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SPEAKERS

Stephanie Hazle

President Women In Film

JAMAICA

Stephanie Hazle

President Women In Film

Stephanie Hazle Lyle hails from Kingston, Jamaica and being the first born of four children, she is everything you would expect in a big sister and then some. Always drawn to people and their stories, she pursued a bachelor’s degree in Media and Communication, and specialised in social marketing. With an appetite for creating social impact on the local and global stage, Stephanie formed the organization, Girls First International in 2017. She has an extensive background in the performing arts, and a former Miss Jamaica World Runner-Up title, making her no stranger to public presentation and audience engagement. Her career thus far has spanned involvement in theatre, film, advertising and communication. She proudly represents the Jamaican film community as the current President of Women in Film and Television Jamaica (WIFTJA).

Samad Davis

Netflix Series Producer

USA

Samad Davis

Netflix Series Producer

Samad Davis from USA stands at the crossroads of arts, technology, sports, and business, dedicating his work to fostering cultural bridges between the United States and Africa. As a U.S.-based entrepreneur, philanthropist, and international financier for film and television, Samad has carved an impressive career spanning well over two decade. His extensive business network, which spans the U.S., Africa, Europe, UAE, Asia, and India, underscores his commitment to cultivating business and trade opportunities between the U.S. private sector and Africa's burgeoning markets. His global partnerships have enabled him to seamlessly integrate diverse business sectors, uniting Hollywood with African content creation, marrying brands with content and ad agencies, and linking brands with his unique digital branding integration technology. The culmination of these efforts is a fusion with large-scale television networks and streaming platforms that reaches an international audience. Self-identifying as a Pan Africanist, Samad has journeyed across the length and breadth of Africa, visiting 18 countries and accumulating a deep understanding of the African landscape. This insight fuels his company, Pan Africa Group Holdings Trust. Beyond his impact in the film and media sectors, Samad's professional trajectory has also led him into the mining industry, a field he has dominated for nearly two decades. He has possessed mining assets between Western & Southern regions of Africa and has designed an all-encompassing blueprint for mining operations. As the leader of the African portfolio at VMF Exploration Services, Samad employs satellite exploration technology to identify precious metals with 98% accuracy, reaching depths of up to 8km. Leveraging his extensive global mining network, Samad has founded an investment branch within Pan Africa Group Holdings. This critical move has facilitated bringing mining assets online, with recent endeavors valued at more than $2 billion. These assets are pivotal in the ongoing electric vehicle revolution.

Angela White

Film Producer

USA

Angela White

Film Producer

Angela White, from USA is an esteemed film producer and Producers Guild of America member focuses on creating a lasting impact rather than chasing fame. With degrees from the University of Delaware, Rutgers University, and New York Law School, Angela uses her academic background to make a significant mark in the entertainment industry. She founded the production company Silver Lining Entertainment, the innovative online platform "Backstage Pass to the Movie Industry ®," and the charitable organization "Dreamers with Purpose." Angela is recognized for her pioneering work on the faith-based film "A Question of Faith" and her collaborations with prominent talent in productions such as “Who’s Cheating Who,” “A La Carte,” “The Inspection,” “Lace,” “Snap,” and the “Comedy Underground Series,” which she created. Taking on new challenges, Angela has expanded her talents into screenwriting and directing, with works like "Transgress" and the critically acclaimed "Hands Up" demonstrating her dynamic and evolving abilities. Her commitment to storytelling takes a global perspective with her upcoming film "Nine," set in Accra, Ghana. Angela's dedication to nurturing talent extends to mentoring the next generation, ensuring her vision continues to shape the future of film making.

GREG MAURICE

Founder ZAKA

Haitian-American

GREG MAURICE

Founder ZAKA

Greg Maurice is a proud Haitian-American who has harnessed his rich experiences, culture, and values to carve a remarkable path in the entertainment industry. With a staggering portfolio of over 500 acquired titles and a cumulative licensing revenue of over 150 million dollars from prominent platforms like Netflix HBO, BET, Hulu, Showtime, Starz, Allblk, and Amazon, he has proven himself as a visionary executive. Throughout his career, Greg has flourished in various renowned companies such as Fox, Big 3, and Redbull. However, his true breakthrough came when he spearheaded the launch of the Black vertical at eOne, igniting his passion for film and acquisition. Currently, Greg leads Filmhub's Black Cinema Acquisition and Distribution. Greg’s platform serves as a beacon for talented filmmakers from marginalized communities, providing them with the guidance and expertise they need to secure distribution deals and capitalize on their projects. As a reputable and successful Black executive, Greg understands the challenges faced by filmmakers, particularly those who don’t have a blueprint for success. He aims to empower individuals with invaluable strategies to monetize their films and avoid falling prey to exploitative systems.

Wendy Parkies

Champion for Global Media Collaborations

SOUTH AFRICA

Wendy Parkies

Champion for Global Media Collaborations

Wendy Parkies from South Africa is dedicated to fostering deeper content relationships between South Africa and the African diaspora in Canada, Jamaica, America, and most recently Korea. Through her active participation in global conferences and festivals, she has become a respected voice on cross-continental co-productions and global content distribution. Wendy has shared her insights on various global panels, emphasizing the importance of bridging cultural narratives and fostering partnerships in media, film, and television. Her work continues to unite diverse cultural perspectives, advancing the creative industries and strengthening connections between Africa and its diaspora.

Kevin Jackson

Senior Consulting Officer JAMPRO

JAMAICA

Kevin Jackson

Senior Consulting Officer JAMPRO

Kevin Jackson is the Senior Consilting Officer at the Janaica Film Commission, JAMPRO and the owner of the film and animation company, Imagine Kulture Media. He is an award-winning writer, director and animator as well as Jamaica’s premier fight choreography. He holds a MSc. Media Management, recipient of the prestigious Silve Musgrave Award for achievement in arts. He is the former President of the Jamaica Animation Nation Network and former director of Communications and Marketing for the Jamaica Film and Television Association. He is a lecturer at the University of the West Indies Mona and former lecturer at Vocational Training Development Institute and the Northern Caribbean University, where he lectured in the Animation, Film and Digital Media departments.

True Daley

Multimedia Journalist & Producer

CANADA

True Daley

Multimedia Journalist & Producer

True Daley is a first-generation Canadian of Jamaican descent with family roots in Malvern, St. Elizabeth which she considers her second home. She is an award-winning creative who has been recognized for her groundbreaking work within the arts, advocacy and technology. As a multimedia journalist her work has been featured in ByBlacks.com, The Toronto Star, CBC.ca and CTV.ca. In celebration of Jamaica’s 60th year of independence, True was featured in Diamond Jubilee Magazine as one of 60 most influential and impactful leaders of Jamaican heritage in Toronto. She is also the recipient of the 2021 Education Award by Urban Alliance on Race Relations for anti-Black racism as co-founder of the Black Student Success Committee. That same year, the tech founder received the Family Innovations grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation for the TRACIE app (Tracking Racism and Collecting Information in Education) which supports Black students in Canada’s largest school board. This multi-hyphenate (actor, singer/songwriter, filmmaker) delved into storytelling behind the camera as an emerging director and screenwriter in 2016 when her first short, Love Underground was selected for the Toronto Urban Film Festival. The short film screened on subway platforms throughout the city reaching over 1 million daily commuters. 2020 proved to be a breakout year for True. She was one of 8 emerging screenwriters chosen by BIPOC TV & Film to participate in a TV Comedy Writing workshop with creator, actor and playwright Ins Choi of the trailblazing CBC sitcom, Kim’s Convenience. Later that year BIPOC TV & Film also selected True for their Writing for Kids TV Intensive Workshop. She is currently developing a comedic series, There Goes The Neighbourhood while training under award-winning showrunner, screenwriter and comedian Anthony Farrell of CanFro Productions. Her documentary BOSSLADYSK8 follows the life of Sasha Senior, the first Black woman in Canada to own a skateboarding business. As the director and co-producer, her film has been supported by the Toronto Arts Council, Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council of the Arts, Charles Street Video, Documentary Organization of Canada, Black Women Film! Canada, Hire Higher and Netflix. BOSSLADYSK8 will be making its Caribbean premiere at the 2025 BRFF.

Ruth Phume

Media Specialist

SOUTH AFRICA

Ruth Phume

Media Specialist

With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ruth Phume is a dynamic and creative professional specializing in content creation, media production, and strategic communications. She is the proud owner and operator of two television stations, further showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in the media space. Her expertise spans television, digital media, radio, and print, highlighting her versatility and unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful content. Known for her exceptional storytelling abilities, Ruth has a proven track record of engaging diverse audiences and elevating brands through compelling visual and written narratives. Throughout her illustrious career, Ruth Phume has collaborated with leading media houses, production companies, and digital platforms, contributing to award-winning projects and campaigns. Her work continues to inspire and shape the media landscape, making her a driving force in the industry.

Diane De La Haye

Jamaican-Canadian Director

JAMAICA

Diane De La Haye

Jamaican-Canadian Director

Diane De La Haye is an award winning Jamaican-Canadian Director, Executive Producer and Screenwriter with over 10 years experience collaborating with filmmakers from around the world on Features, Documentaries and TV series. She is skilled in all aspects of movie production, especially for cross-cultural and multinational storylines, drawing from her own dual-citizen experience to enrich her work, team building and on-set dynamics Diane is currently Head Writer on Seasons 1 and 2 of “The Wonderful Counsellor” as well as the autobiographical “Fab 4” franchise, and looks forward to the 2025 release of “Sanskrit to Sas-krice,” “Of Cod and Rum: The Newfoundland Connection,” “Fab 4 in Cockpit Country” and the book-to-screen adaptation of "Blinded by the Brass Ring." As a Business Partner and Board Member at MBI Productions (Toronto), she oversees a variety of projects including "Shalom Jamaica" (from the Out-Of-Many-One-People franchise), "Cut from a Different Cloth," "Buckskin & Barkcloth" and "Hot Buttons," while also teaching “The Business of Film” courses and workshops. Diane is a member of the Conch Shell Productions New York Artist Collective for 2025-26 as well as Black Women in Film Canada.

CURATORS & ORGANIZERS

Dr Ava Eagle Brown

Organizer

Wentworth Kelly

Curator

Soessia Nixon Kelly

Curator

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