Multidisciplinary Creative Zed Benson Collaborates with CultureCon’s Creative Collective in New York
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- October 21, 2026
As summer drew to a close, New York City played host to one of the most anticipated gatherings in the global Black creative community: CultureCon. Founded by Imani Ellis, the annual conference brought together an extraordinary mix of artists, entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and cultural tastemakers for a celebration of Black creativity, innovation, and expression.
Supported by an impressive lineup of brand partners, including Chase Ink, Cricket Wireless, Lincoln, HBO Max, Audible, and Pinterest, CultureCon found distinct ways to support creatives, entrepreneurs, and culture shifters. Through these partnerships, the event reinforced its commitment to creating opportunities for the people shaping contemporary culture and driving innovation across industries.
Among the creatives contributing to this year’s experience was Ghanaian filmmaker and multidisciplinary creative Zed Benson, who collaborated with an exceptional collective of artists, designers, and visual storytellers to deliver an immersive content experience at the conference.
Working alongside New York-based creative Karston Tannis, photographer Sam Mironko, and a talented team of individuals, Zed contributed to an ambitious production that celebrated the intersection of culture, artistry, and visual storytelling.
Where Art, Culture, and Visual Storytelling Meet
One of the standout installations was a striking portrait and content studio that quickly became a captivating destination for attendees.
Stepping into the space felt almost like entering a contemporary art museum. Designed by New York-based Abiké Studio, the set brought together thoughtful aesthetics, charm, and elegance, creating an environment where every creative who stepped in front of the camera became part of a larger artistic expression.
The studio’s visual identity was complemented by the collective talent behind the production. From set design and photography to cinematography and video production, each creative brought a distinct perspective to the experience, contributing to a cohesive visual environment that celebrated individuality and artistic excellence.
Zed’s creative touch was evident throughout the video content produced within the studio. Drawing on his experience in cinematography and visual storytelling, he helped translate the atmosphere, personalities, and energy of CultureCon into compelling visual narratives.
The result was more than a conventional content studio. It was an intersection of art, culture, and individuality, capturing the spirit of a community that continues to redefine contemporary Black creativity.
A Collective of Creative Minds
At the heart of CultureCon is the belief that creativity thrives when talented people come together. The collaboration between Zed, Karston Tannis, Sam Mironko, and the wider creative team demonstrated the value of bringing different artistic disciplines into one shared space.
Each contributor helped shape an experience that extended beyond the conference’s stages and conversations. The portrait studio offered attendees an opportunity to engage with art, express their identities, and become part of a visual archive celebrating the people driving Black culture forward.
For Zed, working alongside exceptional creative minds is familiar territory.
With a career spanning multiple continents and creative industries, he has built an international portfolio through directing, cinematography, photography, and creative direction. His professional journey has brought him into creative environments involving prominent entertainment figures, including Michael B. Jordan, John Legend, and Daniel Kaluuya.
His multidisciplinary approach allows him to move between creative disciplines while maintaining a distinct visual identity rooted in culture, emotion, and storytelling. Whether collaborating with established industry professionals or emerging artists, Zed continues to explore how powerful images and authentic stories can connect people across cultures.
Breaking Boundaries: A New Chapter for Ghanaian Creativity
Beyond the production itself, Zed’s collaboration at CultureCon represents something much bigger:
the growing opportunities for Ghanaian creatives to break geographical boundaries and contribute to the global creative conversation.
For a creative professional working out of Ghana, participating in international productions and collaborating with talented individuals across borders is a powerful reminder that creativity has no geographical limitations. Talent can emerge anywhere, and with the right collaborations, vision, and determination, it can find its place on some of the world’s most influential creative platforms.
Opportunities like CultureCon are particularly significant for Ghana’s growing creative industry. They create spaces for Ghanaian talent to exchange ideas, build meaningful professional relationships, learn from international peers, and demonstrate the value of African perspectives within the global entertainment and media landscape.
For Zed, whose creative journey has taken him across continents, this cross-cultural exchange is a natural extension of his work. His experiences in China, Ghana, and the United States reflect a career built around connecting people, cultures, and ideas through visual storytelling.
More importantly, these collaborations challenge the notion that African creatives must remain within their local markets to build successful careers. They demonstrate that a creative working from Accra can contribute to projects in New York, collaborate with international teams, and participate in conversations shaping the future of global visual culture.
The significance goes beyond being in the room. It is about contributing to the work, building relationships, and creating opportunities for more African creatives to follow.
As Ghana continues to develop its film, photography, fashion, and digital content industries, cross-border collaborations can play an important role in expanding access to international markets while creating new possibilities for creative exchange. Every meaningful partnership becomes an opportunity to showcase Ghanaian talent, challenge perceptions, and establish stronger connections between Africa and the wider world.
From Shanghai to Accra to New York
Zed’s creative journey has never been confined to one city or industry. From his experiences within China’s film industry to establishing his creative footprint in Accra and collaborating on international productions, his work continues to bridge cultures and creative communities across the globe.
His involvement at CultureCon represents another chapter in a career shaped by curiosity, cultural exchange, and an enduring passion for visual storytelling. It also highlights the growing presence of African creative talent in international spaces, where collaboration continues to create opportunities for fresh perspectives and artistic partnerships.
For Ghanaian creatives looking beyond their immediate surroundings, stories like Zed’s offer an important perspective: the world is not simply a place to showcase one’s work, but also a place to collaborate, build relationships, and contribute to something greater than oneself.
From New York’s vibrant creative community to the expanding film and media industries across Africa and Asia, Zed’s work reflects a commitment to connecting people through visual expression.
And with every new city, project, and creative encounter comes another opportunity to push boundaries, represent Ghanaian creativity, and contribute to a global conversation through the language he knows best: visual storytelling.
