Meet the global leaders whose vision, expertise, and passion drive the ACI Film Festival forward.
Multi-Award-Winning Storyteller · Bestselling Author · TED Speaker
Dr. Prachi Gupta is a powerhouse of creativity, intellect, and leadership. She is a bestselling author of 11 books, a TED speaker, and the dynamic CEO of ENN360 — a leading education enterprise — and Galleon Book Publishing House.
Having studied journalism and film writing in Michigan, she also holds a PhD in Vastu Shastra, uniquely blending ancient wisdom with a modern vision. As the Brand Ambassador for the Research Foundation of India, Dr. Gupta has made a significant mark in cinema.
Her acclaimed short film, International Padman, earned 11 national and two international awards. She is the former National Joint Secretary for Global Film, Television & Artist Federation in India.
Globally celebrated for her impact, Dr. Gupta was honored with the Karmaveer Chakra Award in 2025 and is a Padma Shri nominee. She has graced the covers of numerous national and international magazines and recently signed a contract for an upcoming Bollywood film.
Director · Writer · Producer · Founder, Legacy Land Pictures
Nicanson Guerrier began his career in film by reading "How to Write a Screenplay That Sells" and from there wrote and produced his first screenplay "Know Thy Enemy," a Lionsgate-released cautionary tale about the pitfalls of the music industry.
His second screenplay, "The Flea," a comedy about the day in the life of a flea market manager, saw Nicanson make his directorial debut. Filmed in just 8 days with a budget of only $14,000, the film was released in 2019.
A Miami native, Nicanson gained extensive experience as part of production teams for live events such as Super Bowls XLI, XLIII, XLIV, Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, America's Got Talent, and reality shows including Top Chef, The Bachelor, and Love & Hip-Hop Miami.
He established Legacy Land Pictures alongside former NFL star Kenny Phillips. His latest project, 'The Mecca: Legends of Traz Powell Stadium', is a documentary set for its world debut at The Miami International Film Festival in April 2026.
With over 15 years of industry experience and inspired by Spike Lee, Robert Rodriguez, and F. Gary Gray, Nicanson is poised to ignite the South Florida film scene and beyond.
Internationally Renowned Cultural Producer · Dancer · Choreographer
Mninawa Mangweni is an internationally renowned dancer, choreographer, and cultural producer with over two decades of experience shaping the performing arts scene in South Africa and abroad.
Hailing from the vibrant community of Kwazakhele, Gqeberha, Mninawa's innovative choreography has earned recognition both locally and internationally for promoting African culture on the global stage. He won the prestigious Isakhono Performing Arts Award for Musical Theatre & Dance Fellow in 2024.
He is the first African to perform at the Pearl International Cultural Festival in Thailand and the first African dancer to host performances and workshops at the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships, sailing across 6 African and 8 European countries. He toured 35 schools in France teaching dance across 15 cities.
He was the face of the Diski Dance in Nelson Mandela Bay during the 2010 FIFA World Cup and won the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts & Culture Award for Best Dance Production: Imvano, the Musical.
Mninawa annually produces the eStage Udaba Dance Festival in partnership with the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex, employing over 100 dancers. He is commissioned by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism Department to provide entertainment for cruise ships, international delegations, and strategic events.
Business Mentor Coach. Mindset Business Mentor. Top 15 Coach Paris 2023. Certified Closer. Creator of ©LoveClosing. LinkedIn Business Trainer.
Her work unfolds across two dimensions:
1) Societal Commitment:
Committed to an enlightened sisterhood (intentional and strategic), Dr. Murielle THEZENAS is convinced that gender equality does not lack laws, but rather a conscious and strategic sisterhood that fosters strong, meaningful bonds between women.
As G100 Country Chair for Oneness & Wisdom, France, she works to embed women's voices within a logic of sororal grounding and systemic impact — building bridges across sectors, territories and decision-making spheres.
She is also the Founding President of the Réseau Femmes Inspirantes (RFI), an association created in 2019 that now brings together a community of over 42,000 online members around a shared ambition: making entrepreneurial sisterhood a concrete lever for leadership, transmission and social cohesion.
Her motto: "Alone I am strong. Together we are POWERFUL."
Dr. Murielle THEZENAS speaks on the themes of sisterhood, female entrepreneurship and feminine leadership.
More info at www.muriellethezenas.fr/monengagement
2) Business
Dr. Murielle THEZENAS leads Cabinet JETHRO Consulting, a consultancy specializing in SME business development and a certified Professional Training Organization.
As a Business Coaching Expert, Certified Closer and Mindset Business Mentor, her mission is to heal the "sales ailments" of women entrepreneurs, coaches, trainers, freelancers.
Noticing that many women entrepreneurs associate selling with pressure or manipulation, she created ©Love Closing: a unique closing method that teaches them to sell in an ethical and aligned way, honoring their feminine energy and leadership.
Ranked among the Top 15 Coaches in Paris 2023 by Influence Digest Media, she has supported 800+ women entrepreneurs in growing their sales with Love, Alignment and Assertiveness, to run their businesses successfully and achieve the financial freedom they aspire to.
Dr. Murielle THEZENAS speaks on the themes of ethical closing, business development, organic LinkedIn Social Selling and entrepreneurial leadership.
Full presentation at www.gamma.app/docs/5lbhe4xyjet8u9m
Award-winning Director, Screenwriter & producer
Henri Joseph Koumba is a Gabonese director, screenwriter, and producer. He has directed several critically acclaimed films.
In 1982, he was second assistant director to Toni Aboyantz, in charge of local casting for Serge Gainsbourg's "Equateur."
In 1986, he made a splash in the African film industry with his short film "Le Singe fou" (The Mad Monkey), a 16-minute (26-minute) film that garnered numerous awards: Carthage Film Festival 1986: Best First Feature Award and Arab Journalists' Critics' Prize / FESPACO 1987: Grand Prize for Short Film / ACCT 1987: Second Jury Mention at the Short Film Biennial.
From 1993 to 1994, he directed the 5th and 6th episodes of the Gabonese revolutionary television series "L'Auberge du salut" (The Inn of Salvation), produced by CENACI (26-minute video). In 1997, he was the Executive Producer of "Oréga," a 3-episode series of 52-minute episodes produced by CENACI.
In 1999, he was the Executive Producer of "Au commencement était le verbe" (In the Beginning Was the Word), a 52-minute video documentary about the Mvett (traditional Gabonese music) by Antoine Abessolo Minko.
In 2000, he directed the 35-minute feature film Les Couilles de l'éléphant (The Elephant's Balls) (1 hour 40 minutes). Philippe Maury played the lead role in this cinematic masterpiece.
In 2003, he was President of the Jury for the FESPACO 2003 Short Film Festival. In 2004, he directed the first six episodes of "Les Années-Ecole," a 24-episode series of 26-minute episodes. He also served as its executive producer. In 2011, he directed the 35-minute feature film "Le Collier du Makoko." It has a running time of 1 hour and 48 minutes.
From 2015 to 2017, he was the executive producer of various productions, including the feature film "Matris" by Fernand Lepoko; the series "Chez Ombalo" by Nadine Otsobogo and "Sens dessus-dessous" by Matamba Kombila; and the films "Le dernier conseil" by Jean Claude Cheyssial and "Félicité" by Alain Gomis. He has also worked in advertising and corporate video.
Since 2020, he has been firmly committed to training in film and audiovisual professions. He created the Philippe Maury Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema (IPMAC) within the EM-Gabon University group. A fitting tribute to the father of Gabonese cinema and one of the pioneers of sub-Saharan African cinema.
