Pan African

Screenwriters’ Retreat

INSPIRATION WITH REPRESENTATION

Step into a world of possibilities. The 4 finalists will be assigned a dedicated mentor throughout the 5 day program and benefit from workshops and contributions by Pan African experts across the globe.

Discover the talented mentors

Ekwa Msangi Photo by Nadia Kist - Sundance

EKWA MSANGI
WRITER/DIRECTOR

Ekwa’s award-winning and critically acclaimed feature film Farewell Amor premiered in competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, garnering 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film won the Sundance Amazon Producer’s Award, and NYWIFT Directing Award amongst other distinctions, and was bought for distribution by IFC Films for North America, MUBI and Netflix for Worldwide. She has also directed for television including for Disney’s Growing Up docuseries, Showtime’s sultry Three Women, and Hulu’s Saint X season finale. For Farewell Amor Ekwa was awarded the 2021 Indie Spirit “Someone To Watch” Award, as well as becoming a 2020 Sundance Momentum Fellow, 2020 BAFTA Breakthrough, 2022 USA Artist Fellow, and 2022-2024 ReFrame Rise Director Fellow. Ekwa is currently in development on several feature projects including a futuristic take on “The Scarlet Letter,” When She Woke with 30West, The Dictator Hunters with Archer Grey, MOVE! With Mandalay Pictures, and a biopic on tennis champion Althea Gibson with Park Pictures.

ZERESENAY BERHANE MEHARI
WRITER/DIRECTOR

Zeresenay “Zee” Berhane Mehari is an award-winning writer/director born and raised in Ethiopia. Zee moved to the U.S. to attend film school and founded Haile - Addis Pictures to produce his first narrative feature film, Difret, which was Executive Produced by Angelina Jolie and won Audience Awards at both the Sundance and Berlin International Film Festivals. His next feature film, Sweetness in the Belly, based on the international best-selling novel of the same name by Camilla Gibb set during the Ethiopian revolution in the 1970s, was a Canadian-Irish co-production starring Dakota Fanning and Yahya Abdul-Mateen and had its world premiere at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival. The film was distributed by Entertainment One and Gravitas Ventures and was the first feature film helmed by an African director financed by Canada’s public Telefilms fund. Zee was most recently co-founder and Head of Original Content for Kana Television, the popular free-to-air, private satellite entertainment TV channel in Ethiopia which was recently acquired by Canal Plus. Zee is currently Head of Production and a co-founder of A51 Pictures, an independent film production company based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is currently developing a slate of films for the local and international market. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.

ANNA MARANO
WRITER/PRODUCER

Anna Marano is the Creator and Producer of the Pan-African Film Podcast – giving a voice to our stories. Marano is a screenplay writer and her first feature film script was selected for the 2022 Athena Film Festival Writers Lab. She brings extensive experience in international marketing in the media and finance industries, recently as Development Executive at IncuBeta Films. Previously, she was founder and manager of Dada Productions, which produced three films targeted to the African market during her tenure. Anna was an experienced research analyst for the renowned hedge fund, John Paulson Europe LLP and freelance producer / journalist for Reuters-TV. A graduate of the Bocconi University in Milan (Italy) where she double-majored in Applied Economics and Politics, she began her career as a documentary filmmaker. She is also an alum of the London Film Academy's producing course and recently a trained mediator practicing within the community and at local district courts. From a multi-cultural family, Anna is fluent in English and Italian and gets by in French and Swahili.

THATO MWOSA
WRITER/DIRECTOR

Thato is an award-winning filmmaker who specializes in narratives that illuminate the challenges faced by Black women and girls in Africa and the diaspora. As an Assistant Professor of Screenwriting, she leverages her diverse background and professional experience, emphasizing the power of storytelling to address social issues and amplify marginalized voices. Her approach prioritizes cultural sensitivity and authentic representation, nurturing a holistic understanding of storytelling in a diverse world.

In 2019, Thato wrote and directed her debut feature film, Memoirs of a Black Girl, premiering at the 2021 Boston Globe's Black History Month Film Festival and subsequently screening at prestigious festivals including the Pan African Film Festival and Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival. Her work has garnered attention from media outlets like the Boston Globe, NPR, and WGBH (PBS affiliate).

Thato is Assistant Professor of Screenwriting at Emerson College.

Daily Breakdown

Sunday August 18th

Pamoja

inspiration with representation
First reviews
Introduction to full group of mentors and time with assigned mentor

Monday August 19th

Broader Horizons

Certified Breathologist
feedback and exchanges
inspiration with representation takes us to Hunting Island State Park for a picnic.
Individual one-on-one mentor meetings
Character Development
10amET / 2pmUTC / 5pmEAT

Tuesday August 20th

Spread Your Wings

Optional, travel included
The added challenges for Pan African Screenwriters
with Livestream and Q&A
PANELISTS:
Tamara Dawit
Hilliard Guess
Mmakgosi Tau
Tambay Obenson
Johnny Muteba
Russell Onyango
Individual one-on-one mentor meetings
With certified Breathologist

Wednesday August 21st

Prep for Your Next Level

With Certified Breathologist
Workshop on latest edition by Final Draft
11am ET/3pm UTC/6pm EAT
Mentors are available to have their brains picked.
Individual one-on-one mentor meetings
Fun in the sun

Thursday August 22nd

Moving Forward

Logline and Synopsis, how to connect with your investors
10am ET/2pm UTC/5pm EAT
Optional

Tuesday’s Panelists

“The added challenges for Pan African Screenwriters”

— 11am ET / 3pm UTC / 6pm EAT

Subscribe for Livestream

Hilliard Guess

Hilldog Productions

Hilliard is an accomplished writer/producer with an impressive portfolio that spans across both television and digital platforms. With credits on esteemed shows like The Russo Bros SYFY series DEADLY CLASS and as EP/Showrunner of the acclaimed digital series TICKER, which won Best Series at the 2021 World International Film Festival, Hilliard has solidified his reputation as a creative force in the industry. Currently, he serves as the Executive Producer on Amazon’s highly anticipated Alex Cross companion series: CROSS: ACE.
Born in Detroit but raised in the ‘hood near San Francisco, Hilliard emerged as the youngest sibling in a family dubbed "The Cosby Show in the Ghetto." Having navigated the rough terrain of East Palo Alto during the tumultuous 70s and 80s, Hilliard's early years were colored by the presence of gangs, drugs, and the legacy of The Black Panthers. As a gay, black theater kid who embraced the MOD/Rudeboy movement, he embodied the essence of a cool nerd, carving his path amidst adversity. His upbringing infused his writing with a unique perspective, focusing on underdog narratives and themes of redemption, spanning genres from biography and music to horror and crime.
Since 2009, Hilliard has contributed his talents to over two dozen television pilots, films, shorts, digital series, and music documentaries, earning accolades for his commitment to bringing projects from conception to fruition. His recent role as Director of Development at Showrunner Ben Watkins’ Blue Monday Productions underscores his knack for identifying compelling narratives and diverse voices.
A vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the industry, Hilliard champions these values through his involvement with the WGAW, where he served for nearly a decade as Co-Chair of the Committee of Black Writers and the Education Committee. Additionally, he lends his voice to the LGBTQ+, Latinx, and Genre Committees, amplifying underrepresented voices and perspectives.
Hilliard graces the cover of the esteemed iTunes book "The Top 100 Indie Writers in The World" and is revered as the longtime host/moderator of the popular Screenwriters’ Rant Room, as well as the WGAW 3rd & Fairfax podcasts, where he drops industry game with some of our top luminaries.
Twitter X/Instagram: @HilliardGuess @ScreenwritersRantRoom
Rep: geoffs@cartelent.com

Tamara Dawit

Gobez Media

Tamara is an Ethiopian-Canadian award-winning filmmaker and arts industry executive. For ten years, Tamara was the 411 Initiative For Change's executive director, a Canadian charity that produced social justice-themed arts content for young audiences. Through 411, she developed multi-arts content and campaigns with Keep A Child Alive, Kids Help Phone, Amnesty International and other partners.
Tamara has produced television content for CBC, MTV, Radio Canada, and NHK, among other networks. As well she has overseen the production of digital projects and campaigns for Plan International, Girl Effect, Corus/Kids Can Press, Make Poverty History and other clients.
In Canada, Tamara was a founding board member of REMC (The Racial Equity Media Collective), a think tank working on research and policy work in the screen-based industries. For nearly three years, she was a senior advisor to the Canada Media Fund on growth and inclusion strategies.
In Africa, she has consulted on film policies and research for DW Akademie, EUNIC, Afreximbank and the Ethiopian government. Tamara is a founding member of both Ethiopia Creates and the East African Screen Collective. She works as a mentor to directors and producers for professional development programs run by organizations such as EAVE, Hot Docs, the Documentary Organization of Canada and DW Akademie.
Tamara has pitched films at market events including, Berlinale Co Production Market, RIDM Forumm, Cinemart, Cannes Doc Corner, Durban Film Market, Gotham, Good Pitch, Miradas Doc Forum, IDFA Forum, Hot Docs Forum and Dealmaker and the TIFF Financing Forum. Tamara is an alumnus of the Berlinale and Durban Talents, EAVE and Apost and has been awarded fellowships by Docs in Progress, Logan Nonfiction and TIFF. Her film Finding Sally won the Doc Institute Vanguard Award, Adiaha Award and the Gordon Parks Award For Black Excellence in Filmmaking, among others. Tamara is a 2023 Chalmer Arts Fellow.

Mmakgosi Anita Tau

Mmakgosi Anita Tau is an award-winning writer-director from Botswana based in Syracuse, New York. She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Film from Syracuse University and works in both fiction film and documentary. She completed her undergraduate studies in motion picture medium at AFDA Botswana and also studied journalism, international relations, and criminology at the University of Monash South Africa. Tau founded Mmakgosi Live, a project she undertook in Botswana, Ghana, and later the USA, that uses poetry, art, film, dance, and theater to de-stigmatize mental illness and inspire artists to connect. She is a recipient of the British Council/Prince Claus Mobility Fund and was selected by the United States Department of State for the University of Iowa International Writing Program, Women’s Creative Mentorship Program. Tau has made films in Botswana, Ethiopia, the United States, and Zambia. She is a Headlands Center for the Arts Artist in Residence 2023 and a recipient of The 2021 Donald and Genie Rice Residency Award for film- Yaddo, USA. Tau is a recipient of the Bryan Buckley Award and two Creative Opportunity Grants for her short films. She is a 2022 Mandela Washington Fellow, a flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative, Drexel University, USA. Her films have screened in Botswana, Zambia, Ghana, Turkey, South Africa, United Kingdom, Canada, Cameroon, Bulgaria and the United States. She makes films that uncover the Motswana woman in cinema, humanize black bodies and protest against societal injustices.

Tambay Obenson

Akoroko

Tambay Obenson has dedicated his 20-year career to promoting
diverse narratives within global Black cinemas. By founding Shadow & Act in 2009, a platform that quickly became a cornerstone for news and discussions on Black cinema, he established a voice in the industry.
His efforts expanded through co-founding Shadow & Act Films and the Brooklyn's New Voices in Black Cinema Festival, further amplifying
emerging talents. As a contributor to Indiewire from 2018 to 2022,
Obenson offered insightful commentary on Black film and television from a global perspective. Currently, he is pioneering Akoroko LLC, an
innovative platform focused on comprehensive coverage of African
cinema and industries, and serves as Lead Curator for the Urbanworld
Film Festival in New York City. His ongoing engagements as a speaker
and consultant further underscore his role as a trusted and
influential advocate for Black cinematic expression worldwide.

Tambay A. Obenson
Founder and CEO, Akoroko LLC
www.akoroko.com
tambay@akoroko.com
twitter.com/akorokoafrica
instagram.com/akorokofilm

Russell Onyango

Emerge Media

To Russell Onyango, storytelling is an integral part of the human experience, shaping how people interpret and connect with the world. As a technologist and storyteller, Russell has dedicated his career to amplifying East Africa's vibrant culture through the lenses of music, sports, nostalgic biographies, and technology. A keen eye for trends has enabled him to bring innovative perspectives to his narratives, capturing the essence of East Africa's music and sports scenes and highlighting the unique stories and talents that define the region. As the co-founder of Emerge Media with Director Mike Wanguhu, Russell has written and produced award-winning documentaries featured at international film festivals as well as documentary series. Notably, their acclaimed documentary "Hip Hop Colony" continues to be broadcast & streamed across Africa. Russell remains devoted to showcasing the continent's innovation and cultural richness to the world.

Johnny Muteba

Pan African Chamber of Commerce

Johnny Muteba founded the Pan African Chamber of Commerce in 2015 in Johannesburg/South Africa.
He has over 20 years of work experience in media, entertainment, entrepreneurship, trade, social impact and human rights. He is a global thought leader with a proven track record to lead multicultural teams and deliver outstanding results and as an in-depth understanding of business networking, negotiations, relationships and project management.
Johnny’s work is inspired by his responsibility to Africa. He has a very special ability in connecting entrepreneurial vision, creative passion and innovative problem solving.
His enthusiasm and experience provide for compelling insights, interesting ideas and refreshing approaches which are so desperately needed today. Johnny offers a broad range of professional services to artists, corporations, universities and Governments. Across all that he does, he taps into the power of creativity to innovate lives, bottom lines, organizations and the communities which sustain us. The Pan African Chamber of Commerce is currently active in more than 10 countries in Africa and has offices in the United States,Australia and Europe.
He is a member of the Small Business Institute (South Africa) that he represents at NEDLAC ( National Economic Development and Labour Council) and served in 2019 as member of the World Trade Organization/International Chamber of Commerce committee on medium and small enterprises
He is also the President of Blacks in Technology South Africa, Country lead for the Atlanta Black Chambers of Commerce, founder of the Pan African Music Awards and the Hollywood African Film Festival.
johnny@panafricanchamber.com