Jury international
Jury international pour les courts-métrages
Elizabeth Gomis
Elizabeth Gomis, also known as Liz, is a French journalist, filmmaker, and lecturer at Sciences Po Paris. A graduate of the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris , where she studied cultural mediation and audiovisual journalism, she is dedicated to amplifying contemporary African voices. She began her career at Radio Nova and in 2020 launched the media platform OFF TO while curating the Africa2020 Season with the Institut Français. Named one of the 100 Women of Culture in 2022, Liz draws on her African heritage and Western upbringing to tell untold stories through documentary film.
Douglas Hamandishe
Douglas Hamandishe is a mental health nurse, digital influencer, and author of The AI Success. Passionate about human behavior and innovation, he blends clinical insight with bold digital strategy to transform healthcare. As founder of BRANDMii, he helps build standout brand identities, and through his podcast The Mic Drop Club, he shares energizing insights and inspiring interviews to motivate listeners to live boldly and make life boom.
Jon Rabaud
Jon Rabaud is a Mauritian film director, writer, editor, casting director, and producer. With an impressive filmography that includes four episodes of Agent, the South African Netflix series shot largely in Mauritius, he is best known for The Blue Penny. Jon brings bold, local storytelling to global screens and currently serves as Managing Director of Magic Wheel Pictures, where he champions Mauritian talent in international cinema.
Jury international pour les jeux-vidéo
Meling Balloo
Meling Balloo is a broadcast journalist and media personality from France and Mauritius. She began her career at the young age of 12 on Mauritius’ Kool FM and studied Broadcast and Media Communication in Paris. Meling has hosted shows on FinTech, culture, and business, and currently presents Au Féminin and Pop Culture on Kool FM. As an experienced emcee, she has hosted events for clients like The State Bank of Mauritius and the European Union, known for her engaging storytelling.
Matthieu Maunier-Rossi
Matthieu Maunier-Rossi is a Paris-based screenwriter and director whose work centers on geography and travel. Between 2014 and 2017, he explored the Caribbean, seeking fresh stories that inspired his book Les îles buissonnières (2018). After spending over a year working with NGOs in Haiti, Matthieu returned in 2018 to direct the film Three Blades, continuing his commitment to telling compelling, place-driven narratives.
Marie Pierre Thiam
Marie Pierre Thiam is a game designer and project manager passionate about shaping impactful gaming experiences. With a background in engineering and computer science, she found her calling in game development at KTM Advance. Now Game Design Lead at Game Hub Senegal, she mentors young talent and helps grow West Africa’s gaming scene. Marie champions better representation of women in games and dreams of creating a global hit that highlights Africa’s creative talent.