Despierto
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Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
6:00PM – 6:30PM
Director & Host
In Mexico City, Juan Daniel García Treviño and Sasha Gonzalez explore their connection as a passage to different dimensions.
Opening up the infinite possibilities of dream states through the lens of real couples, director Ariel Danziger captures Mexican actors Juan Daniel García Treviño and Sasha Gonzalez in a parallel world for short film Despierto. An intimate portrait, told from a different dimension, Despierto journeys deep into Dani and Sasha’s relationship as they marvel at the dreams accessed through their connection, contemplating the profound forces that bring them together in the present.
“Despierto explores the existence of different dimensions and delves into Dani and Sasha’s bond. The process was one for the books. We gathered all our friends, bought some 16mm film, practically borrowed a home, and flew to Mexico City. Two weeks later, we had it shot.”
Shooting on 16mm film at a borrowed home in Mexico City, Danziger developed an intricate visual narrative around Dani and Sasha’s private realm – casting a dreamlike filter over the world they share. Continuing the themes explored in 2020’s Somewhere, Despierto imagines the impenetrable bubble of romance as a passage to new realities, and how these imagined worlds materialize around us.
Invisible Beauty
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Date
Wed, Oct 8
Time
7:00PM – 9:00PM
Director & Host
Coming soon.
Where I Became
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Date
Tue, Oct 8
Time
5:00PM – 7:00PM
Director & Host
TBD
Coming soon.
Gaps
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Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
7:00PM – 7:30PM
Director & Host
Jenn Shaw
Coming soon.
Letter to Rosie
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Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
6:00PM – 6:30PM
Director & Host
LETTER TO ROSIE captures an intimate portrait about survival, self worth, self love, and overcoming all of life’s obstacles. Matt’s tormented past sexual and physical abusive life finds its way into this visually depiction. Matt’s last letter he wrote to his deceased mother. Narrated by MATT SANCHEZ. Who at the young age now of 21 has lived through more pain and suffering than most young men. But this story isn’t about MATT The VICTIM it’s about MATT the survivor. Our story is told to help heal others. To inspire, to trigger something within.
The Making of a Matriarch
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Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
5:30PM – 6:00PM
Director & Host
This “love letter to grandma” is voiced by a third-generation Dominican-American filmmaker as she uncovers her family heritage by examining the life of her grandmother who immigrated to the U.S in the 1960s.
Blue
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Date
Tue, Oct 7
Time
5:00PM – 5:30PM
Director & Host
BLUE — is a layered romantic dramedy about possibly finding love, maybe losing love, and definitely finding yourself, in an era ruled by devices and emojis. When a heart-on-her-sleeve woman (Imani Cheadle) has a surprise reunion with an old friend, the ensuing roller-coaster culminates in a chance encounter with the love of her life.
From the Continent to Culture: The Women Redefining Africa’s Voice in Advertising & Marketing
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Date
Wed, Oct 8
Time
3:30PM – 4:15PM
Stage
Premier stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Co-founder, Afropolitan
Head of Special Projects, Afrofuture and Founder of Harlem to Homeland
Founder & CEO, Next Narrative Africa
Founder & CEO, Hanahana Beauty
Across global advertising, marketing, media, and culture, Africa’s influence is undeniable. From the global rise of Afrobeats and the trendsetting power of African creators on social media, to the athletic dominance of African talent in sports and the infusion of African design, textures, and aesthetics into fashion, beauty, and brand storytelling—Africa is a cultural force reshaping the world.
At the heart of this influence are women across the Diaspora quietly leading strategy, shaping narratives, and driving cultural relevance for some of today’s most impactful brands. Yet, despite their vision and contributions, they remain largely invisible in global industry data and recognition.
This panel brings the Ad-frican Women’s Collective center stage: a newly formed global network of women in advertising, marketing, and business who believe the progression of African culture and influence rests in the powerful, visionary hands of women leaders and entrepreneurs across the continent and Diaspora. Five founding members of the collective will share why this platform was created and why it matters in today’s global and cultural climate.
How Black Creators are Unlocking Brand Growth Globally: Unveiling Trends and Insights
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Date
Wed, Oct 8
Time
12:00PM – 12:45PM
Stage
Salon stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Global Chief Diversity & Social Impact Officer at Interpublic
Head of Revenue & Strategic Growth, The Shade Room
EVP, Growth Analytics, Mediabrands
Beauty Editor-at-Large at Cosmopolitan Magazine, Award-winning Storyteller & Brand Consultant
EVP, Growth Analytics, Mediabrands
Wendi Dunlap, EVP, Business Intelligence & Audience Science, MediaHub WW
Black creators aren’t just shaping culture. They’re shaping the future of brand growth. Drawing from insights in MAGNA and The Shade Room’s Cultural Capital report, this conversation reveals how authentic storytelling, cultural authority, and global influence from Black creators are rewriting the rules of engagement between audiences and brands.
More Than Representation: Building a Legacy That Lasts
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Date
Wed, Oct 8
Time
12:15PM – 1:00PM
Stage
Impact stage
Address
Spring Studios
50 Varick St,
New York, NY 10013
Speakers & Moderators
Artist, Writer, Witness
Chief Communications Officer, Procter & Gamble
Representation was the first step. Now, Lena Waithe pushes the conversation further—toward ownership, impact, and legacy. In a cultural moment where hard-won progress feels fragile, she challenges us to ask: what will we leave behind, and how will our voices shape the future? Waithe makes the case that raising the stakes in our storytelling is not just important, it is essential for survival in times of division and erasure.