Biography of Akeem Ogunmilade – Visionary Filmmaker & Storyteller

Akeem Ogunmilade is a multi-talented filmmaker whose passion for storytelling has driven an illustrious career spanning over two decades. With roots in accounting, Akeem discovered his true calling in cinema, training under industry giants like Allen Shields (Common Grounds Productions) and Nollywood legend Tunde Kelani, where he mastered cinematography.

 A seasoned director, writer, producer, and cinematographer, Akeem has crafted a diverse portfolio—from award-winning short films (Crosses, Beyond the Pale) to Netflix projects (Dark Path) and high-profile collaborations (Madam CJ Walker). As Creative Director of Xphrame Media and leader in organizations like NANTAP and TAMPAN Canada, he champions artistic excellence while bridging Nigerian and global cinema.

His films, celebrated at international festivals, explore human resilience, cultural identity, and untold narratives. Whether directing gripping dramas (Mr. Lawani), impactful PSAs (Wedding Anniversary), or developing features (Belarus), Akeem’s work is united by a commitment to authenticity and emotional depth.

Biography of Joseline J. Hardrick

Meet Joseline Jean-Louis Hardrick, the multitasking dynamo who’s rewriting the script for what it means to be a modern-day legal superstar. By day, she’s molding the minds of future attorneys as an Associate Professor at Cooley Law School, teaching Constitutional Law and Criminal Law. By night (and probably any other available time), she’s the founder and president of Diversity Access Pipeline, Inc., better known as Journey to Esquire ®, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting diversity and providing access to law students through scholarships, leadership programs, podcasts, and blogs and Lawyerish ® a business that emperors every legal journey.

Biography of Prisca Ogouma

Prisca Ogouma is a Beninese filmmaker who has lived in France for the past decade. Drawing inspiration from her personal journey between two cultures, she creates intimate yet universal stories exploring exile, identity, and resilience. Her debut short film, RETURNEE (2025), is both a family tribute and a reflection on the African diaspora.

Biography of Alicia Michele Benjamin

Alicia Michele Benjamin recently directed/produced the short documentary “Dreams Float Around Us," an official selection of the 2025 Charlotte Black Film Festival. Alicia also has extensive experience in the theater and has acted in productions in several cities on the East Coast and in the Southeast. She studied screenwriting, acting and playwriting (as a graduate student) at Hunter College in New York with Actors Studio alumni instructors, and Academy Award nominee Ruby Dee. She also studied directing for the theater at Temple University in Philadelphia. Alicia currently serves as the editor of Pride Magazine in Charlotte, N.C., a publication that serves Charlotte's African American community.

Biography of FRANKLINE NWOCHUZE

Frankline Nwochuze. born in the North West Region of Cameroon, is a professional film maker with some successful movies that has gain international knowledge such as “JUST A LANGUAGE”( Ecrans Noirs 2016) “A TRIP 2 AFRICA” (Australia /Cameroon) TV Show “ON BOARD”( Airing on CANAL2 ENGLISH /MOVIES) . Up to the task this year, he releases another short film titled “ NWEH”. This year 2021, he has made another step forward with the movie titled “BEYOND THE WORLD”

Bridgett Ladd, writer, director from Atlanta, Georgia. An active member of Alliance of Women Directors and Film Fatales. She’s been writing screenplays and shorts for several years. Her short, Wounded Hearts won “Best Screenplay at the TPN film festival. Her SAG/AFTRA short film “The Other Man” was an official selection at Pan African film festival, Baltimore, Twin Cities and Charlotte film festival and is now streaming on Genre TV. She created "Draft Divas" with her writing partner, Andria Chappell. They have written a psychological thriller titled "Hartwell Highway" and a drama about mental health titled "Elberton".