Jonathan Jakubowicz, winner of the German Film Peace Prize 2020 for his film "Resistance", is Venezuela's most celebrated filmmaker and writer. His film Secuestro Express was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the British Independent Film Awards and was a New York Times "Critics' Pick" in 2005. Jakubowicz has helped new talents break into international stardom. Among those who credit him for giving them their first high profile role are Ana de Armas, Edgar Ramirez, Jurnee Smollet, Matthias Schweighoefer and Bella Ramsey. Jakubowicz is Jewish of Polish descent.