Neo Moretlwe: Marketing and Communications Professional

Founder & Director, Brain Engine & The Secret Film Society

Sustainability Director, WIFT South Africa & Afro Descendants Arts and Culture

Neo Moretlwe is a South African marketing and communications strategist, speaker, and industry advocate with more than a decade of experience across film, television, media, and the creative economy. As the Founder and Director of Brain Engine, she works at the intersection of storytelling, audience development, distribution strategy, and industry growth, helping creatives, businesses, and institutions translate great ideas into meaningful cultural and commercial impact.

Widely recognised for bridging the gap between content creation and audience connection, Neo has built a reputation as a leading voice on film marketing, distribution, audience engagement, and the business of storytelling. Her work focuses on ensuring that African stories are not only created, but strategically positioned to reach audiences, attract investment, and compete in global markets.

Throughout her career, Neo has worked across the full screen industry value chain, spanning development, financing, production, marketing, distribution, and audience development. She has led South African campaigns for major studio releases including Dune, Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Batman, and The Matrix Resurrections, while also supporting the growth and visibility of South African productions across theatrical, streaming, and digital platforms, including Hunting Jessica Brok, The Queenstown Kings, The Drop, and numerous other local titles.

Her previous leadership roles at Known Associates Group, Empire Entertainment, Yellowbone Entertainment, and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) have provided her with a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing African storytellers in an increasingly global content economy.

Through Brain Engine, Neo advises filmmakers, producers, organisations, and entrepreneurs on strategic communications, marketing, audience growth, and industry positioning. She is also the creator of the Brain Engine Strategic Film Marketing Course, a free programme designed to equip emerging filmmakers with practical tools to navigate the business of film. Her commitment to industry transformation extends to mentorship, having contributed to the development of emerging talent, including ten women directors through the HerStory Female Filmmaker Slate.

Neo serves as Vice President of Women in Film and Television South Africa, where she champions the organisation's focus on Access and Opportunity, working to create pathways for greater inclusion, representation, and sustainable career development across the screen industries. She is also the founder of The Secret Film Society, an audience development initiative that uses curated cinema experiences to build film culture and strengthen connections between creators and audiences.

A sought-after moderator, speaker, and thought leader, Neo regularly contributes to conversations on the future of African cinema, audience-first storytelling, film marketing and distribution, creative entrepreneurship, women in leadership, and building sustainable creative ecosystems. Her work is guided by a simple belief: African stories deserve global recognition, local ownership, and the strategic support required to thrive in an increasingly competitive world.