2026 Speaker Bios

The non-profit International Christian Visual Media Association (ICVM)) created MediaSphere events to reach out and lift up Godly filmmakers around the globe. ICVM partnered with the Christian European Visual Media Association (CEVMA) to create MediaSphere Africa, working with continental partners MZIAIF, AFEDRAM, ACVMN, GCI, and others.

More than an event, MediaSphere Africa is a movement committed to nurturing a sustainable ecosystem where African faith-based filmmakers can flourish regardless of location. By fostering cross-country partnerships, connecting creatives to global industry leaders, and providing real pathways for production, distribution, and investment, the platform empowers storytellers with the tools and relationships needed to thrive. MediaSphere Africa exists to amplify the storytelling voices across the African continent, expand creative capacity, and cultivate faith-driven stories that carry spiritual depth, cultural relevance, and have the ability to find audiences across the globe —all within a powerful one-day interactive virtual engagement accessible to participants across Africa and beyond.

ICVM & CEVMA Presents:

MediaSphere Africa 2026

MediaSphere Africa 2026 is a one-day virtual continental gathering designed to ignite, equip, and elevate a new generation of African Christian filmmakers & storytellers. This very interactive online experience brings together filmmakers, content creators, distributors, media innovators & investors, ministry leaders, and industry professionals who believe in the power of film to shape culture and communicate His message of hope across borders. Held entirely virtually for maximum accessibility, MediaSphere Africa offers a dynamic blend of inspiration and practical empowerment—featuring transformative keynote sessions, technical workshops, strategic networking rooms, and opportunities for cross-African collaboration.

Kunle Falodun,
Veteran Media Executive

Kunle Falodun is a veteran media executive with over two decades of experience in global entertainment content and distribution across Sub-Saharan Africa. He formerly served as the Vice President, Distribution Africa for Sony Pictures Television—the first person to hold that pioneering role when it was created in 2017. Before joining Sony, he played key roles in building pan-African free-to-air networks and affiliate partnerships through platforms such as Kwesé Media. In 2025, he co-founded House of Faith Africa (FaithStream), a faith-based entertainment ecosystem delivering Christian media content to global audiences. Kunle brings to MediaSphere Africa deep industry expertise in content strategy and distribution, along with a strong vision to empower African Christian creatives to reach the world with faith-rooted stories.

Mike Bamiloye
Chairman, MZIAIF

Mike Bamiloye is a pioneer of Christian cinema in Nigeria—an actor, director, producer, dramatist, and evangelist whose career spans four decades. He is the Founder and President of Mount Zion Faith Ministries, established in 1985 as Nigeria’s leading faith-based film ministry. As Chairman of the Mount Zion Institute Alumni International Fellowship (MZIAIF), he provides strategic leadership to a global network of gospel filmmakers. Under his guidance, Mount Zion has produced over 200 films that have shaped the identity of African gospel cinema. His work blends deep Christian conviction with compelling storytelling to communicate spiritual truth and moral transformation. At MediaSphere Africa, he brings unmatched filmmaking experience and a model for sustainable, faith-driven film production across the continent.

Paul Sirmons
President of ICVM

Paul Sirmons is the President of ICVM (International Christian Visual Media), the world’s largest network of Christian film and media professionals, representing members from more than 20 countries. ICVM oversees the globally respected Crown Awards, which celebrate excellence in faith-based filmmaking and elevate the standards of Christian media worldwide. Paul brings a strong international perspective on media quality, collaboration, and the infrastructure required for faith-based films to succeed across borders. His leadership has strengthened global partnerships, distribution pathways, and industry mentorship for Christian creatives. At MediaSphere Africa, he connects African filmmakers to worldwide networks, opening doors to collaboration, visibility, and greater global impact.

Ben Wiener
Producer and entrepreneur

Benoit Lachaise Wiener is a French producer and entrepreneur specializing in film, television, and digital media content. Based in the Paris region, he develops and produces projects spanning feature films, series, and innovative digital and interactive formats. Benoit combines creative leadership with strategic business planning, overseeing development, financing, production, and post-production workflows. He has led multidisciplinary teams and international collaborations, including projects integrating streaming technologies and gamified platforms connected to social media ecosystems. He has also held executive roles at SYLOE Group and SYLOE Production, driving film, video, and television programming initiatives. At MediaSphere Africa, Benoit brings expertise in cross-border production, digital innovation, and scalable content strategies for global audiences.

Beverly Holloway
CSA - Owner, BHCasting

Beverly Holloway is a highly respected casting director with over 30 years of experience in television and feature films and a proud member of the Casting Society of America. She has cast projects across virtually every genre, including drama, comedy, faith and family, action, thriller, westerns, and animation. Beverly is one of the casting directors for the globally acclaimed series The Chosen (Seasons 1–4), contributing to its worldwide success. Her notable credits also include Unsung Hero, The Forge, A Week Away, I Still Believe, and I Can Only Imagine Parts 1 and 2. Renowned for discovering talent and assembling powerful ensembles, Beverly brings deep industry insight into casting excellence and storytelling impact. At MediaSphere Africa, she offers invaluable perspective on casting, talent development, and building compelling performances for global audiences.

Anita Edwards
CEO TNT Distribution Ltd.

Anita Edwards is a leading film distribution executive and producer with over a decade of experience across Nigeria’s film, television, and business sectors. She began her career in post-production and content creation before transitioning into film distribution in 2019 as Head of Distribution at Lexanton Nigeria Limited. In 2020, she founded The World Stage Distribution Limited, expanding content distribution across six African countries and the United States. In 2023, she co-founded Tribe Nation Theatrical Distribution Limited, where she serves as CEO, building a theatrical distribution network across 11 African countries, including French West Africa. Under her leadership, Tribe Nation has released major titles such as Force Empire, Trepidation, and The Presidency, and led the West African theatrical release of The Chosen: Last Supper in Nigeria and Ghana. Anita’s work continues to bridge markets, cultures, and audiences while advancing the global reach of African cinema.

Rex Nwakamma
MBA, CEO SageAlive Group & Director of MZIAIF ICFF

Rex Nwakamma is a media executive, technology consultant, and faith and family based film maker in Texas. He is the CEO of SageAlive Group leading multidisciplinary consultancy work across media, AI, IT, healthcare, and strategy, with clients including The Chosen, the U.S. Government, Coca-Cola, and other global institutions. A seasoned filmmaker and global missionary, Rex serves as the Film Festival Director of the prestigious MZIAIF International Christian Film Festival (ICFF) and sits on boards of several faith-based and nonprofit organizations. He has produced and directed numerous faith and family films and has played key roles in media training, consultancy and deployment across churches and organizations. Beyond media, he is deeply committed to charity and global mission work, co-founding The Destiny Global Foundation to support vulnerable families and advance access to care and knowledge. His work bridges faith, media, technology, and impact—championing storytelling as a tool for cultural and spiritual transformation.

Bright Wonder
Founder and CEO of High Definition Film Studio

Bright Wonder Obasi is a seasoned film and television writer, producer, director, and film festival curator with over two decades of experience in faith-based and socially impactful storytelling. He is the Founder and CEO of High Definition Film Studio and Academy, where he has produced and directed award-winning films such as Chains, If I Am President, and Broken. Bright is also the Executive Director of Films For Impact Foundation and Festival, mentoring and supporting filmmakers committed to societal transformation through film. As Founder and President of Gospel Cinema International, he leads a global Christian film ministry focused on motion picture evangelism across multiple platforms. With a multidisciplinary background spanning engineering, behavioral insight, and filmmaking, Bright brings a unique blend of creative excellence, strategic thinking, and kingdom-driven vision to MediaSphere Africa.

Laju Iren
Pastor, Author, Filmmaker, and Storyteller

Laju Iren is a pastor, author, filmmaker, and storyteller passionately committed to pointing people to a Christ-centered understanding of purpose, relationships, and identity. Fondly known as The Lord’s Storyteller, she is the author of several acclaimed books including Dating Intelligently, Selfies With Bible Girls, Girl-Cyclopaedia, Mirror, Mirror, and the Christian novels Loving Amanda and Finding Miriam. As a filmmaker, she wrote, directed, and produced Love Is a Starand During Ever After, both of which achieved strong viewership milestones shortly after release. She is the Founder of the Christian Storyteller Prize, Africa’s premier prize for Christ-centered stories. Through her teaching, writing, and films, Laju consistently blends faith, creativity, and cultural relevance to communicate God’s love in deeply engaging ways. She reaches tens of thousands globally through her books, digital platforms, and media channels.

Moses Babatope
CEO of The Nile Media Entertainment Group

Moses Babatope is a leading executive in Nigeria’s film and entertainment industry with over two decades of experience across cinema operations, distribution, and production. He is the Group CEO of The Nile Media Entertainment Group, overseeing Nile Cinemas, Nile Entertainment, and Nile Motion Pictures, with a focus on redefining African storytelling and expanding digital access and monetisation for filmmakers. Moses previously co-founded Filmhouse Group and served as Managing Director of FilmOne Entertainment, playing a pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s modern box office landscape. A strong advocate for Africa’s creative economy, he has built strategic bridges between Nollywood and global markets. He was recently appointed to the Advisory Committee for TIFF: The Market, the new industry platform of the Toronto International Film Festival, launching in 2026. Moses is also a member of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which oversees the International Emmy Awards.

Matrid Inyagah
Award-winning filmmaker, pastor, and visionary storyteller

Matrid Nyagah is an award-winning filmmaker, pastor, and visionary storyteller with over 13 years of experience using film and immersive media to proclaim the Gospel and shape culture for God’s Kingdom. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Fearless Films, with acclaimed works including Watu Wote, Softie, Where the River Divides, and the VR experience In My Head. Beyond filmmaking, Matrid is a mentor, author, and consultant deeply committed to discipling creatives through faith, excellence, and integrity. She is a founding member of the African Christian Visual Media Network and the Founder and Director of the Creatives Discipleship Global Movement. Through every project and platform, Matrid remains focused on glorifying God, impacting lives, and making Jesus known through powerful storytelling.

Brian Kelley
CEVMA

Brian D. Kelley is an American producer based in Europe with over four decades of experience in international film, television, and series production across Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America. A pioneer in digital media, he played a key role during the 1990s satellite revolution, collaborating with the European Space Agency on experimental direct-to-home broadcasts and landmark early live-streaming initiatives. He also served as the first international sales agent for Beijing TV, helping emerging broadcasters launch content across MENA and Central Europe. Brian has produced a wide range of series, documentaries, educational programs, and feature films, working closely with independent filmmakers and authentic storytellers. Beyond production, he is a songwriter, composer, and board member of international media organizations focused on training and mentoring the next generation of global storytellers.

Agenda

MediaSphere Africa 2026 is a one-day virtual gathering designed to ignite, equip, and elevate a new generation of African Christian filmmakers & storytellers.