Neo Moretlwe
Founder & CEO, Secret Film Society

Sector: Film
South Africa

Neo Moretlwe is transforming how audiences discover, experience and celebrate African cinema. As the founder of Secret Film Society, she has created one of South Africa's most exciting film communities, reimagining cinema as a shared cultural experience rather than simply a place to watch films. Through curated screenings, conversations and immersive events, Neo has built a platform that reconnects audiences with African storytelling while creating meaningful spaces for filmmakers and film lovers to engage beyond the screen. Her work demonstrates that a thriving film industry depends not only on producing great content but also on cultivating audiences who actively champion local stories. By making African cinema accessible, aspirational and community-driven, she is helping reshape viewing habits and fostering a new generation of engaged film audiences. Through innovation, cultural leadership and an unwavering belief in the power of storytelling, Neo is strengthening the relationship between African films and the communities they represent.

Jade Kelly Wilson
Partner & Head of Music & Culture, Africa Creative Agency

Sector: Music, Film & Television
South Africa

Jade’s work is redefining how African creativity is experienced, celebrated and connected across the world. Drawing on her background in music journalism, digital platforms and talent development, she has become a leading force in building cultural ecosystems that extend far beyond traditional entertainment. Following her role as Music Business Lead for Africa at Apple Music, Jade joined Africa Creative Agency, where she leads music and cultural strategy while developing global partnerships that position African talent on the international stage. Through pioneering initiatives such as Africa House, a nomadic cultural platform connecting African creatives and the diaspora through music, fashion, food and conversation, and WAV Festival, which celebrates African R&B and contemporary culture, she is creating spaces where collaboration, commerce and community intersect. Jade's ability to bring together artists, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and cultural tastemakers is helping reshape how African culture is shared globally while building lasting networks that empower the continent's creative industries.

Valencia Joshua
Writer, Director & Producer

Sector: Film, Television, Animation & Music
South Africa

Valencia is expanding the stories, voices and communities represented in South African entertainment. As the founder of The Dream Lab Productions, she has built a creative studio dedicated to developing original African stories while creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers from underrepresented backgrounds. An award-winning writer, director and producer, Valencia has earned recognition through projects including Himmat, Before 8am, and The Platform, while securing international opportunities through CANEX, the Marché du Film at Cannes and partnerships with FilmOne and La Vida Studios. Beyond her own filmmaking, she is investing in the future of the industry through animation development initiatives, mentorship and talent programmes that create sustainable pathways into the creative economy. Her work across film, music, live events and animation reflects a commitment to ensuring African stories are both globally competitive and deeply rooted in local identity. By championing authentic representation and creating opportunities for others, Valencia is helping shape a more inclusive and culturally confident future for African storytelling.

Muthoni Waigwa
Co-Founder & CEO, NW Plus TV

Sector: Entertainment Technology
Kenya

Muthoni Waigwa is helping redefine how African stories are distributed, discovered and owned. As the Co-Founder and CEO of NW Plus TV, she has built a pioneering video-on-demand platform dedicated exclusively to authentic African storytelling, creating sustainable opportunities for creators while ensuring African audiences can access stories that reflect their own cultures, languages and lived experiences. Under her leadership, NW Plus TV has grown into a platform featuring more than 40 African productions across film, documentaries, podcasts and original programming, providing creators with new pathways to reach audiences across the continent and the global African diaspora. Rather than chasing algorithms or global trends, Muthoni is building a streaming ecosystem rooted in cultural authenticity, creator ownership and long-term sustainability. By combining technology, entrepreneurship and a deep commitment to African storytelling, she is creating the infrastructure that will enable future generations of filmmakers and content creators to thrive on their own terms, shaping a more independent and globally competitive African entertainment industry.

Sibusisiwe Gugu Manqele
Screenwriter, Actress, Academic & Founder, CONTENTWOOD

Sector: Film and Television
South Africa

Sibusisiwe is redefining African storytelling through creativity, scholarship and entrepreneurship. A SAFTA-winning screenwriter, actress, multidisciplinary artist and CEO of CONTENTWOOD, she has helped shape some of South Africa's most influential television productions, including Skeem Saam, Gomora, House of Zwide and Umkhokha, bringing authentic local stories, Indigenous languages and diverse lived experiences to millions of viewers. Beyond the screen, Sibusisiwe is helping shape the future of the creative industries through research, mentorship and advocacy. As a Mellon-funded PhD candidate in Culture, Communication and Media Studies, her research explores the experiences of Black women showrunners and the role of creative entrepreneurship in building sustainable careers and stronger creative economies. Recognised as one of the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans, she is creating knowledge, opportunities and platforms that empower the next generation of African creatives. By combining storytelling, research and industry leadership, Sibusisiwe is influencing not only the stories Africa tells, but how its creative industries evolve and thrive.

Portia Ncwane
Filmmaker, Cultural Activist & Founder, Sbani Media Productions

Sector: Film
South Africa

Portia Ncwane is preserving African heritage while inspiring a new generation of storytellers. As the founder of Sbani Media Productions and the Portia Ncwane Foundation, she uses film as a powerful tool for cultural preservation, education and social change. Through award-winning productions including Tales of a Zulu Folk Dancer (Igida Ngoma), Raised the African Way and Tomasi, Portia has championed authentic African narratives that celebrate indigenous knowledge, identity and tradition while addressing contemporary social issues. She made history as the first Black filmmaker to bring traditional South African folk dance to local cinemas, demonstrating that cultural storytelling can be both commercially successful and globally relevant. Beyond filmmaking, she has empowered thousands of young people through mentorship, arts education and community initiatives, while representing South Africa on international cultural platforms. By combining storytelling with cultural advocacy and youth development, Portia is ensuring that African traditions remain living, evolving and celebrated, shaping a stronger cultural identity for future generations.

Dr Samukele Khumalo-Dludla
Founder & Festival Director, Power24 International Film Festival

Sector: Film, Television, Music & Entertainment Technology
South Africa

Dr Samukele is redefining inclusion within Africa's creative industries. As the founder of the Power24 International Film Festival, she has created one of the continent's leading disability-inclusive film festivals, transforming it into a platform that champions authentic storytelling, industry access and economic opportunity for persons with disabilities, women and creatives from underserved communities. Through initiatives including Zenande Films and PurpleDotz Casting Agency, she is expanding access to the entertainment industry by discovering and developing talent beyond traditional urban centres while promoting more representative casting and production practices. A filmmaker, creative entrepreneur and musician performing as Deborah McKay, Dr Khumalo-Dludla continues to demonstrate that innovation in entertainment is driven by inclusion, accessibility and opportunity. By creating platforms that celebrate diverse voices while strengthening skills development, cultural exchange and industry participation, she is helping build a more equitable, representative and sustainable future for African entertainment.

Bongi Ndaba
Producer, Showrunner & Head Writer

Sector: Film & Television
South Africa

Bongi’s storytelling has profoundly influenced the South African television landscape and the way African stories are told. As an award-winning producer, showrunner and head writer, she has created and developed some of the country's most celebrated productions, including The Queen, The River, Red Ink, Sibongile & The Dlaminis and Shaka iLembe. Through complex characters, authentic dialogue and culturally resonant narratives, she has helped shape national conversations around identity, family, power, history and social change while proving that African stories can achieve both critical and commercial success. Beyond her creative work, Bongi is a passionate advocate for writers' rights and the professionalisation of screenwriting, serving on the Writers Guild of South Africa and mentoring emerging writers through workshops, masterclasses and incubation programmes. Her influence extends well beyond the screen, shaping the voices, perspectives and creative talent that will define the future of African storytelling. Through her leadership, advocacy and extraordinary body of work, Bongi continues to shape South African culture and inspire a new generation of storytellers.

Lorcia Cooper Kumalo
Actress, Choreographer, Director & Producer

Sector: Film, Television & Performing Arts
South Africa

Lorcia’s career has transformed the way movement, performance and storytelling intersect in South African entertainment. An award-winning actress, internationally acclaimed dancer, choreographer, presenter and mentor, she has spent more than two decades influencing the country's creative landscape through television, film, theatre and dance. From her breakthrough role as Charmaine in Backstage, where she also served as dance director and choreographer, to acclaimed performances in Lockdown, Housekeepers, Red Ink, Paradys and Shaka iLembe, Lorcia has consistently championed authentic South African stories and diverse representation. Beyond the screen, she has inspired thousands of young people through her Life Skills Through Dance programme, while serving as a judge, choreographer and creative leader on major productions including High School Musical: Spotlight South Africa, So You Think You Can Dance South Africa, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup fan dance programme. By combining performance, choreography, mentorship and cultural leadership, Lorcia has shaped South African culture while inspiring generations of artists to tell stories with authenticity, purpose and excellence.