This program is part of the Film & Talent Industry Day. Explore the full program here.
Actor Mandela Wee Wee shares a powerful perspective on the true value of actors in the development of a film. In this inspiring talk, he explores the actor not just as a performer, but as a co-creator: someone who can shape character, story, and emotional depth long before casting even begins. Drawing from his own experience in front of the camera and his recent steps into directing, Mandela reveals what actors can contribute in the earliest stages of development, and how directors can learn from their creative process. With honest insights and practical examples, he highlights how collaboration with actors can strengthen storytelling, deepen authenticity, and transform a film from the inside out.
Bio Mandela Wee Wee
Mandela Wae Wae (Paramaribo, 1983) is an internationally oriented actor, filmmaker, and cultural entrepreneur and consultant who redefines the boundaries of traditional acting. With a dual academic background in International Business (Avans) and Acting (Toneelacademie Maastricht), he has developed a unique signature that combines physical presence with intellectual depth.
He gained widespread recognition for his role as Romano Tevreden in the groundbreaking series Mocro Maffia, and has performed internationally in productions by Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA), NTGent, and the Ruhrtriennale. His recent directing studies at the New York Film Academy mark a new phase in his career, where he explores filmmaking as a creator and co-creator in dialogue with the technological aspects of cinema.
As the founder of Speakers Touch, Mandela trains professionals in presence, connection, and impact. At PIFF 2026, he brings these worlds together, sharing his vision on how the human performer remains at the core of even the most technologically complex productions, from VFX-heavy blockbusters to intimate independent films.