Drainpipe CEO Delivers Keynote at Moroccan Higher Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Professions (ISMAC)

On April 4, 2025, Drainpipe CEO, Dominick Romano, delivered a keynote address to the students of the Moroccan Higher Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Professions (ISMAC). The topic of the keynote was overcoming obstacles in life and teaching students how to use hard times as a superpower.

Afterward, Dominick welcomed a surprise guest, Justin Maynard (Visual Effects Artist, The Wolf of Wall Street) who spoke about the importance of providing your own perspective to film making stating “Every type of genre has been done before, what has not been done before is your unique perspective.”

At the conclusion of the session, Dominick and Justin went on to answer questions about AI use in Filmmaking and the impact AI has on cultures which lack representation in western models. Dominick stated “In order to avoid your culture being white-washed by a technology company with more money and access to larger audiences, its important to think about how your culture should be represented and preserved in AI, because if you do not take the initiative, someone else will do it for you.”

Dominick Romano and Justin Maynard (Photo by Hakim Belabbes, Director, ISMAC)

The Higher Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Professions (ISMAC) is based in Rabat, Morocco. ISMAC obeys the universal ethical principles: freedom of teaching, freedom of creation and search for personal truths. It is the only public higher institute of learning in Morocco, specializing in visual arts and artistic creation. The institution places a strong emphasis on apprenticeship through field projects (workshops, workshops and master classes). ISMAC trains directors, screenwriters, film and television actors, directors of photography, animators, editors, producers and production directors.

For more information: https://ismac.ma/