Lara Utian-Preston is a vastly experienced and committed communications and strategy expert with a focus on the development of the African creative industries.

Two decades of hands-on experience across Africa, combined with her intensive research and training expertise, have provided her with the big-picture insights that have made her one of the leading voices in the space. Her career has spanned work from the coal-face of producing concerts and film festivals, to strategic consulting and project management for non-profits, top brands, and events.

After nearly fifteen years at the helm of the well-known publicity and communications agency that she founded in 2006, Red Flag Media, Lara has more recently moved into a consulting, training and strategic role. As a committed believer in Africa-Futurism and firmly optimistic about the future of the continent, Lara is focusing her energies on forming strategic partnerships, developing strategies for viable events and interventions in the film space, and on training and development.

With 10 years’ experience in the media and communications industry, Journalism graduate Chanelle Ellaya is a seasoned Writer and Editor with wide-ranging experience spanning the publishing, digital and television industries.

After five years as Editor of Screen Africa magazine – Africa’s oldest film and advertising publication – Chanelle joined the Ladima Foundation as website and social media manager, and now Project Coordinator of the Ladima Film Academy.

Chanelle strongly believes in the power of media and content, in all forms, as a tool to ignite change in society. When she’s not working, you can find her indulging her love for live music and documentaries.

Born in Jamaica, Patrice Carter was raised in the South Florida sun and the New York City film industry. Her career started with a passion for creating powerful imagery through film and continues to shape her current work in documentary. Patrice is an experienced manager and creative strategist with a career that spans 15+ years in the entertainment and nonprofit industries managing acclaimed personalities and brands, driving creation, building & executing projects and seeking the right talent & partnerships to do it with.

Theresa Hill has worked in the documentary film industry for over 20 years. She is the Deputy Director at STEPS (Social Transformation and Empowerment Projects), a non- profit organisation that is passionate about the power of documentary film to disrupt, shift, and move the world around us.

As part of STEPS, she has worked on the award-winning: “Steps for the Future”,”Why Democracy?”, “Why Poverty?”, and “Generation Africa” documentary projects.

Theresa Hill is in charge of distribution, handles acquisitions, and curates the catalogue for the free-to-view AfriDocs online documentary platform. 

Malu is Francophone and has a diverse background, ranging from different aspects of journalism to communications and project management within intense and often difficult challenging and political environments. Her vast network and marketing skills are a major asset to the Foundation. .