US-based Egyptian film director Mohamed Youssef is to be a jury member at the Jersey City International Television and Film Festival.

The filmmaker, who says that he has been influenced by Egyptian directors, especially Khaled Youssef, hopes to become a “cinema ambassador” in the US, “blending Egyptian flavour with a Western eye for creativity”.

In 2012, Youssef received his filmmaking diploma from the New York Film Academy, where he continued to work as a teaching assistant.

He has directed a documentary and four short films, including Unknown Number, which has screened at five short film festivals in the US, and Pulse, which has been screened on American TV channel JUS TV.

His other films include On the Moon, The Call and My Country.

Launched in 2013, the Jersey International Television and Film Festival’s second edition will be held between 16 and 18 October.

The festival markets itself as providing educational and networking opportunities to filmmakers.