Afoali Ngwakum Akisa is a Montreal-based creative mind, storyteller, and founder of 9:16 Stories, a video production company specializing in emotionally resonant, goal-driven narratives. Inspired by her father’s love for capturing family memories, Afoali turned her passion for storytelling into a thriving career, helping businesses and creators cut through the digital noise with content that connects and drives results.
Her work has delivered measurable impact across industries. Afoali’s expertise helped Swab the World raise over $232,000 through social media campaigns, secured $614,000 in funding for Sayaspora’s mission to empower African women, and supported Juno in raising $300,000 to innovate menstrual health solutions. Known for blending creativity and strategy, Afoali ensures that her clients’ stories resonate and inspire action.
In her workshops, Afoali empowers participants to create engaging content that not only captures attention but delivers real results. By sharing practical techniques, creative insights, and actionable strategies, she equips business owners, marketers, and creators with the tools to stand out in today’s crowded content landscape.
Afoali Ngwakum Akisa
Marieme is a host, actress, and singer-songwriter who is never short on ideas. She first made an impression as a VJ on Musique Plus and as the host of 3 filles célibataires on VRAK. Since then, her energy and boundless creativity have propelled her into numerous hosting roles, including Tout inclus (ICI Télé), Le cœur sur le flow (La Fabrique Culturelle), De par chez nous (Unis TV), and Ma première place des arts (MATV). On radio, her voice has resonated on Dutrizac 6@9 (QUB Radio) and La route des 20 (ICI Première).
A committed artist and advocate for diversity and inclusion, Marieme founded Les nouveaux modèles in 2018, an inspiring initiative connecting cultural community figures with elementary and high school students. As a producer at St-Laurent TV, she has contributed to series such as Bon matin Chuck and Les mal-aimants.
With her album Mario, Marieme makes a powerful return with an introspective and unapologetic project blending pop, hip-hop, and R&B, where she embraces her identity and champions a collective awakening for a more inclusive Quebec. Whether in front of the camera or behind the scenes, Marieme embodies energy, passion, and commitment.
Sarah Béguineau is a content creator, entrepreneur, and passionate influencer who has built a community of over 900,000 followers across her platforms — all on her own, without a team and self-funding her equipment. Specializing in creating videos that blend humor and authenticity, she has turned her passion into a profession through hard work and determination.
Over the years, Sarah has collaborated with renowned brands like IKEA, Spotify, Desjardins, and more, seamlessly and creatively integrating promotions into her content. She has also shared her expertise as a panelist at Content Fest, inspiring fellow creators and industry professionals. As an ambassador for the Gala Influence Création, she took part in celebrating the achievements of influencers in content creation.
Sarah is a prime example of a creator who has successfully monetized her talent while staying true to her values, and she remains actively involved in the creative industry.
Few people understand the importance of the arts and culture sector as well as Cameron Bailey. He is CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) - the world's largest public film festival and one of Canada's premier cultural brands. Under his strategic direction, the festival continues to grow in size and significance each year.
Bailey began his career as a film critic. He also curated films for Cinematheque Ontario, The National Gallery of Canada, The National Film Board of Canada, and Australia’s Sydney International Film Festival before joining TIFF in 1990. He began as a programmer selecting Canadian films before moving on to African and South Asian cinema. He’s responsible for TIFF’s highly successful subscription series, Reel Talk, and also headed TIFF’s Perspective Canada series and founded its Planet Africa section.
Bailey has taught film curation at the University of Toronto and holds an honorary doctorate from Western University. He is a Chevalier in France’s Order of Arts and Letters, member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, and for 12 consecutive years been named one of “Toronto’s 50 Most Influential People” by Toronto Life.
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