
Butterfly Films Reboots – leaner, smarter, more powerful
‘Butterfly Films started out in the post-TVC world, so making a plan with challenging budgets has been part of our DNA right from the start.’ Those are the words with which Felix Seuffert, Co-Founder and Executive Producer of the Cape Town-based production company describes the roots of his company. Butterfly Films still runs on that mindset – fortified with 15 years of hands-on advertising film production experience in all parts of the world, for clients from around the globe and with the widest range of briefs imaginable.
As a director/DOP Felix has a unique granular insight into all aspects of production and knows where money spent translates into production value, and what’s just fluff. That along with a lean company structure makes Butterfly Films adaptable to briefs and budgets of all sizes. ‘Cape Town’s film industry is highly professional and experienced in every aspect. But not every job needs the maximalist approach. These days there is a wide spectrum of solutions for the same challenge and knowing how far an FX6 can go before you need an Alexa35 is the difference between making a budget work or not’, says Felix. The same goes for post production: ‘We can handle a lot of post cost-effectively in-house, but also have strong bonds with The Farmhouse, a like-minded post house that can add the premium treatment when needed.’

Felix Seuffert, Co-Founder and Executive Producer

Makeeda Swan, Felix’s Business Partner and Executive Producer
After focussing on service production for international clients for a few years, Butterfly Films is now back on the local scene. ‘Call it Butterfly Films 2.0’, says Makeeda Swan, Felix’s new business partner, who drives the South African division of the business. And what applies to production also goes for the creative approach. ‘Instead of working with a fixed roster of in-house directors, we’ve started building a network of independent directors that we can call upon as the briefs see fit.’ Everyone involved benefits from this – agencies and clients get access to mad creative talent, paired with a streamlined, custom-made production-pipeline; directors enjoy a greater flexibility and a fair split of the cake; and Butterfly Films can offer a rounded creative package that can fit any job there might be. ‘The classic production house model with fixed structures and big overheads seems outdated in the face of shrinking budgets and increasing lists of deliverables. Our setup can scale up where others can’t scale down.’ As we see more and more directors choosing the independent route, the peeps at Butterfly Films seem to be onto something.
On the creative side, there are three directors that Butterfly Films works with in this context: Of course Felix, a versatile Director/DOP with a distinct flair for cinematic storytelling and a smidgen of documentary. There’s Kofi Zwana, who has made a name for himself with his signature quirky work in the food and, more recently, the automotive sector: ‘For me this is a fabulous opportunity to explore new avenues while staying faithful to existing clients and relationships.’ It’s an addition to, not a replacement of Hungry Films, his Joburg production home. Then, new on the scene is Royd Ringdahl, who has a finger tightly on the pulse of youth culture and an insatiable hunger to create. ‘Plus, we have several other established and up & coming directors on speed dial’, says Makeeda. And they all have a few things in common – a hell of a lot of talent, a healthy work ethic and a collaborative, respectful can-do attitude. ‘Our declared goal is for everyone on set – clients and crew – to go home at the end of the shoot day knowing that their contribution was valued. In the last 15 years, we’ve always delivered on that, and we’ll do so for the next 15 years and beyond’, says Felix.
Wanna (s)talk some more? Check out Butterfly Films’ Company Website.

Contact Butterfly Films
Executive Producer: Makeeda Swan
makeeda@butterflyfilms.com
+27 81 355 4351
Co-founder, Executive Producer & Director: Felix Seuffert
felix@butterflyfilms.com
+ 27 76 251 9678
Produced by the IDIDTHAT Content Studio – Credits: Anne Hirsch (Writer) / Julie Maunder
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