Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival Presents “Voices United, Healing the Global Heart” for United Nations Day 2025

The program, scheduled for Friday, October 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM CT / 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 PM PT / 4:00 PM London-Lagos time, will stream live on Zoom and bring together an international panel of artists, educators, activists, and cultural advocates.

The theme — “Lift Every Voice: Do We Truly Have One?” — aims to foster dialogue around representation, heritage, and accountability across global creative industries, while spotlighting how unheard voices impact mental health, self-esteem, and social progress.

Opening Remarks and Global Voices

The event will open with remarks by Queen Mother Chief Freda Sideroff of Belize, founder of GIIFF and a globally respected cultural preservationist whose leadership continues to connect Indigenous and African-descendant communities through film, art, and education.

This year’s Voices United gathering brings together a distinguished group of panelists representing diverse disciplines and continents, including:

• Samuel Lee Fudge (USA) – Actor, writer, director, and producer known for Mosiah Film.
• Oladapo Agboola (Africa) – Founder of Oladapo Authentic African Art Int’l, visual and creative artist.
• Harmony Nanton (UK) – Model, actress, poet, and cultural advocate.
• Clifton Kinnie (USA) – Ferguson protester, civil rights activist, and educator.
• Christopher Roberts (UK) – Corporate solicitor, arts advocate, and steelpan music tutor.
• Saladin Allah (USA) – Educator, author, and award-winning producer.
• Tavo Man (Honduras) – Grammy-nominated Garifuna music artist, producer, and painter.
• Anetra Henry (USA) – Strategist, storyteller, and Carter Family representative.
• Dr. Kyle A. Thomas (USA) – Theatre and performance historian, director, and educator.
• Adé Olaiya, DMS M.A. (UK) – Co-lead emeritus of the UN’s ICSWG for People of African Descent.

A United Vision for Cultural Representation

The discussion will highlight representation, heritage, and accountability across film, music, journalism, digital media, publishing, and fashion. Panelists will explore how media can serve as a vehicle for healing and empowerment, advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the Second International Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034).

The event will also honor UNESCO’s recognition of the Garifuna language, dance, and music as a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity — underscoring the festival’s ongoing mission to protect and promote Indigenous and Afro-descendant culture through storytelling and creative expression.

About the Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival

Founded by Queen Mother Chief Freda Sideroff, the Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival (GIIFF) has become one of the most respected cultural platforms in the world for Indigenous and African diaspora voices. The annual festival showcases independent films, documentaries, and art that educate, inspire, and amplify underrepresented communities.

Through partnerships with international organizations, artists, and scholars, GIIFF continues to lead conversations that merge cultural preservation with contemporary social issues — bridging continents and generations through art and dialogue.

How to Attend

The Voices United: Healing the Global Heart virtual event will take place on Zoom:

🗓️ Date: Friday, October 24, 2025

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM CT / 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 PM PT / 4:00 PM London-Lagos

🔗 Meeting ID: 861 6824 8752

🔒 Passcode: 718376

For more information or press inquiries, contact pr@mannequinsmotion.com or follow @officialgarifunafilmfestival on social media.

About GIIFF

The Garifuna International Indigenous Film Festival continues to honor the resilience and creative brilliance of the Garifuna people and Indigenous communities around the world. Through film, dialogue, and cultural exchange, the festival champions unity, self-expression, and the healing of the global heart.