What started as a wild idea to create a home for the industry at The Loeries, has become something truly special. This year, over 26 production companies and 6 leading brands have joined IDIDTHAT to build a space where the industry can come together.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by two of our industry's royalty, Danni Pinch, ECD at Accenture Song and independent Director, Thina Zibi. Congrats to the top dogs this month, Bruno Bossi from Carbon Films and Zee Ntuli from Darling Films, drinks on you at the Loeries!
There is fresh blood at ROMANCE. Nthato Mokgata has stepped into commercial filmmaking, joining ROMANCE’s diverse lineup of directing talent. But, calling Nthato a director barely scratches the surface. From pioneering Pan African electronic music as Spoek Mathambo, to winning an Annie Award with his Disney short ‘Surf Sangoma’, and releasing his debut novel ‘Ghost in the Drum’, his work has always defied borders. Now he’s applying that distinctive voice to the world of advertising, opening new possibilities for South African creatives.
Sanaa Films’ director Christian Mangachena doesn’t play it safe. His work is raw, slice-of-life, and a little too close for comfort, which is exactly why it’s so damn exciting. He’s also an exciting commercial option, with an instinct for stories that feel lived-in rather than styled.
With their latest KFC Thailand commercial, ‘MISS NG PIECE’, they show how the collaboration between Bananas, KFC Thailand, and Carbon Films’ director Bruno Bossi is fast becoming a streak of standout work. The team turns the simple launch of six collectable Baby Saunders figurines into a funny and cinematic story about the very human frustration of being just one short of a complete set.
The main focus isn’t just the TV ad anymore. It’s every screen. Instagram, YouTube, digital billboards, stories, reels, square, widescreen, vertical. That’s where Capitol Collective thrives. They understand the new reality of advertising: campaigns don’t stop at the 30-second spot. The team is used to building entire ecosystems of content, from digital and social to billboards, stills, BTS and case studies, often shooting everything in parallel.
Ranked the #1 Creative Director in Africa and the Middle East at The One Show 2024, Alex Goldberg is Creative Partner at Ogilvy Cape Town, overseeing Volkswagen, Audi, and Coronation. In this Q&A, he shares how ideas really happen inside the agency, what it takes to move a brand forward, and why trusting your gut (while pushing the craft) matters most.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by two powerhouses who would walk through fire and still come out the other side with a cold beer in their hands, Thandeka Gilbert, Creative Director at McCann Joburg and Cindy Lee, (OSCAR-nominated) Director at The Star Film Company. Congratulations to Hayden Brown from 7 Films, Chloe Coetsee from Darling Films, and editor Warwick Allan from Mushroom Media. May the power of the craft be forever in your favour.
Massīf has officially signed cinematographer-turned-director Kabeer Shaik. Known across the industry for his strong visual language and collaborative chops behind the lens, Kabeer is now stepping into the director’s chair, and if his latest NSRI spot is anything to go by, he’s making quite the entrance.
In this interview, Roanna Williams shares the sparks and struggles behind starting her own shop, the culture she’s intent on building, and why the industry can’t afford to play it safe.
The Stormers’ new commercial, ‘Breathe’, takes South African sports advertising on a very different route. Created by agency Bananas and Sunny Futures alongside director Anton Visser of Patriot, the ad plays as a rallying anthem from Cape Town to its team, with the city itself cast as the beating heart behind them. It positions Cape Town’s people as co-players, showing that when the Stormers run out, they carry the breath, energy, and spirit of the city with them.
In this Q&A, Assaf Levy, one of South Africa’s top creative leaders, opens up about what makes a director “right” for a board and why the best scripts sometimes belong to specific voices. With over two decades in the game, a client list spanning Nike to Nedbank, lots of Chicken Licken inbetween and a trophy cabinet that includes wins at Cannes Lions, D&AD, One Show, and The Loeries (where he ranked as the 11th top ECD last year), Assaf has helped define Joe Public’s reputation for big human ideas.
Now in its 4th edition, AVIJOZI continues its legacy as Africa’s premier free-access festival at the intersection of Film Production, AI, Animation, VFX, Interactive Tech, Gaming, Comics, and Content Development. Where creativity and technology meet. The 2025 theme, ‘Heart of Steel’, signals boldness in the face of change, speaking directly to creators navigating industry disruption and rapid technological transformation.
Steph van Niekerk, one of the most awarded creatives to come out of South Africa, takes us behind the scenes on how she and her team tackle one of the most crucial parts of the production process: selecting directors. From how she vets wishlists, what she looks for in a treatment, to the red flags that raise eyebrows, this is a must-read for any director who wants to get in the room and stay there.
Incommon is the perfect home for Retang to direct the kind of work he’s become known for; quirky, story-driven, and beautifully framed. His style sits somewhere between cool and curious, with a voice that blends fashion sensibilities, cultural fluency, and a gently funny take on the world.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by two industry powerhouses who know a thing or two about craft, Mbeu 'Snooze' Kambuwa, Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa and Grant De Sousa, Director at They. A huge round of applause to Bruno Bossi from Carbon Films and Marco Raposo de Barbosa for being recognised with Best in Craft. And of course, shoutout to the whole team that brought the KFC magic to life!
From Woman King to Mission: Impossible, South Africa has played host to big-budget international productions, lured by stunning landscapes, diverse locations, and competitive production costs. Now, Cape Town-based Robot Air has joined forces with the Pinewood-headquartered Clear Angle Studios, global leader in 3D capture services to bring world-class scanning technology and expertise to the region.
When KFC Thailand’s ‘Let There Be Cake’ picked up a Cannes Gold Lion for Film, it was a massive win for South Africa and proof of what’s possible when everyone is aligned in service of the craft. From marketer to agency to production, every decision pushed the idea further and raised the bar on execution. At the centre of it is Suhayl Limbada, a South African marketer with an instinct for strong ideas and a respect for the people who bring them to life.
A world-class specialist in food, liquids, and beauty brings her international experience to South Africa by joining the Carbon Films team. Kristy Snell is known for her bright, highly technical work in Tabletop directing. She brings years of international experience and a body of big brand work that turns everyday products, from burgers to beauty serums, into moments of pure joy.
The Refinery has landed in Joburg with a new fully kitted Bryanston studio offering top-tier colour, VFX, online and final mix under one roof. Connected to their Cape Town HQ, The Refinery Joburg is ready to deliver high-end finishing across commercials, branded content, long-form and music videos. Leading colour is Johannesburg-born Liam Traynor, bringing home experience from London, Europe and LA.