Official Selection Jury 2024

We would like to extend a very big thank you to all our Official Selection Jury who participated in the 1st edition of AAIFF Africa – The All African Independent Film Festival. This festival would not be possible without the support, expertise, and generosity of our exceptional jury. Our jury is not only what make our festival possible, but they play a large part in what makes our festival special. Their tireless help, passion, and energy enable us to provide a unique venue for emerging innovative and cinematic talent to gain international recognition. We think that we speak on behalf of everyone in saying that we are extremely grateful for all the hard work and time that our jury has put forward to making this festival happen. We are beyond excited for the 1st edition of the festival and we couldn’t have done it without them!

Scott Hillier

Scott Hillier is an Australian Director / Cinematographer / Screenwriter. Scott studied film at New York University and The London Film and Television school as well as literary non-fiction writing at Columbia University. He has taught a Master’s Degree course in Screenwriting as well as journalism at the Centre de Formation des Journaliste (CFJ) in Paris. In addition to serving as President of ÉCU – The European Independent Film Festival, he is also Chief Creative Officer for the Zs2 Media Group in Paris.

Will Mbiakop

Innovative, versatile, driven, Will Mbiakop is a multi-skilled business leader with over 15 year experience in sports business, strategy and business development in the EMEA region.
With a proven track record in consulting, sports, media and entertainment, Will is an exciting speaker at prominent international summits and conferences.
Will has a special interest in the convening and transformative power of Sport & Education in the community, empowering youth while creating business opportunities.
Will holds a MBA with Merit from the Manchester Business School.

Aimée Umutoni

Aimée Umutoni is the managing director of Anda Films 33 with over 10 years of experience in the cinema industry. She’s also the business development officer for AAIFF Africa.

Hilda Awori

Hilda Awori is a Ugandan Multidisciplinary storyteller. She studied at Makerere Univeristy in Kampala, Uganda at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Liberal and performing Arts where she pursued a BA in Drama and Film. Her career started on stage, interning as an actress and writer at Theatre Factory.
She has been involved in a number of stage productions, as a producer and writer for television, and is the director of the impact driven documentary “I won’t kneel”. Being mentored by Oscar-nominated Documentary filmmaker Daphne Matziaraki.
She believes in the transformative power of storytelling and much of the work she is involved in is about using stories for positive change within her community and beyond.

Ivan Makai

Ivan Makai is an artistic individual with a creative outlook. With more than 4 years of experience in creating and producing short videos and movies for personal and corporate projects he is seeking to film moving films that tell a story.
His ability to work on his own or with small to mid-size filming crews has allowed him to direct, write, act and produce more than 5 films and 20 videos in the past three years.

Boris Biaou

Boris Biaou is a french filmmaker, director and screenwriter based in Paris. His short films include FERRARRIE & DILEMMES.

JOYCE MHANGO CHAVULA

Filmmaker. Actress. Arts Trainer. Acting Coach.
Joyce is a Socio-Cultural Animator with over 10 years’ experience in the arts industry as a Leader, Manager, Trainer, Producer, Director and performer. She is the founder of Rising Choreos Theatre, an arts company which she established in 2009 to specialize in Film, Theatre and Dance.She became the first Southern African filmmaker to win the prestigious Africa Magic award (AMVCA) for best Southern African movie for her film titled Lilongwe. She has 3 films to her name which have been screened globally and nominated in various festivals. As a certified arts trainer, she has trained numerous artists in Malawi, Zambia (AWAFFEST), Zimbabwe and Nigeria (AMAA). She has served as a jury at IIFF (ICAPA TRUST) in Zimbabwe and currently one of the organisers for Malawi film festival. She holds various leadership positions in the arts sector and has once served as Vice President for Film Association and President for National Theatre Association of Malawi.