Zeinabu irene Davis is an independent filmmaker and Professor of Communication at the University of California, San Diego. Her work is passionately concerned with the depiction of women of African descent. Her dramatic film entitled Compensation (1999) features two inter-related love stories offering a view of Black Deaf culture. New Yorker Magazine critic Richard Brody has named it as one of the best American independent films of the 20th century. Criterion and Janus Films will re-release the film in Fall 2024. She recently completed a dramatic short about a COVID-19 experience entitled Pandemic Bread, which has played at 8 festivals and earned nominations for Best Director, Best Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Becca Godinez at the San Diego Film Awards 2024. She is working on a documentary, Stars of the Northern Sky, which tells the stories of abolitionists Sojourner Truth, Phyllis Wheatley, and Marie Joseph Angelique.

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Facilitating the conversations are award-winning filmmakers and SDFC co-founders Benito Bautista and Emma Francisco Bautista, and Alicia de Leon Torres, Deputy Director of the Nemeth Foundation and SDFC Board Member. Sound design and edit by SDFC Technical Director, Miko Aguilar. Key art design by SDFC Communications & Social Media Manager, Tiara Liz Deriquito.

Nemeth Narratives is presented by The Nemeth Foundation in partnership with San Diego Filipino Cinema and New Americans Museum

sdfilipinocinema.org

Founder and managing director for BFT, Consultants, Dr. Ontai works with business managers, corporate leadership, and higher education practitioners in providing professional development training to improve people communications skills in management and teaching. Using neuroscience as the basis for improving people communications, strategies and skills are designed around the individual's emotional and cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

He has over 20 years of teaching in post-secondary education at two urban campuses, in addition to serving as interim campus director. He served as undergrad and graduate student advisor, faculty training lead, and doctoral student advisor. He is currently an adjunct professor at California Southern University, where he serves as committee member for doctoral learners completing their dissertations.
He is a peer-reviewer for American Education Research Association, AERA, and has served as a peer-reviewer for the University of New Mexico Mentoring Institution.

Dr. Ontai is also a licensed architect with over 25 years of diversified practice and freelance consulting work. His award-winning firm is recognized for designing school facilities and affordable housing, In addition, his firm has designed office buildings, shopping centers, restaurants, private residences, and public structures.

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Facilitating the conversations are award-winning filmmakers and SDFC co-founders Benito Bautista and Emma Francisco Bautista, and Alicia de Leon Torres, Deputy Director of the Nemeth Foundation and SDFC Board Member. Sound design and edit by SDFC Technical Director, Miko Aguilar. Key art design by SDFC Communications & Social Media Manager, Tiara Liz Deriquito.

Nemeth Narratives is presented by The Nemeth Foundation in partnership with San Diego Filipino Cinema and New Americans Museum

sdfilipinocinema.org

Jelynn Sophia Malone's journey from a dancer with the Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center to a Hollywood figure and entrepreneur highlights her cultural richness and success. With over 19 years in media, she excelled as an actress and TV host for networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, MTV, and E!. As Co-Founder & Chief Brand Officer of Mostra Coffee, Jelynn's strategic vision has earned the company top accolades, including the 2020 Roaster of the Year and the 2022 US Coffee Roasting Championships. Co-founding Mostra with Beverly Magtanong, she aims to support Philippine coffee farmers and eradicate poverty. Jelynn's life blends cultural pride, artistic achievement, and entrepreneurial success. She is married to James Malone and has two daughters, Max and Harlowe, embodying the power of dreams and positive change.

Social media: @jelynnmalone | @mostracoffee

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Facilitating the conversations are award-winning filmmakers and SDFC co-founders Benito Bautista and Emma Francisco Bautista, and Alicia de Leon Torres, Deputy Director of the Nemeth Foundation and SDFC Board Member. Sound design and edit by SDFC Technical Director, Miko Aguilar. Key art design by SDFC Communications & Social Media Manager, Tiara Liz Deriquito.

Nemeth Narratives is presented by The Nemeth Foundation in partnership with San Diego Filipino Cinema and New Americans Museum

sdfilipinocinema.org