ICVM Exhibit
Hosted by Paul Sirmons, President of ICVM
About
ICVM
ICVM celebrates 53 years serving the Christian film and media industry through events and membership that bring together storytellers, producers, distributors, and investors internationally.
Lean More
ICVM serves the Christian film and media industry through events and membership that bring together international storytellers, producers, distributors, and investors. For over 50 years, ICVM has hosted the annual Storytellers Conference and Crown Awards, honoring the best in Christian film and media. ICVM continues to expand through events like the MediaSphere, the Christian Film Market, the Script & Story Pitch-A-Thon, and more.
The Team
Felix Bankhole - Continental Coordinator of AFEDRAM (Africa Fellowship of Evangelical Drama Ministers and Filmmakers)
FELIX BANKHOLE – Continental Coordinator of AFEDRAM (Africa Fellowship of Evangelical Drama Ministers and Filmmakers) which is the umbrella body for all National Christian Drama and Film Associations on the African continent. It was founded by Evangelist & Filmmaker Mike Bamiloye, the President of Mount Zion Faith Ministries. Felix is a visionary playwright, director, and faith-based media leader with more than two decades of experience in Christian storytelling and global filmmaking. With AFEDRAM, he has pioneered impactful productions and training initiatives across over 30 African nations, using multilingual and culturally sensitive narratives to bridge spiritual and social divides. Felix also serves as the President and Director of Vision Drama Missions Outreach International, where he leads the Vision Network — a global platform dedicated to advancing gospel-centered film and theater. Under his leadership, the network has produced and directed over 50 multilingual films and launched innovative faith-based digital storytelling projects. He integrates cutting-edge technology, including AI-generated media, to reach broader audiences and mentor the next generation of Christian creatives.
Ava (Aser) Seifu - Ethiopia-based - Co-founder & leader of ACVMN (African Christian Visual Media Network) based in Ethiopia,
Ava is a filmmaker, educator, and digital missionary based in Ethiopia, with over 15 years of experience in the film and media industry. He has produced a wide range of creative works, including short films, documentaries, and other visual content. For a decade, he led and taught in a college film and media department, mentoring the next generation of storytellers. Ava is the co-founder and leader of the African Christian Visual Media Network (ACVMN)—a vibrant community where African Christian filmmakers. He currently serves with Great Commission Ethiopia as a digital missionary, where he is dedicated to training and producing impactful digital content for ministry and outreach.
Rex Nwakamna - Nigeria / Texas - Leader for MZIAIF (Mt. Zion Institute Alumni Film Int'l. Fellowship)
Rex Nwakamma is a distinguished Christian film director, playwright, and producer currently based in Katy, Texas. He currently serves as the Film Festival Director for the MZIAIF International Christian Film Festival, a global platform that celebrates and amplifies the voice of faith-based filmmakers. As an alumnus and active member of the Mount Zion Institute Association International Fellowship (MZIAIF), he contributes significantly to the growth and strategic direction of Christian drama and film missions worldwide. Professionally, Rex is the CEO of SageAlive Group, a diversified consultancy firm with service arms in media, healthcare, IT, and financial strategy. With over 15 years of leadership in healthcare practice management, IT systems engineering, and nonprofit development, he provides cross-sector advisory support to organizations across continents. Alongside his wife, Lola Rex-Nwakamma, he co-founded The Destiny Global Foundation, a nonprofit established in memory of their late daughter, dedicated to equipping underserved families with access to healthcare education and support for congenital and maternal health challenges. He is happily married to Lola Rex-Nwakamma and are blessed with four children ~ Divine, Dominion, Delight and David.
Paul Sirmons, President
Paul Sirmons is an independent filmmaker with 40 years experience, the first 20 as a DGA Asst. Director on many TV series including THE WALTONS, QUANTUM LEAP, SEAQUEST & FALCON CREST. The last 20 years he’s been producing movies and TV shows, focusing more on faith-based and family productions. Paul served as Florida’s State Film Commissioner, appointed by then-Governor Jeb Bush, from 2005 to 2008, and wrote Florida’s first successful film incentive bill. He most recently produced the movies TE ATA and MONTFORD: THE CHICKASAW RANCHER, and line-produced the faith-based movies HOME RUN, LETTERS TO GOD and TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS. He’s been president of ICVM for five years, leading a Board with hearts to help Christian filmmakers.
Exhibit Agenda
ICVM Exhibit for MediaSphere (2:30pm – 4:30pm EST)
2:30pm – 3:00pm ET — ICVM CROWN AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS & Q&A — Learn why the Crown Awards has become the Christian alternative to the ‘Oscars’. How winning helps you in ways other awards can’t. And learn about the 22 categories we offer — plus how to SAVE MONEY before July 1st!
- Witness one of the most powerful moments in Crown Awards Ceremony history: We’ll share the clip of the Overcomer Award presentation was to the director and produced of the movie, JESUS: A Deaf Missions Film. Both are deaf, and their acceptance speech was simply breathtaking.
- Learn about our 22 categories and ask any questions you have about the Crown Awards!
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3:00pm – 3:30pm ET – AFRICAN FILMMAKER FOCUS – MEET & GREET!
We may be virtual, but we can be interactive too!
Come meet & hear from our 3 special guests who run Christian film groups in Africa — and hear the big announcement of ICVM’s new event for the African continent!
– REX NWAKAMMA – Nigeria / Texas – He’s a leader for MZIAIF (Mt. Zion Institute Alumni Film Int’l. Fellowship)
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– AVA (ASER) SEIFU – Ethiopia-based – He is co-founder & leader of ACVMN (African Christian Visual Media Network) based in Ethiopia, but serving multiple countries in Africa who gather bi-weekly to connect, collaborate, and grow together.
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FELIX BANKHOLE – Continental Coordinator of AFEDRAM (Africa Fellowship of Evangelical Drama Ministers and Filmmakers) which is the umbrella body for all National Christian Drama and Film Associations on the African continent. centered film and theater.
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3:30pm – 4:00pm ET — RESCUING THE HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN FILMS!
– Join us to learn about the work of GOSPEL FILMS LIBRARY, which has already rescued about 4,000 Christian films nearly lost to degradation and poor storage. A number of films and TV series featured Hollywood’s early stars. ICVM is joining in the effort to save these historic films and preserve them for the future. Learn the titles, and how you can help! GFL has put in place big plans to make a desperate effort to RESCUE MORE GOSPEL FILMS from being lost forever! They must be saved now!
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4:00pm – 5:00pm — ICVM MENTOR ROOM!
Our Storytellers Conference features occasional ‘Mentor Rooms‘, where we put an ICVM Board member — all of whom are professionals in our industry — into a room and attendees can stop by and ask them any questions about anything they want. It’s been very popular with writers, filmmakers, actors and more!
We’ll have a few of our Board members here in our virtual ‘Mentor Room’ to answer any question you have — free advice that might even be helpful! Stop by and ask away!
Learn More About ICVM
ICVM serves the Christian film and media industry through events and membership that bring together storytellers, distributors, and investors.