impACT

Avril Speaks is a producer, director, mentor, and advocate with years of experience in the film industry. She has worked with Film Independent, Sundance Institute, and Distribution Advocates, and taught at Howard University. Avril produced award-winning films like Jinn, Hosea, and African America, which was nominated for multiple awards and acquired by Netflix. As a director, she worked on docu-series like Uprooted (HBOMax) and Keep This Between Us (Freeform/Hulu). She is a recipient of multiple fellowships and awards.

For over 40 years, Film Independent‘s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling in all its forms, and to foster a culture of inclusion, in support of a global community of artists and audiences who embody diversity, innovation, curiosity and uniqueness of vision. In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization helps creative professionals with Education events and workshops and Artist Development programs, grants, and labs.

Amy’s recent Executive Producer and Impact Producer credits include Black Box Diaries (Oscar and Bafta nominee 2025), The End (Joshua Oppenheimer, Tilda Swinton), Io Capitano (Oscar nominee 2024), Navalny (Oscar and Bafta winner 2023), The Territory (Emmy and Peabody winner 2023), and Berlinale-premiered Timestamp.

Think-Film Impact Production is an impact media company, with specialist expertise in the intersection of film and social change. They have worked on movies such as Dark Waters, banning toxic PFAS chemicals in EU, Navalny, driving sanctions against Russia, and The Territory, protecting Indigenous rights in EU deforestation law. They co-launched a new Cannes impACT industry programme with Marche du Film and presented a new collateral Impact Award with Venice Biennale.

Danielle is a Producer of Facing War (2025), and her recent Executive Producer and Impact Producer credits include Black Box Diaries (Oscar and Bafta nominee 2025), The End (Joshua Oppenheimer, Tilda Swinton), Io Capitano (Oscar nominee 2024), Navalny (Oscar and Bafta winner 2023), The Territory (Emmy and Peabody winner 2023).

Think-Film Impact Production is an impact media company, with specialist expertise in the intersection of film and social change. They have worked on movies such as Dark Waters, banning toxic PFAS chemicals in EU, Navalny, driving sanctions against Russia, and The Territory, protecting Indigenous rights in EU deforestation law. They co-launched a new Cannes impACT industry programme with Marche du Film and presented a new collateral Impact Award with Venice Biennale.

Ludovica has been working as a sustainability manager on film sets for several years, while researching and fostering the implementation of sustainable practices, tech and policies among film institutions and the industry. Consolidating her path as CEO for EcoMuvi, she is responsible for the protocol’s most recent upgrade and application on various features and audiovisual projects.

EcoMuvi, created in 2013, analyses all phases of production and works to concretely implement proactive measures of impact reduction for each department and activity. These measures are tailored to each production’s needs and logistically carried out with the help of an experienced EcoMuvi manager. EcoMuvi has been accredited by Accredia as a recognized Eu standard in the September of 2022.

Rania El Mugammar is a Sudanese artist, abolitionist, community organizer, and social justice educator based in Tkaronto (Treaty 13). Rania’s artistic and community work is deeply rooted in Black liberation, decolonization, transformative justice and repair. She is a published writer, award winning organizer, reproductive justice advocate, speaker, arts educator, and multidisciplinary performer.

Photo credit: Pat Kane

Lithuanian film producer Marija Razgutė established M-Films in 2008. She has produced internationally acclaimed talents such as Marija Kavtaradze: Slow (Best Director, Sundance FF, Lithuanian contender for Oscars 2023) Vytautas Katkus: Cherries (Cannes FF, 2022); Karolis Kaupinis: Nova Lituania (Lithuanian contender for Oscars 2019); Andrius Blaževičius: Runner (Shooting Stars 2021), etc. Marija is a member of ACE Producers, EAVE, and EFA Board member.

M-Films is a Lithuanian film production company established by producer Marija Razgutė in 2008. At the moment M-Films is one of the most active companies in the country focusing on international co-productions aimed for cinemas and TV. The award winning company’s editorial line consists of clearly bold and daring stories told by most talented new generation of filmmakers such as Marija Kavtaradze, Karolis Kaupinis, Andrius Blaževičius, Ignas Meilūnas and Vytautas Katkus.

Rosy Hajj is a Lebanese film and TV producer with a Master’s in Production from ALBA. She line-produced Under the Concrete (Roy Arida) and Al Hara (Nicolas Khoury). Invited to Beirut Cinema Platform, Creative Entrepreneurship for Film Producers, and Global Media Makers, she received the Maroun Chammas Award. She founded Oyoy Productions in 2024. And Silence Falls Again is her first feature.

For over 40 years, Film Independent‘s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling in all its forms, and to foster a culture of inclusion, in support of a global community of artists and audiences who embody diversity, innovation, curiosity and uniqueness of vision. In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization helps creative professionals with Education events and workshops and Artist Development programs, grants, and labs.

Katharina Mumper (*1999) grew up in the Rhineland, Germany, and gained her first experience during a three-month production internship at Bild und Ton Fabrik. Since 2021, she has been studying film production with a focus on Executive and Line Producing at the Filmakademie BadenWürttemberg. During her studies, she spent six months in China for an exchange semester at the Beijing Film Academy. Katharina is passionate about bold, progressive films bridging art house and mainstream cinema.

German Films Service + Marketing GmbH is the national information and advisory center for the promotion of German films worldwide and the official external representation for German films appointed by the federal government of Germany. The work focuses on increasing the level of awareness of German films abroad by providing information services as well as initiating PR and marketing measures.

In her work as producer, writer and programmer, Sophia specializes in international co-productions with narrative shifting stories of marginalized communities & female driven topics. After graduating the prestigious international producers program Atelier Ludwigsburg Paris, she is currently in Production of a Feature and two Shorts. Before she worked as Assistant Producer, in international sales (mk2films) and programming for filmfestivals.

German Films Service + Marketing GmbH is the national information and advisory center for the promotion of German films worldwide and the official external representation for German films appointed by the federal government of Germany. The work focuses on increasing the level of awareness of German films abroad by providing information services as well as initiating PR and marketing measures.

Heddwyn is a Creative producer from Kampala Uganda with a passion for telling African stories.

The Great Lakes Creative Producers Lab is a 5-day film development program designed to enhance participants’ networks and producing skills through workshops and mentoring. The program helps emerging producers refine their creative instincts, communication, and problem-solving for their next feature project. The 2023 edition included West African producers and a new documentary producers’ program. In 2024, the lab featured fiction and documentary projects from Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, DRC, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

Gottardo Giatti is the co-founder of Formasette, a production company established in 2007 that has steadily grown into one of the key players in the South Tyrolean audiovisual landscape. Giatti has developed and coordinated the production of several acclaimed projects, working with major international broadcasters such as National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and RAI.

IDM Film Commission Südtirol has operated as a financing and service partner for film and TV productions since 2011. It aims to make South Tyrol known as a production location and to support film projects that are realized in South Tyrol, either in whole or in part. Due to the geographical location and bilingualism of the country, the South Tyrolean Film Fund looks beyond borders and acts as an interface between the film markets of Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.

Film producer and project coordinator with a background in film production, team management, and financing. Passionate about storytelling that challenges societal norms, promotes inclusion, and brings underrepresented voices to the forefront.

IDM Film Commission Südtirol has operated as a financing and service partner for film and TV productions since 2011. It aims to make South Tyrol known as a production location and to support film projects that are realized in South Tyrol, either in whole or in part. Due to the geographical location and bilingualism of the country, the South Tyrolean Film Fund looks beyond borders and acts as an interface between the film markets of Germany, Austria, Italy, and Switzerland.

Espen Larsson is a Sámi director, screenwriter, and producer from Sápmi, Norway. He is the Founder of Finnmark Productions, he focuses on authentic Indigenous storytelling, blending cultural depth with compelling narratives. Recent projects include the comedy De Gjenvendte (2024), Sundance-selected doc Folktales (2025), and upcoming Sámi thriller Sápmi (2026), supported by ISFI and ICA Fellowship.

The International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) is dedicated to providing Sámi people with the skills and economic opportunities to develop, produce, and distribute Sámi films in the Sámi language. We work for more Sámi content in all genres. Through our own stories and films, we fight for the survival of Sámi culture, values, and languages. By telling our stories, we create our future.

Marja Bål Nango is a Sámi film director, screenwriter, and producer. As a director, her award-winning films Hilbes biigá and The Tongues have screened at major festivals worldwide. She co-founded 7išh Film in 2023 with Ingir Bål Nango to champion Sámi ownership and Indigenous storytelling. In 2025, she produces Romssa Táksi and GUSTO GUSTO and serves as the Sámi producer for The Herder, the company’s debut feature in development.

The International Sámi Film Institute (ISFI) is dedicated to providing Sámi people with the skills and economic opportunities to develop, produce, and distribute Sámi films in the Sámi language. We work for more Sámi content in all genres. Through our own stories and films, we fight for the survival of Sámi culture, values, and languages. By telling our stories, we create our future.

Sholeh Alemi Fabbri founded Good Measure Productions in 2021, producing impactful films like the award-winning animated short Meteor (TIFF ’23) by Atefeh Khademolreza. She is currently developing Atefeh and Samuel Kiehoon Lee’s fantasy-realism feature Eclipse with producer Heather Haldane (Maudie). She serves on the board of Artists for Peace and Justice and is a member of the CMPA.

As a Partner of Choice, Telefilm Canada is dedicated to the success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, fostering access and excellence by delivering programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement. With a lens of equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Telefilm bolsters dynamic companies and a range of creative talent at home and around the world.

Kathy-Ann Thomas, a Grenadian Canadian producer, has over 20 years of experience in the film and television industry. As an English-language minority in Quebec, she founded Cotton Bush Productions to amplify diverse voices. Her award-winning shorts include Snow, Red Ruby, A Late Thaw, and The Cradle, with Crocus in post. She’s developing the feature films Moving Day, Hegemon, and Finding Mercy, along with two series.

As a Partner of Choice, Telefilm Canada is dedicated to the success of Canada’s audiovisual industry, fostering access and excellence by delivering programs that support cultural resonance and audience engagement. With a lens of equity, inclusivity and sustainability, Telefilm bolsters dynamic companies and a range of creative talent at home and around the world.