International development expert, broadcasting journalist, and cultural policy specialist from Namibia, Patrick Sam joins the jury of IGCAT’s Food Film Menu 2026.
Patrick Sam is born in the capital of Namibia, Windhoek. He is the former Chairperson of the National Art Council of Namibia (NACN) and former Chair of the African Chapter of IFACCA. He has launched Creative Culture Investments (CCI), and as the founding Managing Partner, he is enhancing the collective imagination on public and private investment in the Cultural & Creative Sector. His new initiative, ‘Magic in May’ focuses on the intersection of food, art & gastronomy. As an advocate for interventions preserving, protecting and promoting cultural diversity as a global public good, Patrick brings valuable insights on the importance of art and activism in changing our food systems for the better.
Patrick has extensive experience in human development specialising in the impact of cultural policy on human dignity. He founded the Arts Summit of Southern Africa (ASSA) with the NACN; addressing the significance of investment in the CCS at national, regional and international levels. He’s been a broadcasting journalist with over 20 years’ experience, a poet, comedian and actor. Recently, he won ‘Best Production Designer’ at the Namibian Theatre and Film Awards and was nominated for ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Production in Theatre. He also serves as the Vice-Chairperson the Namibia Craft Centre, a civil society organisation responsible for the development of craft in Namibia.
