About Rafi

Rafi Nizam is a multi-award-winning Designer, Animator, Showrunner, TV Director, and Executive Producer of XR apps and games. Rafi originates and develops scripted IP and global transmedia franchises for major studios and indies alike, merging executive leadership with hands-on creative skills to drive growth and transformation.

C-Suite Leader

With 20+ years in Media, Entertainment and Technology, Rafi blends creative vision with business strategy to scale deep-tech and entertainment start-ups from inception to profitability, transform media companies with transmedia production methodologies.

Storyteller

Rafi’s career includes Developing and Directing scripted live action and animated series, art direction for advertising agencies, leading creative at Sony Pictures, developing children's TV at BBC, Global Creative Director at NBCUniversal and subsequently Global VP Creative for Immersive Entertainment at NBCUniversal. In the latter, Rafi led Creative Innovation, Strategy, Narrative Design and Visual Development across traditional and emerging media with a focus on Animation, Spatial, Real-time and Virtual Production.

Arteana’s Art Squad

Rafi is the creator of Arteana’s Art Squad, an animated series for children featuring vibrant characters who solve problems through the power of art. Produced by Falcon & Storm, with this project Rafi demonstrates a sustainable approach to producing high-quality animation by leveraging realtime tools, XR techniques and OpenUSD. Partnering with the US-based charity Curing Kids Cancer and tech company Noitom, Arteana’s Art Squad encompasses a live, animated improv format, to bring joy to isolated and sick children in hospitals.

Innovator

Rafi spearheads accelerator programs such as IBC, THU, Ithra and continues to give keynotes at conferences such as VIEW, FMX, Immersive Enterprise, Cartoon Digital, Manchester Animation Festival, Soho Media Festival, Siggraph and The Media Production & Technology Show. Rafi is regularly spotlighted at GTC events by Nvidia and is very pleased to have the opportunity to mentor young creatives and shepherd projects at Sony Talent League.

Mentor

Valued for his empathetic leadership style and recognised for his ability to inspire and empower, Rafi bridges the gap between creative instincts and strategic execution, making him a sought-after team leader and facilitator for professionals seeking transformative growth and innovation.

Workshops

Rafi believes creative disciplines play a pivotal role in accomplishing business objectives. His workshops span storytelling for business, brand strategy, IP creation, design-thinking, XR and virtual production workflows.

With his guidance teams have undergone remarkable change: company culture benefits from a fresh appreciation for creative disciplines, improvements in operational efficiency, smarter development and production capabilities that unlock new avenues for commercial growth.

Podcast: Beyond the Frames

Rafi is the host of Beyond The Frames, the Media and Entertainment industry insiders podcast where he meets and interviews professionals to discuss the art, production and business of making entertainment, including animation, film, virtual production, spatial and gaming.

Multi-disciplined Creator

Rafi's work for TV and Broadcast picked up numerous awards for Directing, Editing, Fiction and Production Design. His work in XR won Best Innovation, Best Use of Tech, Best Digital Product and Best in Augmented and Virtual Reality. As an independent Animator and Character Designer, his work has been awarded and screened at top international festivals and spotlighted for championing new methods and best practices for sustainable indie productions.