AFRIFF Jury Profiles
Tim Mcneal - Jury President
Tim McNeal is the senior vice president of Creative Talent Development & Inclusion for Disney Television Studios at Disney Entertainment, where he leads programs that advance inclusive hiring and professional growth, including the Disney Writing, Directing, and PA programs, as well as the NLMC/NHMC Latino Television Writers Program. A veteran of television development, he helped launch The WB Television Network in 1995, developing iconic series such as Dawson’s Creek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 7th Heaven, and Felicity, and later served as senior vice president of Development at the Tom Lynch Company after earlier roles as a literary agent at InterTalent and ICM. McNeal also serves as president of the HRTS board, sits on the boards of Colour TV and the UCLA Alumni Association, and holds a B.A. in political science from UCLA.
Stephen “Dr” Love
Stephen “Dr” Love is an acclaimed American film and advertising producer known for They Cloned Tyrone, The Land, and P&G’s Emmy-winning The Talk. A creative entrepreneur and cofounder of The Invisible Collective, he bridges entertainment and brand storytelling with cultural impact. Love has served as Jury President and returning juror at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), where he continues to champion authentic African and diasporic narratives on the global stage.
Andrea Voges
Andrea Voges is an Arts Administrator and Business Analyst based in Durban, South Africa. Over the last fifteen years, she has worked at the Durban International Film Festival, Joburg Film Festival and Red Sea International Film Festival to name a few. From 2014 to 2016, she served as a Project Coordinator for the South African-United Kingdom Seasons - an intergovernmental initiative to promote arts and culture between these two nations. In 2020 she was a Project Manager for the Presidential Employment Stimulus Package that sought to support artists during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, she joined the Realness Institute and Urucu Media as Programmes Manager and Sales & Distribution Manager respectively. Andrea holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and is a Southern Africa-Locarno Industry Academy alumnus.
Kayode Jegede
Kayode Jegede is a London-born Nigerian screenwriter and filmmaker whose work bridges cultures and continents. He co-wrote Gangs of Lagos, Amazon Prime’s first African original film, and Lara and the Beat. Through his company, Kayodeville, he continues to develop bold, globally resonant stories and has served as a mentor for AFRIFF’s Creative Africa Nexus Script-to-Screen programme.
Jacqueline Lyanga
Jacqueline Lyanga is the Co-Director of Film Programming at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) and the founder of Global Cinematheque, an organization promoting international cinema and talent in the U.S. through partnerships with institutions like LACMA. Formerly the Artistic Director of Film Independent and Festival Director of AFI FEST (2010–2018), she has also consulted for SXSW Sydney and Amazon Studios, curated immersive XR storytelling exhibitions, and worked with IMDb. Lyanga has served on numerous film festival juries worldwide, including Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, and Locarno, and on grant review panels for the NEA and the Austin Film Society. Recognized by Essence as one of Hollywood’s 75 most powerful Black women and featured in Variety’s Women’s Impact Report, she has been honored as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et Lettres by France and awarded the Order of the Crown by Belgium.
Ahmed Al-Othman is a respected Omani broadcaster, screenwriter, and cultural advocate with the Oman Film Society, where he plays an active role in supporting the growth of Oman’s emerging film and television industry. With years of experience in broadcasting and storytelling, Al-Othman has contributed to developing local creative talent and promoting authentic Omani narratives across media. As part of the Oman Film Society’s General Assembly, he collaborates on initiatives that strengthen international partnerships, foster script development, and expand opportunities for filmmakers across the Gulf region. His work bridges media and culture, reflecting a commitment to elevating voices from the Arab world on the global stage.
Ahmed Al-Othman
Ranada Shepard
Ranada Shepard is a television writer and producer from Chicago’s South Side, currently serving as Showrunner and Executive Producer of the upcoming animated reboot of Good Times for Netflix. She created and executive produced TV One’s Born Again Virgin and has held Co-Executive Producer roles on Lizzie McGuire and Diary of a Future President (Disney+), NBC’s Connecting, and Scripps’ Act Your Age. Shepard also served as Showrunner and Executive Producer of HBO Max’s Young Love, based on the Oscar-winning short Hair Love. A first-generation Afro-Latina and the daughter of Cuban refugees, she mentors young creatives and serves on the board of Black School, supporting Black students in predominantly white institutions. She has also volunteered with Valley Trauma Center to assist foster and adopted youth. Shepard lives in the San Fernando Valley with her husband of 18 years, television writer-producer Devon Shepard.
Uche Jombo
Uche Jombo is a celebrated Nigerian actress, screenwriter, producer, and director who began her film career in 1999 with Visa to Hell. As a writer, she has penned or co-written hit films such as Games Men Play, The Celebrity, A Time to Love, and Lies Men Tell. Through her company, Uche Jombo Studios, she has produced notable projects like Nollywood Hustlers, Holding Hope, and Damage, which addresses domestic violence. Since 2015, she has also directed acclaimed titles including Lost in Us and Heaven on My Mind. Beyond filmmaking, Jombo serves as a Globacom ambassador and leads her NGO, Uche Jombo and You, dedicated to empowering Nigerian youth.
Carl Rumbaugh
Carl Rumbaugh is an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Tony-nominated producer with an extensive career spanning film, television, and theatre. He began his career as a talent agent in Beverly Hills before moving into management and production. His credits include the acclaimed Broadway revival of A Raisin in the Sun and independent films such as Runt, The Way Out, and Walter. He is the CEO of 23 Management Group and continues to champion innovative storytelling across stage and screen.