FIONA TANDE, FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Fiona is a driven wildlife conservationist and mid-career wildlife filmmaker born and based in Kenya. Her specialization in community development, wildlife conservation and wildlife filmmaking gives her a unique perspective on telling authentic stories of wild and natural Africa.
Pridelands Wildlife Film Fest is her brainchild born from the recognition of a growing yet underserved community of local filmmakers inclined towards natural history, wildlife and conservation storytelling. She brings together content creators closer to their breakthrough in wildlife filmmaking by creating a space where like-minded individuals from the regional and international scene can convene, interact, network and explore opportunities to collaborate- allowing local filmmakers access to tell stories authentically.
Away from her love for wildlife and filming, Fiona is a God and music-loving, self-proclaimed hippie with a penchant for rebellion. This is how she's propelled herself in spaces that she ordinarily wouldn't be invited, to help break the mould and open doors for others!
Ana Luisa Santos, Film and Awards Coordinator
Ana Luisa Santos, a Portuguese wildlife filmmaker with an engineering education, based in The Netherlands, is co-owner of the production company Ateles Films. She specializes in producing, directing and shooting long form blue-chip behavioural wildlife and natural history documentaries across the globe.
Her work is featured on diverse channels like NHK, France Televisions, NatGeo Wild, and Servus TV (Terra Mater).
More recently, Ana Luisa was selected as a cinematographer fellow for the first edition of the Jackson Wild Cinematography Lab, a partnership between Jackson Wild, the American Cinematographer (ASC) and Wildlife Society of Filmmakers. Ana Luisa also contributes actively as a judge in major wildlife film festivals across Europe, the USA, and Africa.
Sheelagh Imani Naisenya, Head of Operations and festival manager
Sheelagh Imani is a dynamic and ambitious professional in the wildlife and tourism sector. With a strong background in animation, communication, and multimedia production, she brings a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the industry. As the Chief Operations Officer and Festival Manager, Sheelagh is excited to utilize her expertise and passion to contribute to the growth and success of the organization. Fluent in English and Swahili, she effectively engages with diverse stakeholders, while her multimedia skills enable her to create captivating content that showcases the wonders of wildlife and promotes tourism to a broader audience.
Sheelagh's educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Multimedia Journalism and a certificate in Destiny Leadership Development and I.T. competence. With a solid foundation in theoretical knowledge and practical skills, she possesses the necessary tools to efficiently oversee operations and ensure the successful execution of projects within the wildlife and tourism sector. Additionally, her experience in organizational budgeting and project management software equips her with the expertise to navigate the industry's challenges and opportunities.
Passionate about nature conservation and sustainability, Sheelagh is committed to promoting responsible practices within the wildlife and tourism sector. She aims to develop inspiring narratives that resonate with audiences and inspire them to connect with the beauty of the natural world. As a creative and adaptable professional, Sheelagh's leadership skills and collaborative approach ensure seamless coordination and execution of projects. She is determined to create memorable experiences for visitors by organizing engaging festivals and events that celebrate the wonders of wildlife and tourism, leaving a lasting impact on both guests and the industry as a whole.
Michael Obanda, Maestro Graphic Designer
Michael Obanda is a talented and innovative creative designer known for his exceptional skills and imaginative approach to design. With a passion for aesthetics and a keen eye for detail, Michael has the ability to transform ideas into visually stunning and captivating designs across various mediums.
His work reflects a unique blend of creativity, technical expertise, and a deep understanding of design principles. Michael possesses a natural ability to conceptualize and develop original concepts, pushing boundaries to create fresh and engaging visual experiences.
Whether it's graphic design or product design, Michael's portfolio showcases his versatility and ability to adapt to different styles and project requirements. His designs are characterized by their clean lines, harmonious color palettes, and meticulous attention to typography, resulting in visually striking and memorable pieces.
Beyond his technical skills, Michael is also a great collaborator, known for his and ability to understand and interpret clients' needs. He approaches each project with a strong commitment to delivering high-quality results that not only meet but exceed expectations.
Overall, Michael Obanda is a creative force who consistently pushes the boundaries of design, creating impactful and visually captivating experiences that leave a lasting impression on viewers.
Maria Hashmi, Social Media Manager
Maria Hashmi, at 22 years old, is a passionate conservationist based in Islamabad, Pakistan. Growing up on a farm, Maria was immersed in a world teeming with wildlife, igniting her deep connection with nature from an early age.
Driven by her unwavering love for the natural world, Maria set her sights on a career in wildlife conservation. Recognising the pivotal role of childhood interactions with nature, she founded a nature camp for kids, aiming to inspire the next generation to care for and protect the environment.
When she's not busy running her camp, Maria devotes her time to working alongside her father on their family-run nature reserve. This small-scale rewildling project has transformed once agricultural land into a thriving native forest, now teeming with a diverse range of indigenous species.
Maria's commitment to conservation extends beyond her own endeavours. She actively collaborates with numerous local and international organisations such as Reserva, Conservation Optimism, and the Pakistan International Wildlife and Eco Film Festival, among others. These partnerships allow her to contribute to broader conservation efforts and amplify her impact.
In the midst of her busy schedule, Maria also manages an inspiring blog on Instagram. Through her blog, she shares her personal journey as a conservationist in Pakistan, shedding light on the unique challenges and triumphs in safeguarding the country's natural heritage.
With a blend of hands-on projects, community engagement, and a dedicated online presence, Maria Hashmi strives to make a lasting difference in the world of conservation. Her unwavering passion, fuelled by her childhood experiences and commitment to preserving the environment, serves as an inspiration to others to join her in the pursuit of a more sustainable and harmonious planet.
SHEILA MUGADI - MUNYIRI, FESTIVAL COORDINATOR
Sheila is the founder and proprietor of Jamboree Event Planners, a leading event organising and management agency par excellence. She is a brilliant innovator in event design. Any event organised and managed by Sheila is guaranteed to be stress-free and impeccably executed.
Sheila is not only a brilliant event manager, she is an accomplished Australian registered nurse specialised in dementia care and mental health, with a passion for the improvement of better health and wellbeing of her community. She is a strong advocate of girl empowerment for underserved communities and is a mentor at her high school alma mater.
Sheila is also a Board Member of Association of Alumni Communities of Kenya; founder of the mentoring program for the Pangani Girls Alumni Association and their current Vice Chairperson.
LIZ LENJO, ADVOCATE OF THE HIGH COURT OF KENYA & FESTIVAL LEGAL ADVISOR
Liz Lenjo is the Founder and Managing Consultant of MYIP Legal Studio. She specializes in Intellectual Property, Entertainment, Media and Fashion Law. She is an Immediate Former Member of the Competent Authority, the tribunal established under Section 48 of the Copyright Act (CAP 130). She is also an adjunct faculty member at the Strathmore University Law School where she teaches Media and the Law.
Liz holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Intellectual Property Law from the University of Turin (Italy) and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) and a Postgraduate Diploma Kenya School of Law. She also holds a Certificate in Fashion Law from Fashion Law Institute - Fordham University Law School (New York). She also has professional certificates in IP Management, Mediation & Arbitration from WIPO Academy and CopyrightX from HarvardX.
Liz is also a published writer and scholar. Her LL.M research paper has been published by the renowned Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review 2018 titled: “Inspiration versus Exploitation: Traditional Cultural Expressions at the Hem of the Fashion Industry.” The paper is available online on Westlaw and Nexis. She has also written and been quoted in several local newspapers including the Sunday Nation, The Star, Up Magazine among others.
Liz is a blogger on www.lizlenjo.com on IP and Entertainment Law matters focusing on non-legal minds to understand basic issues on these areas of law and is a part of Creative Commons Kenya as the Culture & Entertainment Lead. She is also a recipient of the prestigious nomination Business Daily Top 40 under 40 Women 2018 in the legal field.
ROSE ODENGO, FESTIVAL COMMUNICATIONS
Rose is a seasoned communication consultant, and founder of SIGANA, a strategy and communication consultancy firm based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has worked in the world of communication for close to two decades and is on a mission to reshape the narrative of Africa.
She is a published writer and a co-author in a powerful African anthology, Femmolution and runs a Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) nominated creative writing blog. She has tens of articles published in the Guardian, MakeShift magazine, United Press International, Global Press Journal, Boston Review, Msafiri, Daily Nation Newspaper among other international and local publications. Rose believes that copywriting, journalism and fiction writing are her storytelling triage to build the next generation of African stories and brands.
