Every year, the Festival d’Art Pyrotechnique de Cannes sees pyrotechnicians from all over the world compete for the Vestale.

This trophy is hotly contested and internationally recognized as the prize for excellence in pyrotechnic art. The jury also awards the Prix du Jury to the pyrotechnician who stands out for originality.

The

2024 jury

Jean-Baptiste ANDREA

Writer, Screenwriter and Director

A graduate of the Institut d’études politiques de Paris in 1993 and the ESCP business school in 1966, he is now a writer, screenwriter and director.
His first novel, Ma reine, released in 2017, which tells the story of a boy who decides to leave home to fight in the war but instead finds friendship, received a dozen awards including the Prix Femina des lycéens and the Prix du premier roman.
Her fourth book, Veiller sur elle, published in 2023, was awarded the Prix Goncourt in November of the same year. This novel, which tells the story of a sculptor in Italy between the wars and tackles the theme of fascism and Mussolini’s rise to power, also won the Prix du roman Fnac.

Berthilde DUFOUR

First violin, super soloist with the Orchestre National de Cannes

Berthilde Dufour began playing the violin at the age of 5. She studied at the CNSM in Paris, where she obtained 1st prizes in violin and chamber music, and won several awards at international competitions: Genoa, Barcelona, Naples, Gorizia. She pursues a career as a concert and chamber musician, and is currently super solo violinist with the Orchestre National de Cannes.

Hélène JAMIN

Founder of Atelier Bon Sens and President of the République des Arts association

Hélène Jamin, founder of Atelier Bon Sens, is a creator of scented atmospheres with unique fragrances from the south of France, and President of the République des Arts association, which highlights artists, creators and craftspeople from the Cannes area.

Francesco CURCI

Choreographer

He studied dance at Progetto Danza Reggio Emilia, Zappalà Danza, Scuola del Balletto di Toscana and Codarts Rotterdam Dance Academy.
In the course of his professional career, he has danced as a freelancer and in various contemporary companies such as MM Company and Astra Roma Ballet in Italy, Station Zuid, Holland Dance Festival, Dance Works Rotterdam, Project Sally Maastricht and Conny Janssen Danst in Holland.
In 2013, Francesco Curci was nominated for “The Swan 2013”, the prestigious Dutch dance prize of the Theater and Concert Hall Management Association (VSCD), in the “Most Impressive Dancers” category for his role in Conny Janssen Danst’s “How Long Is Now”.
He became Professor of Contemporary Dance at PNSD Rosella Hightower in 2014, while continuing to be invited to teach abroad. He has also been the artistic coordinator of the annual show for PNSD Rosella Hightower since 2017.
Since 2007, Francesco has also been working as a freelance choreographer. He has composed several pieces that have been performed in Europe, Hong Kong and Japan.
In May 2021, driven by his need to devote more time to choreographic creation and research, Francesco founded the AMORPHOUS DANCE COMPANY.
Francesco also holds a degree in psychological and social research from Rome’s La Sapienza University (Faculty of Medicine and Psychology).
In addition to his activities as a choreographer and teacher, Francesco is regularly invited to chair juries at international dance competitions in France and abroad, sharing his expertise and passion for the art with new generations of talent.

Sylvie RUCHON

Advertising Manager at Cannes Radio

After starting her career as a press officer in the music industry, notably for the Casino de Paris, Sylvie Ruchon joined the NRJ Group (Régie 13/34), still in Paris, and spent 4 years as an advertising sales rep. After several positions as press advertising manager (Groupe Stratégie / Studio Magasine), she decided to return to the South of France for a peaceful life surrounded by her children, and has never left this beautiful region since.
However, this decision has not prevented her from continuing to support her customers in building their radio advertising strategy.

Kenneth Hurlen

Oliver Zeng

Kenneth Hurlen, Chief Shooter for Norwegian company North Star, won the special jury prize in 2023.

Oliver Zeng former fire chief of the Philippine Dragon Fireworks company who was awarded the special jury prize in 2017 as well as the Silver Vestal in 2018.