MEET THE JURY

Wafa'a is a Lebanese / French actress, writer and director, and has been acting since the age of 5. Recently, she starred in award-winning Brazilian director Marcelo Gomes' new film Portrait of a Certain Orient, and played in renowned Pan-Arab series Bride of Beirut (Aroos Beirut), as well as toured with the successful theatre play Mafroukeh.

Wafa'a has written and directed various films, series, plays and musicals - including dance films, that were screened and performed internationally and won several awards.

She is also the director of the Lebanese Film Festival since 2015, and taught film at the Lebanese American University from 2008 to 2019.

Recently, she served as Head Jury of Africa International Film Festival 2024.

Wafa’a speaks French, Arabic, English, Spanish and Portuguese.
JOHN NJAMAH is a distinguished professional in the film and television industry, renowned for his versatility as an actor, writer, director, and producer. Over the years, he has demonstrated exceptional expertise, contributing significantly to various productions across multiple platforms.

A graduate of Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, John majored in Directing under the tutelage of the legendary Prof. Ola Rotimi. His extensive experience spans stage.
Josephine Obudo 
Film Sound Mixer | Educator 

Josephine Obudo is a seasoned filmmaker with expertise in sound production for films, documentaries, TV series, commercials, and corporate projects. She holds a BA in Film Technology from Kenyatta University and over a decade of experience, and is committed to crafting immersive audio that enhances storytelling.

As Head of Sound at EbonyLife Creative Academy, Josephine trained over 200 students, guiding 70 to achieve Avid Pro Tools Specialist Certification. She also supervised sound production for more than 50 short films and helped establish the academy as the sole Avid Learning Partner in West, East, and Central Africa.

An AVID ProTools Post-Production Certified Instructor, accomplished Supervising Sound Editor, Production Sound Mixer, and Sound Designer, Josephine is passionate about mentoring emerging talent and delivering world-class audio for diverse media projects.
OBINNA OKEREKEOCHA is a Creative & Content Director, Creative Thinker, Art Director, Multi-media artist, Film Music Composer, Documentary Filmmaker, AV Editor, Musician, Storyteller and Creative Adventure Seeker and Creative Community Builder.
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He is the Founder of Naija AI Film Festival - The first AI film festival fully focused on AI filmmaking in Africa.

Having spent over a decade in the Nigerian advertising and design space, he has had the unique opportunity of building Nigerian super- brands. He has worked in offline and online Television, Film production, Energy, Branding, Communications and Philanthropy as a Brand Programs Manager at TEF (The Tony Elumelu Foundation) working on various productions and key continental marketing projects, especially the $100,000,000 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme that has impacted the lives of thousands of African entrepreneurs.

He was key to the envisioning, creation and impact of REDTV as the pioneer Creative Director. The platform has gone on to be a multiple- award winning pan African lifestyle and entertainment, streaming video-on-demand channel on YouTube, supporting hundreds of young creators, filmmakers and film festivals across the African continent, powered by the United Bank For Africa (UBA).

At the moment, Obinna is the Director of content at Moniepoint Inc., a high impact Microfinance bank powering small and medium-sized businesses in Africa, providing them with innovative tools for financial inclusion.

​Obinna believes that in an ever-changing world of cutting-edge technology, in all spheres of life, one must always and constantly shift one's creative paradigms to remain relevant.
Nolo Phiri is a multifaceted creative entrepreneur, producer, and industry thought leader with a deep-rooted passion for storytelling, social impact, and strategic innovation. As the Founder of Girl Next Door Media (GND), a Creative Solutions Agency, she leverages her extensive experience in television, film, and live events to develop impactful content, strategic partnerships, and transformative industry initiatives.

An Honours graduate from the University of the Witwatersrand’s School of the Arts, Nolo’s journey began at the National School of the Arts, where she majored in visual arts, laying the foundation for her unique approach to creativity. Her breakout role as Niki on ETV’s Rhythm City (2011–2018) cemented her status in South African entertainment, but it is her work behind the scenes—as a producer, strategist, and moderator—that has truly set her apart.

Through GND, Nolo pioneers projects that merge creativity with business strategy, specialising in content development, behavioural change initiatives, brand story integration, and skills development. Her portfolio includes producing acclaimed dramas and documentaries for platforms such as Mzansi Magic, Etv, Showmax, Paramount, and SABC, as well as spearheading initiatives that bridge the gap between industry professionals and emerging talent.

Beyond production, Nolo is a sought-after moderator, speaker, and MC, known for her ability to navigate high-profile discussions with intelligence, warmth, and charisma. She has hosted and moderated events for CANON, BANKSETA & Tshwane University of Technology  among others.

A firm believer in the power of creativity as a tool for social and economic transformation, Nolo’s work focuses on developing future-fit solutions across industries—whether through strategic partnerships, training programs, or storytelling-driven impact campaigns. With a strong foundation in both performance and production, she brings a nuanced perspective on audience engagement, brand positioning, and industry evolution, making her a trusted partner for organisations looking to drive meaningful change.
KUNLE IDOWU, popularly known as Frank Donga, is a Nigerian actor and comedian. He rose to fame through his viral comedy web series, THE INTERVIEW, for which he was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy in the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) in 2015.

Frank Donga also won the Best Actor Award for his role in the movie, HAKKUNDE, at the African Film Festival and Cannes International Pan African Film Festival in 2018. He is one of the Nominees for Best Actor in a Comedy in the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA 2023) for his role in the movie, UNINTENTIONAL. He is also known for his role in movies like; THE WEDDING PARTY - 1 & 2, THREE THIEVES, SWALLOW, ONE LAGOS NIGHT, and most recently, JOLLY ROGER.

Although he has a Master’s Degree in Genetics, Frank started his career in the media as a Broadcast Journalist on NN24 News Channel (a CNN affiliate). He is also a Cinematographer, Editor, Writer, Animator, Photographer, and Filmmaker.