Rashmi Lamba is an influential figure in the Indian film and media industry, with a career spanning film production, advertising, and corporate communications.
In her role as Festival Director, Lamba launched the FICCI FLO Film Festival and led the Mumbai Film Mart and MIFF HUB. Her commitment to social change is evident through her advisory position at the Samabhav Travelling Film Festival by MAVA. She established her film production companies across Mumbai, Dubai, and Toronto and has directed impactful documentaries, including Begumpura – The Wives Colony for OMNI Rogers Network in Canada.
Her contributions to social impact and leadership have earned her accolades and mentorship roles at Aspire For Her and HopeWorks, and she is a Fellow at the Aspire Circle for Enlightened Social Leadership.
Uğur Gallenkuş is a renowned Turkish digital collage artist, celebrated for his evocative works that juxtapose scenes of conflict with images of everyday life to highlight global disparities.
Born in 1990 in Niğde, Türkiye, and now based in Istanbul, Uğur shifted from a corporate career to a focus on art, driven by his response to the disturbing images of the Syrian refugee crisis in 2015.
Through collaborations with organizations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organization Foundation, Uğur leveraged his art to promote social change, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and in campaigns for global equality. In 2021, his work was part of the groundbreaking “Zero Gravity: Is This Our Earth?” digital art exhibition in space, further amplifying his message of social justice.
His ongoing partnership with Médecins Sans Frontières since 2021 has helped raise awareness for global health crises, exemplified by a significant exhibit in Geneva in 2023. Gallenkuş’s first book, Parallel Universes of Children, inspired by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, was published in 2020, with a follow-up expected in 2024.
Charity Ekezie is a dynamic Nigerian journalist and content creator who uses humor and sarcasm to challenge stereotypes about Africa.
With a journalism degree and a vibrant presence on multiple platforms, Ekezie has become a powerful voice in reshaping perceptions of the continent.
Her journey began in 2020, amidst the COVID-19 lockdown, and she has since been a force in advocating for a more nuanced understanding of African cultures and realities. Notably, Charity was the runner-up in the 2022 TikTok Top Creator Awards and has received numerous accolades for her work.
She was further recognized in 2023 when she was named one of the top 100 most influential people in Africa by The New African magazine and Advance Media Africa, underscoring her role in changing narratives and enlightening audiences worldwide.
Ousman Umar
Social Entrepreneur and CEO of NASCO Feeding Minds
Ghana 🇬🇭 / Spain 🇪🇸
@ousmanumar / @ousmanumar
Ousman Umar’s life story is a testament to resilience and dedication.
Born in Ghana and now based in Spain, Umar’s harrowing journey from Africa to Europe as a child — covering over 21,333 km and spanning five years — laid the foundation for his mission to improve educational opportunities in Ghana through his NGO, NASCO Feeding Minds.
After settling in Barcelona and starting as a bicycle mechanic, Umar used his first earnings to launch his NGO in 2012. His memoirs, North to Paradise and Desde el País de los Blancos, recount his formidable journey and have been instrumental in raising awareness about the perils of migration.
Ousman’s work earned him the 2021 Princess of Girona Social Award and his participation in the PEN World Voices Festival and Global Migration Forum at the United Nations highlights his global influence.
In 2024, Umar joined the European Young Leaders (EYL40) program by Friends of Europe, further enhancing his impact as a visionary social entrepreneur.
Darin J. Sallam is a Jordanian filmmaker and writer of Palestinian descent, celebrated for her evocative storytelling and compelling narratives.
A graduate of the Red Sea Institute for Cinematic Arts, Darin has produced five award-winning short films and is a recognized figure in global cinema communities, including Berlinale Talent and the Asia Pacific Screen Academy.
Her debut feature film, Farha, premiered at the 46th Toronto International Film Festival in 2021 and has since won numerous awards, including a historic win at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. Sallam’s directorial achievements led to her selection as Jordan’s representative in the International Feature Film category at the 95th Academy Awards.
Named among Variety’s Impactful International Women of 2023 and a recipient of the IMEU Storyteller Award, Darin’s influence extends beyond film, as she co-founded the production company TaleBox in Amman, furthering her commitment to cinematic excellence and cultural representation.
Paul Choy
IOM National Goodwill Ambassador, Photographer and Writer
Mauritius 🇲🇺 / UK 🇬🇧
@bypaulchoy
Paul Choy is an internationally acclaimed documentary photographer and writer from the United Kingdom, known for his profound ability to capture the essence of human experience through his lens.
Choy’s unique perspective is showcased in evocative photographs and narratives that reveal the unscripted beauty of life, making him a sought-after voice in humanitarian storytelling.
Through his travels and work, Choy continues to illuminate the struggles and triumphs of communities worldwide, dedicating his career to fostering understanding and empathy across cultures.