a cultural manager and a prominent figure in promoting Argentine cinema internationally. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1941 he started his career in his home country. He worked in record production, theater, and television, producing cultural works like *Un sabor a miel* and adapting plays such as *Victor o los niños en el poder*.

In cinema, Bergeret held key roles at the National Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (INCAA) as Director of Marketing and later as Director of International Affairs. In 2009, he co-founded Ventana Sur, the largest film market in Latin America, and launched *Blood Window*, a platform exclusively for Latin American genre films. His work has earned him international accreditation, including being named a "Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres" by the French government. With nearly seven decades of contributions to culture and film, Bergeret remains a leading advocate for Latin American arts globally.

Joy Harmon - Head of Communications

Joy Harmon is the Head of Communications for IBERSCREEN . Completely bilingual, she is a writer and communicator with a deep, instinctive understanding of cinema that feels almost innate cinema has been part of her life from birth.

Her work is driven by a profound love for storytelling, film language, and the cultural power of cinema as a tool for connection and dialogue.

With a sharp editorial eye and an intuitive grasp of both Spanish and English-speaking audiences, Joy bridges cultures with clarity, sensitivity, and intelligence.

Her writing combines precision with emotion, making complex cinematic ideas accessible while preserving their artistic depth. At IBERSCREEN, she shapes the festival’s voice with authenticity, ensuring that filmmakers, films, and audiences are communicated with respect, insight, and passion.

Nevenka Fernandez

Nevenka Fernández is a deeply valued member of the Spanish Film Festival Ireland board. Her presence brings integrity, courage, and a profound commitment to justice and ethical responsibility.

Nevenka is known internationally for her bravery in speaking out against abuse of power in Spain at a time when doing so came at an enormous personal cost. Her story marked a turning point in public awareness around institutional violence and the silencing of women, long before such conversations were widely accepted.

At SFFI, Nevenka’s voice is invaluable. She contributes not only lived experience, but also clarity, empathy, and a strong moral compass that helps guide the festival’s values, programming ethos, and commitment to social impact. Her involvement strengthens the festival’s mission to champion cinema that speaks truthfully, courageously, and humanely about the world we live in.

Katie Joyce - Head of Accessibility