Speaker Lineup
The forum featured in-depth conversations on critical topics such as the future of storytelling, providing a landscape for the creative industry and the role of AI in film and how it is reshaping the creative industry. Industry experts from PwC, Microsoft, the American Business Council and the U.S. Consulate in Lagos provided insights on innovation, growth and the future of cross-industry collaboration.
Writer, Director, Producer
JEFFREY LINDSAY RELF
After graduating from Pratt Institute in NYC, Relf began his career in costuming for feature films but quickly transitioned into various fashion roles, including fashion stylist and fashion show producer, ultimately finding his niche in fashion PR. It was his foray into producing digital fashion content, through PR, that sparked his passion for storytelling. In March 2017, Relf closed his successful PR agency after a decade to fully embrace his purpose in storytelling. Since enrolling in UCLA’s esteemed Film Ex-Program in Fall 2017, he has penned five gripping feature screenplays and compelling TV pilots while also writing, directing, and producing award- winning short films. His work includes the 2018 short film “Jesus Children of America”, which earned him a spot in the CMG/Festival de Cannes short filmmakers program as a screenwriter in 2019, where his screenplay “Baggage” was produced and premiered as part of the festival’s shorts screening program. In 2020, Relf spearheaded the groundbreaking docu-series “The Color of Fashion”, earning a coveted CNN/Film Independent Original Documentary Fellowship, followed by a Film Independent Fiscal Sponsorship for his screenplay “Crystal”.
His talent behind the camera has been recognized with the Bronze Lens 2020 Award for Best Short Film for “Catching Up” and the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival 2021 Best Actress Award for “Another Xmas Dinner”. In 2023, Relf garnered the esteemed HFPA/Golden Globes fellowship. His knack for authentic storytelling currently shines through in the YouTube micro-series “Losing Hope” spin-off “Kelly”, which secured official selections in the 2024 Los Angeles Black Film Festival and Houston’s NBFF (National Black Film Festival). Relf serves as the Art Department Coordinator for the acclaimed BET/Paramount Global series “The Family Business”, now streaming on Netflix, along with its riveting spin-off “The Family Business: New Orleans”, set to air in Fall 2024.
His talent behind the camera has been recognized with the Bronze Lens 2020 Award for Best Short Film for “Catching Up” and the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival 2021 Best Actress Award for “Another Xmas Dinner”. In 2023, Relf garnered the esteemed HFPA/Golden Globes fellowship. His knack for authentic storytelling currently shines through in the YouTube micro-series “Losing Hope” spin-off “Kelly”, which secured official selections in the 2024 Los Angeles Black Film Festival and Houston’s NBFF (National Black Film Festival). Relf serves as the Art Department Coordinator for the acclaimed BET/Paramount Global series “The Family Business”, now streaming on Netflix, along with its riveting spin-off “The Family Business: New Orleans”, set to air in Fall 2024.
Actress, Producer, Thespian
LEE SHERMAN
Lee Sherman is an accomplished Actor and Producer with a dynamic career that spans three continents. She has captivated audiences with her Off-Broadway solo show, “UN-RULE- LEE: I’m Too Big For That Box” and has appeared in top network shows, including ABC’s 9-1-1, CW’s Jane The Virgin, and the multi-Emmy- winning Showtime hit, Shameless. Through her company, Electrik eeL Productions, Lee is committed to creating and producing content that offers roles for people of color both in front of and behind the camera. Following her success as a 2023 Cannes Indie Shorts semi-finalist and receiving top accolades from the Burbank International Film Festival for her film “If Only”, Lee is now in pre-production for the horror/thriller feature film “The Bath Game”, set to shoot in early 2025.
Formerly the Co-Artistic Director and Producer for Company of Angels, Los Angeles’s oldest repertory theatre, Lee has recently been appointed Chairperson of the Skylight Theatre Board of Directors, an award-winning Los Angeles-based theatre company. This year Skylight celebrated a critically acclaimed reprisal of its hit musical, “Bronco Billy”, in the UKs West End. In her appointment, Lee plans to ensure the theatre continues to provide storytellers from diverse backgrounds with the opportunities and support needed to produce original plays. Lee currently stars in the Amazon Prime feature, “Rules of Thirds”.
Formerly the Co-Artistic Director and Producer for Company of Angels, Los Angeles’s oldest repertory theatre, Lee has recently been appointed Chairperson of the Skylight Theatre Board of Directors, an award-winning Los Angeles-based theatre company. This year Skylight celebrated a critically acclaimed reprisal of its hit musical, “Bronco Billy”, in the UKs West End. In her appointment, Lee plans to ensure the theatre continues to provide storytellers from diverse backgrounds with the opportunities and support needed to produce original plays. Lee currently stars in the Amazon Prime feature, “Rules of Thirds”.
Producer, Writer, Director
FOWZI ABDELSAMAD
Born in Saudi Arabia and raised in Los Angeles, Fowzi is a UC Davis graduate who initially pursued a career in professional basketball,
playing internationally throughout Europe, South America, and the Middle East. However, his deep fascination with movies led him to study screenwriting, where his undeniable raw talent, passion, and dedication quickly honed his voice as a screenwriter, prompting him to hang up his basketball sneakers and chase a new dream in the film industry.
As a writer, director, and producer, Fowzi has collaborated with industry heavyweights such as the multi-award-winning F. Gary Gray, Dominique Telson (The Best of Enemies), and network producer Deshon Hardy. His writing credits include episodes for the AllBlk TV series *5th Ward* (2018-2020) and the BET+ hit series *I Got a Story to Tell* (2022). He has also written and directed his own award-winning short films, “Catching Up” (2020) and “Live With It” (2022). Fowzi’s versatility extends behind the camera as well, where he has worked as a Second Assistant Director for BET’s feature film “Dear Best Friend” (2021), a First Assistant Director for the PlayersTV series “Front Office” (2021), BET+’s “I Got a Story to Tell” (6 episodes, 2022), the feature film “Under His Influence” (2023), as well as a Line Producer for BET+’s “What Lies Under the Tree” (2023). Fowzi’s epic biopic feature, “187”, is currently in pre-production, set to be his next ambitious project.
As a writer, director, and producer, Fowzi has collaborated with industry heavyweights such as the multi-award-winning F. Gary Gray, Dominique Telson (The Best of Enemies), and network producer Deshon Hardy. His writing credits include episodes for the AllBlk TV series *5th Ward* (2018-2020) and the BET+ hit series *I Got a Story to Tell* (2022). He has also written and directed his own award-winning short films, “Catching Up” (2020) and “Live With It” (2022). Fowzi’s versatility extends behind the camera as well, where he has worked as a Second Assistant Director for BET’s feature film “Dear Best Friend” (2021), a First Assistant Director for the PlayersTV series “Front Office” (2021), BET+’s “I Got a Story to Tell” (6 episodes, 2022), the feature film “Under His Influence” (2023), as well as a Line Producer for BET+’s “What Lies Under the Tree” (2023). Fowzi’s epic biopic feature, “187”, is currently in pre-production, set to be his next ambitious project.
A big thank you to all our partners and speakers who made this forum possible. The talent, insights, and dedication from our esteemed partners and speakers—PwC, Microsoft, ABC (American Business Council) and the U.S. Consulate in Lagos were integral to the success of this event. We also appreciate the contribution of Hollywood and Nollywood speakers who enriched our discussions with their global perspectives.
