Director Rob Smith and Flattery Films take motion control to the skies in PHFAT’s latest music video, Faces in the Light ft. Nazieg. Using two drones, one as a GPS-locked aerial camera and the other as a spotlight, they pulled off a one-shot video with the kind of precision that has to be seen to be believed.
Run Jump Fly’s latest spot for Investec had the internet convinced it was AI-generated. But the truth is, every detail was handcrafted by their in-house team of directors, animators, designers, editors, and music composers. This boutique production company has become a specialist in Mixed-Reality OOH, yet they seem to be run-jump-flying under the radar.
ART MAYBE is a South African production company bringing high-energy storytelling and visuals to the scene. Founded in 2023 by director Masedi Ranyane and DP/Editor Kea Ditaunyane, they started in music videos, attracting U.S. artists before catching the attention of brands like Adidas, Converse, and Reebok. Now fully focused on commercials, here's what you should know.
Known to some as “Mister Music Man” or “King of the Jingle,” few people geek out over sound and sonic branding quite like Adam Howard. With Gold Loeries, multiple Clios, and 15 years as one of the top-ranked composers in the country, it’s no surprise he was asked by agency Joe Public to flex his audio branding expertise, this time for Cell C’s full sonic rebrand.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by Verona Meyer, ECD at M&C Saatchi Abel and Mzonke Maloney, Director at Carbon Films. Congrats Directors, Thina Zibi and Thea Small, as well as DOP Josh Levi for your Best in Craft wins this month!
What happens when the world starts turning into cake? A South African team has the industry buzzing about the latest KFC Thailand commercial, not just for its originality but for its impeccable craft. Directed by Bruno Bossi from Carbon Films and conceptualised by the newly launched local agency Bananas. We sat down with Bruno to go behind the scenes.
Founders Amy Allais and Olivia Leitch launched Ola! Films 18 years ago, shaping it into one of South Africa’s top production companies. With a growing roster of talent and a new international service department, Amy reflects on their journey, her career as a director, and how she still wishes they called it Leotard Films.
Butterfly Films was born in the post-TVC world, where navigating challenging budgets became part of their DNA, says Co-Founder and Executive Producer Felix Seuffert. With 15 years of global advertising production experience, they continue to thrive on this resourceful mindset.
[Editor’s note: Since publication, Cindy Lee’s short film The Last Ranger has advanced from the Oscar shortlist to an official nomination!] There is a handful of directors that our industry turns to when they have a really meaty narrative script, and Star Films’ Cindy Lee is undoubtedly among them. Her short film The Last Ranger is a heartbreaking masterpiece. It is compelling, gut-wrenching, and beautifully crafted, earning its well-deserved spot on the 2025 Oscar shortlist.
Nosipho Maketo-van den Bragt, CEO and co-founder of Chocolate Tribe, shares 10 reflections from her journey leading a creative studio for the past decade. From embracing change to celebrating wins, her insights are a must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs and industry leaders alike.
“We set out to send South Africa’s beloved Gusheshe into space,” says Steve Tyler, founder of DreamDrive.co.za. After months of planning and one high-stakes, 2-hour-50-minute flight, Steve and 7 Films overcame freezing temperatures and strict weight limits to pull off this ambitious mission. Here's how.
When it comes to comedy in advertising, few directors in South Africa understand the craft like Together Films’ Bevan Cullinan. His latest Christmas commercial for Spar, created with TBWA Durban, is packed with British humour, hilarious local insights, and viral appeal, the 3-minute spot is a comedic gem. Go Bevan!
For the second year running, Checkers, agency 99c, and production company 7 Films have crafted a Christmas campaign that doesn’t just pull at your heartstrings, it tugs with both hands. Following the success of their previous Christmas campaign, this year’s takes to the skies with a Checkers Sixty60 branded aeroplane delivering the gift of togetherness.
Carbon Films has announced the signing of rising director Koketso Matabane to their roster. With a sharp eye for clever, idea-driven work and a knack for storytelling shaped by five years in the Joburg creative and film scene, Koketso is already making her mark. She recently directed a campaign for MTN which among her other work caught the eye of Carbon Films, which she now calls home.
In under a year, Fam Films, led by founders Aadil Dhalech and Mpho Twala, has delivered nine major campaigns, working nonstop between Jozi, Cape Town, and Nairobi, with a talented team that includes Jess Schipper, Hallie Haller, Gcobisa Yako, and newly-signed director Fhathuwani Mukheli.
Bioscope Films officially welcomes director Jessie Zinn, fresh off her IDIDTHAT Best of Craft win for Sonnenglas. Her first job with Bioscope. The spot was shot exclusively at dusk and dawn over an eight-day journey across South Africa and Eswatini, capturing the beauty of light for the solar brand.
Senior editor and Syndicate founder Nic Goodwin’s latest work for Black Crown, in collaboration with Egg Films’ director Lebogang Rasethaba, highlights Nic’s talent for elevating storytelling through sharp, nuanced (and really cool) editing. This was a dream brief he took full advantage of.
Known for his comedy and performance chops and keen eye for the visual, director Peri is spreading his wings with Superkind. The latest Cape Town-based full-service production company is rooted in an affinity for collaboration and a vision to bring a fresh approach to every project.
Tessa Ford Post is synonymous with high-end post-production in South Africa. Beyond big-budget campaigns, they’re a creative-first, approachable team, taking on projects of all sizes.
Egg Films has signed Canadian-based director Marc Sidelsky, bringing his cinematic style and subversive humor to South Africa. Known for his deadpan, bone-dry wit, Marc now has a creative home for his bold storytelling at Egg Films, where he’ll be available for local agency work.