PANEL: The New Wave of Entertainment – Creators Reshaping Media

*FREE EVENT*
As entertainment consumption shifts from only traditional TV and film, content creators are building massive audiences through social platforms. This panel brings five local creators with millions of combined followers together to discuss the art and business of digital storytelling. They’ll reveal what it takes to stand out, the realities of making a living in this space, and where the future of entertainment is headed.

PANELISTS: Kierra Lanice, Cristina Capron Horford, GxAce, Ashley Medina & Shanell Henry

Panel is followed by a mix and mingle happy hour until the CCFF Opening Night Feature: OBEX.

In collaboration with LEAP

Limited space available – please RSVP to reserve your spot (CCFF passholders included!)

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Kierra Lanice: Kierra Lanice is a Celebrity Makeup Artist, Beauty Expert, and Content Creator with over a decade of experience in the beauty and entertainment industries. Her work and expertise have been featured in Vogue, Glamour, and The New York Times, and she has worked with high-profile clients such as Maria Shriver, Angel Reese, Scottie Pippen, and Raven-Symoné. Beyond makeup artistry, Kierra has built a strong presence as a content creator, blending beauty, travel, and lifestyle. Through her popular series, Diaries of a Celebrity MUA, she takes her audience behind the scenes of red carpet events, photoshoots, and travel adventures, offering beauty tips and industry insights. As a former Director of Influencer Relations, she understands the evolving creator economy and how digital media is reshaping entertainment. She also serves as a board member at-large for the Capital City Film Festival, where she advocates for creatives and elevates conversations around media and creative entrepreneurship.

GxAce: Casey Cavanaugh, known online as GxAce, is a filmmaker, photographer, cinematographer, colorist, editor, and VFX artist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Having collaborated with some of the world’s largest brands, including Fujifilm, Hasselblad, Leica, and Sony, Casey has contributed to eight feature films and countless commercials. Casey has since transitioned to YouTube for the creative freedom it provides, seeking to raise the bar for quality on the platform. With a thriving YouTube presence boasting 255,000 subscribers and over 13 million views, Casey leverages extensive expertise in production, post-production, art direction and photography to deliver one of the highest production value channels available today.

Through GxAce, Casey has carved out a unique niche within the photography community, producing videos characterized by insightful storytelling, cinematic aesthetics, and a compelling futuristic style. The channel consistently challenges conventional perspectives, exploring how constraints can drive creativity and how traditional technology remains relevant amidst rapid innovation.

Beyond YouTube, Casey has cultivated a thriving creative business, offering popular digital products that enable creators to achieve cinematic aesthetics in their own work. With a dedicated community spanning hundreds of patrons and thousands of loyal viewers, Casey’s continued commitment to authenticity, innovation, and deep audience engagement positions GxAce as a distinctive and influential voice in photography and filmmaking.

Shanell Henry: Shanell is a wife, mom, grandma, and your go-to content creator for all things family, marriage, wellness, and lifestyle. She’s all about keeping it real, spreading joy, and inspiring others to live with purpose! After retiring from General Motors as an Industrial Hygienist & Ergonomist, she traded corporate life for her true passion—helping people thrive! She wear many hats and balance them all with love and purpose: Author of the children’s book Be the Bright Spot, Director of Community Love & Engagement at One Love Global, Wellness Coach with Fit & Fun, Host of Empower Hour, a virtual fellowship. Whether through storytelling, wellness, or community-building, She believes in living life intentionally, authentically, and out loud—always striving to make a meaningful impact and spread joy!

Ashley Medina: Ashley Medina is an award-winning hairstylist, educator, and content creator with over 20 years of experience specializing in natural texture, shags, mullets, and gender-affirming styles. With a global reach of over 800,000 followers, her work has been featured on NPR, news stations, and even featured on the cover of top publications like Detroit News and Lansing State Journal.

Beyond the chair, Ashley is passionate about education, ensuring every client leaves with the knowledge and tools to maintain their look. Through her engaging online presence, she shares insights into hair care, industry trends, and the artistry behind cutting and styling. As a speaker and creative entrepreneur, she continues to push the boundaries of beauty, representation, and digital influence in the modern landscape.

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