Speaker
Frederick Leonard
Actor · Filmmaker · Creative entrepreneur
Talk · 1:00 PMArt can make money and still change the world: the magic of intentional storytelling
Savvy Minaz Nigeria presents
Mindfull Art Conference
Let your artistry shine for sustainable impact.
00
Days
00
Hours
00
Mins
00
Secs
ConvenerBest Okoduwa
Scene 01Int. — The Belief
Art is more than entertainment.
And sometimes, a simple creative idea can become the beginning of a major change in someone’s life.
A film can change the way someone sees the world.
A song can give someone hope.
A photograph can preserve a memory.
A performance can challenge an idea.
Scene 02Ext. — The Concern
Talent is not
always enough.
We have many young people with incredible creative talent. Yet many of them do not know how to turn that talent into a sustainable career.
More importantly, their art can do more than make them popular or earn them money. Their creativity can create opportunities, empower others, influence communities, and contribute to positive change.
They need —
Mentorship
They need —
Industry knowledge
They need —
Connections
They need —
The business of creativity
REC Scene 03 · Int. — The Mind · 00:00:00:00
Before the camera rolls…
before the paint touches the canvas…
before the actor steps on stage…
before the story reaches the audience…
there is a mind imagining it.
So, perhaps, we pay attention to that mind.
Tap the light to begin
InterludeA guided mindful moment
Creativity begins in the mind.
Every MINDFULL ART participant will be led through a guided mindfulness experience. Take a small preview now: tap the light and follow it through three slow breaths. In for four, hold, out for four.
Breaths taken · 0 / 3
KeynoteKeynote speaker
Prof. Cornelius Best Onyekaba
Associate Professor of Film and Theatre Arts, Faculty of Creative Arts, University of Lagos.
- PositionSub-Dean, Faculty of Creative Arts
- DisciplineFilm and Theatre Arts
- InstitutionUniversity of Lagos (UNILAG)
Scene 04The Cast
The line-up.
Speakers
Two of Nollywood’s most familiar faces, on the business of a creative life.
Featured speaker
Mary Lazarus
Actor · Producer · Creative entrepreneur
Talk · 1:50 PMFrom creative skill to strategic positioning for opportunities
Convener & host
The people who open the doors and hold the room.
Convener
Best Okoduwa
Filmmaker · Director of BECKMA
“Let your artistry shine for sustainable impact.”
Host
Duke Elvis
“Your art is most valuable when you are intentional.”
The panel
Personal stories, told plainly.
The realities of building a career in film in Nollywood
Moderator
Miriam Peters
Shytalkactive
Panelist
Susan Jimah
Panelist
Chy Nwakanma
Panelist
Bryan Okoye
Scene 05The Conversations
Not just about art.
About the people behind it.
MINDFULL ART“THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE ART”PG. 04
INT. J.F. ADE AJAYI AUDITORIUM, UNILAG — 11:00 AM
Students from three major universities, emerging actors, filmmakers and artists sit beside seasoned industry professionals. The lights soften. Someone asks the first question.
The Room
(leaning in)
The Room
(quietly)
Cut to: answers.
Scene 06The Programme
Seven reels.
One day.
REEL 01▶
Keynote & Talks
A keynote from Prof. Cornelius Best Onyekaba, the convener’s lecture, and talks from Frederick Leonard and Mary Lazarus.
REEL 02▶
The Nollywood Panel
The realities of building a career in film, in personal stories. Moderated by Miriam Peters.
REEL 03▶
Practical Conversations
The business side of creativity: tools and know-how you can use the next morning.
REEL 04▶
Screening: BECKMA
The award-winning film by convener Best Okoduwa, screened in two halves, then a cast presentation.
REEL 05▶
Open Audition
Genio Films is casting an Afro-fantasy thriller. Registration opens at 10:00 AM; first come, first served.
REEL 06▶
Networking
Students and emerging talent meeting the people already doing the work.
REEL 07▶
Guided Mindfulness
A moment to pay attention to the mind where every creative work begins.
Call sheetRunning order
The day, minute by minute.
-
to 11:02 AM
WelcomeOn nowWelcome address and introduction of the host
Isioma Mayann
-
to 11:04 AM
HostOn nowHost’s address
Duke Elvis
-
to 11:12 AM
KeynoteOn nowKeynote address
Prof. Cornelius Best Onyekaba · Sub-Dean, Faculty of Creative Arts, UNILAG
-
to 11:35 AM
LectureOn nowConvener’s lecture
Best Okoduwa · Convener
-
to 11:50 AM
TalkOn nowStorytelling for sustainable social change: introducing BECKMA
Representative from ARDA
-
to 1:00 PM
ScreeningOn nowBECKMA, first half
A film by Best Okoduwa
-
to 1:40 PM
SpeakerOn nowArt can make money and still change the world: the magic of intentional storytelling
Frederick Leonard
-
to 2:20 PM
SpeakerOn nowFrom creative skill to strategic positioning for opportunities
Mary Lazarus
-
to 2:50 PM
PanelOn nowThe realities of building a career in film in Nollywood
Moderated by Miriam Peters · with Bryan Okoye, Chy Nwakanma and Susan Jimah
-
to 2:55 PM
SponsorOn nowRemarks from Golden Penny Foods
Sponsor remarks · 5 minutes
-
to 3:00 PM
SponsorOn nowRemarks from PayZilla
Sponsor remarks · 5 minutes
-
to 4:00 PM
ScreeningOn nowBECKMA, final half
A film by Best Okoduwa
-
to 4:30 PM
NetworkingOn nowCast presentation, questions and answers, and networking
The BECKMA cast and the day’s speakers
-
Close of day
CloseOn nowClosing
10:00 AMRegistration opens
Genio Films open audition, running alongside the conference
Audition registration opens at 10:00 AM, an hour before the conference starts. Auditions run through the day on a first come, first served basis, so arrive early.
Times are West Africa Time (Lagos). The running order may shift slightly on the day.
Scene 07Also on the bill
A screening and a casting call.
Now showing
Special screening of BECKMA
A film by Best Okoduwa
Official selection · AFRIFF 2022A multiple award-winning film, screened as part of the MINDFULL ART Conference. Justice is here.
Now casting
Open audition
Genio Films Ltd · Stories. Emotions. Impact.
Genio Films presents her debut title for cinema: an Afro-fantasy thriller with a large cast. Registration opens at 10:00 AM and auditions run alongside the conference on a first come, first served basis. Find the Genio Films stand on the day.
- 15–20Boys
- 21–60Male
- 18–50Female
Intermission
Proud sponsor · MINDFULL ART 2026
SponsorA word from Golden Penny Foods
Serving happiness, nourishing families.
Thank you to Golden Penny Foods, the home of good food, for backing Nigeria’s young creatives and helping make the MINDFULL ART Conference possible.
Proud sponsor · MINDFULL ART 2026
27
October
— Tuesday · 11:00 AM —
Scene 08A Different Kind of Birthday
A celebration that leaves something behind.
- Eat
- Drink
- Dance
- Go home
On 27 October 2026, convener Best Okoduwa marks another birthday and has chosen to celebrate differently. MINDFULL ART is that birthday’s gift to the creative community: a day of learning, connection, reflection, inspiration and possibility.
J.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium
Beside the Senate Building, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos
CastWho’s in the room
03
Major Lagos universities
Students from the three major universities in Lagos State.
✦
Emerging actors & filmmakers
The next generation of Nigerian screen talent.
✦
Artists & young creatives
Photographers, writers, designers, content creators.
✦
Seasoned professionals
Filmmakers and creative-industry leaders sharing what they know.
Emerging talentIndustry experience
Scene 09The Hope
That everyone who walks into that room leaves seeing their creativity differently.
Not just as a talent.
Not just as a hobby.
Not just as a means of making money.
But as a powerful tool for —
Personal growth. Economic empowerment. Sustainable impact.
Art
Become better at what you do. Sharpen the craft, and the mind behind the craft.
People
The people behind the art: students, emerging talent and seasoned professionals in one room.
Purpose
Stay profitable without losing your purpose. Your art is most valuable when you are intentional.
Progress
Turn talent into a sustainable career, and what you create into impact for someone else.
CreditsMade possible by
Sponsors & partners.
Press kitPosters
Spread the word.
Open any poster to view it full size and download it for sharing on WhatsApp, Instagram or your status.
( tap the slate )
Let your artistry shine.
Come and become a more intentional, profitable and socially responsible creative professional. Seats are limited, so register below.
Call sheetRegistration
Take your seat.
Seats in the auditorium are limited. Put your name on the call sheet and we’ll be in touch with programme details before the day.
- DateTuesday, 27 October 2026
- Time11:00 AM
- VenueJ.F. Ade Ajayi Auditorium, beside the Senate Building, UNILAG
- ForStudents, emerging actors, filmmakers, artists and young creatives
Mindfull Art · Call sheetScene 27 · Take 10 · Roll 2026
You’re on the call sheet
Thank you, friend. We’ll be in touch before 27 October with everything you need.
Production officeContact
Get in touch.
Questions about the day, or interested in partnering with or sponsoring MINDFULL ART? Send us a message here, or chat with us directly on WhatsApp.
Chat on WhatsAppMindfull Art · EnquiriesLagos · 2026
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