Elaine Buckholtz is a Light Installation Artist and Professor of Interrelated Media Art at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, Massachusetts. Her recent work utilizes video and light in relation to sculptural forms, digital prints, and preexisting sites in architecture and nature under the cover of darkness. A significant aspect of her visual work has involved direct experiences and immersive environments for the viewer to engage in – the materials of her work have included light, vision, and perception in relation to objects as large as cathedrals and as small as a pair of glasses. Buckholtz received 2 consecutive MFA’s from California College of the Arts and Stanford University from 2002 to 2006 with the support of The Jacob K. Javits Fellowship. Her work was recently exhibited at The Minnesota Street Project and Gallery 308 in San Francisco CA., The International House of Japan in Tokyo, Japan, and The Lumiere Festival in London, England. She received a Fulbright Specialist Fellowship in 2018 and the Japan Friendship Commission Fellowship for 2017. Her work is held in the collections of numerous private collectors on the East and West coasts of the US and abroad.

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Interactive Media & Games at University of Southern California. Mike Fischer is an experienced executive in interactive entertainment, having held senior positions at Amazon, Microsoft, and top video game companies, including CEO of Square Enix America. He has led the publishing strategy for some of the biggest franchises in video games, including Fortnite, Final Fantasy, Tomb Raider, Halo, Gears of War and Sonic the Hedgehog. Mike is also an angel investor and advisor to a number of firms across interactive entertainment, including eSports, AR/VR, digital communities, AI and network technology. He has also represented the industry as a board member of the Entertainment Software Association and President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.

Daniyar Amanaliev is a co-founder and CEO of the “ololo” group of companies in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Until 2016, Daniyar used to be a head of the largest tourist company in Kyrgyzstan for 12 years. In addition to tourism competence, Daniyar has a consulting experience in the field of strategic planning, finance and business model building. The “ololo” group of companies includes an art studio, the “ololohaus” coworking network in Bishkek and Osh, a real property management company, an event company, and a business incubator.

Zhanna Issabayeva is a director, screenwriter and producer from Kazakhstan. In 1991 she graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University with a degree in Journalism. Her movies are Nagima, Karoy, Sveta, Bopem, Talgat, Losing Innocence in Alma-Ata, My Dear Children. She was nominated for an International Critics' Week Award.

He is a DJ and multi-genre musical producer with many releases on international labels. Currently he is involved in Salem Social Media project as Creative Producer.

Musician and DJ known as 'Broxxz' and 'Oscillah'. He participated in many workshops such as ‘Playing Together’ (Kyrgyzstan 2014), Reimagining New Man (Tajikistan, 2010), 2010 Triangle Arts: Britto Art Trust (Bangladesh); curated Unsound Dislocation; and Bishkek 2016 festival. He has participated in art exhibitions and festivals in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia and participated in 52 Venetian Biennale in 2007.

Jonathan Scales is one of the most innovative steel pannists on the planet, and is redefining and challenging traditional expectations of his signature instrument. In his hands, the sonic palette of an instrument often associated with cruise ships and tropical resorts is radically expanded to mimic the role of horns, piano, vibraphone or marimba due to his stunning, virtuosic technique. Scales’ mesmerizing compositions have captivated listeners and elevated him to the status of a true composer, forging new territory in the medium of instrumental music. Although Scales’ writing produces songs that are ultimately accessible and danceable, the compositions can be remarkably complex and difficult to perform. As a result, the power trio whimsically named Jonathan Scales Fourchestra has always had a fluid lineup top-notch musicians, and even included an “all-star” version with bassist MonoNeon (Prince, Ghost Note), drummer Robert “Sput” Searight (Snarky Puppy, Snoop Dogg) and percussionist Weedie Braimah (Trombone Shorty, Nth Power), as well as a number of other talented marquee value players.

Farkhat Sharipov is Kazakh director, screenwriter, producer, and actor. He was passioned by music in childhood and also was playing in rock band Utopia. Farkhat graduated from Kazakh National Academy of Arts as director and sound engineer. After that, he was mastering screenwriting and photography directing in New York Film Academy. His debut is a directing and screenwriting for Tale of a Pink Hare. In 2018 director issued dramatic movie The Secret of A Leader that was awarded for the Best film at Moscow International Film Festival.

Darkhan Dzhunusbekov, better known under the creative nickname Darkhan Juzz, was born in Almaty in 1990. He began his journey into the world of music at an early age, having familiarized himself with the activities of Bob Marley and Viktor Tsoy. A simple interest in their magical music very soon turned into a desire to compose and perform his own music - from the age of 14 he has been writing author's songs. In his music Darkhan does not limit himself to certain genres and he is able to endow with a unique author's style both indie-rock compositions and hip-hop tracks. He writes texts mainly in the Kazakh language. In spring of 2019, together with the music label ÕZEÑ, Darkhan released a collection of the best songs published from 2014 to 2018 - "TBRN". Also, at the end of this year a full-fledged studio album is expected to be released.

Bagytzhan Beksultan acting under the nickname Jeltoksan was born in Atyrau on April 20, 1996. Since his childhood, he began to get involved in music. At the age of 13 he tried himself in beat-making, and from the same age he had growing interest in writing poetry. The range of his musical interests is varied from electronics and hip-hop to folk music, and the musician writes texts mainly in the Kazakh language. He began to release songs since 2014. In June 2018, Beksultan released the instrumental album “BUTTERFLY”. This year he plans to release a full-fledged album as an author-performer. Since December 2018 he has been subscribed to the label “Blood with milk”.

Musician, actor. 23 years old. T. Zhurgenov School graduate. He completed degree in theater and cinema at the Moscow Institute of Theatrical Art. after P. Ershov. Actor of an independent theater Lab 316 in "Transforma" art space. Member of the JańǵyryQ musical project on the Kazakhstan national television channel.

Laureate of the "Padida" national award for literature of the Writers Union of Tajikistan for innovation in literature, as well as the Central Asian "Golden Chair" award. The official speaker of the 80th jubilee session of the World Congress of Writers of PEN club from Central Asia with a report on the situation of female writers in the Central Asian region. Author of the "Devanagrad" prose and poetry book. The winner of the Olympiad in philosophy held among the post-Soviet republics, organized by the Higher School of Economics. She studied directing and scripting under such great masters of the film as Irakli Kvirikadze and Fred Kelemen. The author of the short film "Atonement" ("Iskupleniye"), which premiered at the 28th "Kinotavr" Open Russian Film Festival.