DEAN FOSTER
FESTIVAL DIRECTOR
Dean foster is a screenwriter specialising in film, television and short form online content. Born in London of Antiguan parents, Dean has been able to use his heritage in an ever evolving way to interpret his experience in film.
Dean holds an upper second class honours degree in creative writing and media with cultural studies attained at Kingston University in 2008. Dean’s degree and has allowed him to work in both television and film for production companies such as Endemol and vertigo films. However, his peers would say it’s his confidence and infectious personality that has enabled him to be such a great team player.
Dean has always harboured ambitions of being a writer; this is evidenced through his education at various levels, where his creativity has led to him to use his skills as a radio DJ and a ‘free style’ rapper.
Currently, Dean is workings to produce original screenplay content and bringing it to the big screen. Dean also boasts actor’s credentials starring in the short screen original drama - Oppressed Wives’ Society.
Dean continues to use his influence and experience by mentoring young men who are in the throws of turning their life around trough the medium of film.
BOB FOSTER
LEAD CONSULTANT
Bob Foster was born in Antigua and came to England in 1963 to join his family.
With an extensive background in project management and business consultancy, Bob has clocked up over 40 years’ of experience working across the commercial and non for profit sector. Bob has provided support and advise for hundreds of businesses and has been recognised by his peers as an exceptional advisor always willing to go the extra mile to support entrepreneurs achieve their full potential.
Bob’s early carer began in commercial banking were he rose to the level of bank manager for National Westminster Bank in London. It was early in his career he decided to use his business acumen to develop an independent business consultancy and open up a several day care nurseries, where received several accolades for his innovative approach toward day care delivery.
Through share determination, Bob went on to carve out a career in delivering business consultancy to start up businesses and medium sized companies to grow through an organisation called Business Link for London and later Get Equipped. Bob is also proud to have worked on many high profile procurement projects, which in turn have awarded over £5million in contracts for small businesses.
Bob Foster’s, proudest achievement was establishing the Windrush Nurses & Beyond Foundation a charity set up to recognise and celebrate the achievements of nurses that traveled from the Caribbean and African (post war to the 1960s) to dedicate their lives to working in the health sector.
The nurses chosen by the foundation were awarded commendations for their efforts and also awarded Queen Medal Awards from HRH Queen Elizabeth for their services.
Bob continues to use his skills to develop social enterprises across the country and is proud to part of a National Lottery Programme called Elthorne Pride, which was awarded £1 million to develop projects and initiatives to change the lives of individuals living in north London, so that they can make their area a better place to live, work and play.
SANDI PHILLIPS
MEDIA & COMMUNITY RELATIONS LEAD
Sandi Philips has over 30 years of community development experience, with a specialism in championing the creative arts. Her passion has been to inspire the next generation of young entrepreneurs by developing innovative programs aimed at helping them reach their potential and in doing so has supported over 800 businesses.
Having studied communications and social science, Sandi delved into the arena of social documentaries, which eventually lead her into world of social regeneration. Sandi’s biggest achievement was leading on one of London’s leading regeneration program in London, Kings Cross, which enabled hundreds of local residents to access new jobs, start their own business and access multi-million pound contracts from the areas new developments.
Whilst working for the Windrush Nurses & Beyond Foundation, Sandi utilised her communications skills to ensure this unique programme gained recognition from high profile politicians and HRH Queen Elizabeth II, who awarded their recipients with the Queen Medal Award during her 2012 Jubilee. Additional credits include Sky News, BBC, ITV news and numbers radio broadcasts.
More recently, Sandi has been chair for several not -for-profit organisations, and currently sits as the lead for Elthorne Pride, a fantastic example of local collaborations aimed at supporting residents making changes to improve the lives of those that live in their neighbourhood.
VALERIE SEBASTIAN
LOGISTICS CO-ORDINATOR (ANTIGUA)
Originally from London, Valerie made a life changing decision to immigrate with her family to Antigua back in 1988.
Since then she has established a career as a senior executive within the health and insurance sector.
After qualifying with a distinction qualification for the Health Insurance Association of America (HIAA), Valerie went on to establish the Institute of Antigua & Barbuda, which is now in its 16th year. Over time, Valerie became treasurer and president of this formidable organisation, which has the responsibility for organising the training and education of many ambitions professionals.
Valerie’s ability to network and organise sector base training has enabled her to travel extensively across the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States to provide several key conference highlighting the changes within the insurance and finance sector.
It was on her travels; Valerie became aware she could use her commercial and planning skills to support local philanthropic causes. In 2015 she became a lifelong supporter of the Friends of St. Johns, Antigua’s only public hospital. As part of a successful collaboration, Valerie has organised several events and fundraising initiatives, which collectively have risen over EC$100,000.
Valerie remains passionate about supporting the creative arts in Antigua & Barbuda and spends much of her spare time organising bespoke island excursions to oversea visitors, so that they leave with a lasting and positive experience of Antigua & Barbuda.