Film and Commercial Directors in South Africa

 Adriaan Louw | Robot

AK | Spitfire

Over the past 18 years AK has worked in 28 countries, directed over 280 commercials and won over 40 international awards, he has featured at D&AD in New York, One Show, Promax in London, Los Angeles and Africa and the Cannes Advertising Awards.

With more diversity than a gallery in Paris, Akin is better known too. And well! There’s that Standard Bank Artist of the Year Award, a Best Director at the South African Film Television Award, and invitations to show at both Cannes and Toronto’s film festivals to prove it.

Alan Irvin | they

Alex Fynn | Pretty Neat

Alex Motlhabane | Robot

Alexa Wilson | Darling Films

DIRECTOR, AI GURU, IDEA COLLECTOR, VISUALISER, EXPLORER
Alexa has an insatiable curiosity for the world, she takes pride in alchemising ideas and concepts into opportunities to tell stories that champion humanity, beauty, and truth. An early adopter of AI, she is naturally drawn to both the technical and the emotional. Whether playful or evocative, her work is always memorable, stemming from a distinctive vision and a profound love of storytelling.

Allison Swank Owen | Giant Films

Allison’s style of filmmaking is rooted in a heartfelt curiosity about the world both past and present, with an emphasis on fringe and emerging cultures. She’s at home amongst artists and musicians and has had the honour of telling their stories in America and across the African continent.

Amr Singh | FORT

A deeply thoughtful and considered director, Amr’s work is characterised by striking imagery, and authentic performances, with an acute appreciation for narrative structure.  Amr’s energy and passion for the task at hand has built a reputation of being a great collaborator with the ability to find the right approach to every brief.

Anna Telford | Butterfly Films

Trained as a musician, Anna approaches life – and work – with an innate sense for harmony and bold moves. For her craft she has traveled the world, played with explosives, driven humvies in the desert and chased down state secrets. Having learned the ropes at Academy Films in London, Anna has worked alongside filmmaking greats like Jonathan Glazer and Nick Broomfield.

Anthony Bila | Indie Village

An internationally exhibited, published and award-winning hybrid Creative Director-Photographer-Fine-Artist-Film-Director with 10+ years advertising and marketing experience; Anthony Bila aka The Expressionist sees creativity as the opportunity to solve problems, and collaborate using his set of skills to share underrepresented narratives from the global South.

Amy Allais | Ola! Films

Amy’s vast experience, from epic choreographed dance spots, to comedy performance and an inadvertent focus on kids and babies, has taken her across the world and has contributed immensely to the diverse scope of work created by Ola to date. She is sought-after globally.

Andrew Kirkby | Iconic Agency

Andrew Kirkby is a self-professed multipotentialite. He has directed award-winning commercials for both local and international brands, as well as documentaries for Red Bull TV. Andrew has a strong background in editing and narrative-driven storytelling. He is the creative director and co-founder of Iconic Agency.

Anton Visser | Patriot

Anton’s impeccable timing and top-notch performance chops have made him a sought-after comedy director and his eye for cast and knack for situational humour mean the worlds of his commercials are always fantastic places to visit.

Arthur Neumeier | Eyeforce

Since 2008 Arthur has been shooting and directing action sports films, documentaries and commercials, working with brands like Red Bull, Corona, KLM, O’Neill, Vodafone, Samsung and Parle. As a director, Arthur captures interesting stories from inspiring people around the globe. As a DOP, he loves and thrives shooting in the water or from the air.

Ayanda | Robot

Though coy about her hidden talent in classical piano. Ayanda’s film work embodies themes such as identity, sexuality, politics and interpersonal relationships, within slice of life narratives that celebrate the magic in the mundane.

Batandwa Alperstein | The Rudeboy Collective

Batandwa lives up to his name by doing everything he does with love. Batandwa is driven by a storytelling ethos that looks for the essence of emotion to guide the story and connection with the audience. Batandwa aims to be an honest leader and contributor in collaborative filmmaking adventures and looks forward to each brief with curiosity, courage and a heart full of love.

Bevan Cullinan | Together Films

Benitha Vlok | Video Cartel

Benny Mfisa | Mogul Pictures

Bob van de Gronde | Eyeforce

Bongani Morgan | Made Films

Brennan Lewis | Spitfire

Brent Harris | Egg Films

Bruno Bossi | Carbon Films

Cassandra Nunan | Ola! Films

Ceara McEvoy | Video Cartel

Chloe Coetsee | Darling Films

DIRECTOR, A NATURAL COMEDIENNE AND LIFE OF THE PARTY.
Chloe is a director at Darling. She enjoys lip sync competitions and very short walks on the beach. She doesn’t have much more to say about herself in the third person.

Chris Saunders | Ola! Films

Based in Paris but works locally in SA a lot. Zeitgeist cool, fashion edgy, connected, influential and sought-after.

Christopher Lee | And.

If you are making a car commercial. Look no further.

Cindy Lee | The Star Film Company

Cindy loves to direct. Hailing from a genetic pool that gives her the advantage in both dealings with client and people in front of the camera, she also has a knack for copywriting and an exceptional skill set for directing humour, small children and untrained animals. 

Colwyn Thomas | Scholars Film

Damien Hope | Eyeforce

Damien has been working all over the world next to director Paul Geusebroek filming high end commercials. Damien has a sharp eye for emotive storytelling and beautiful cinematography, and the talent to let even small stories shine big.

Dan Mace | JOE

Dan Mace is a Filmmaker, Director, YouTuber with over 834k subscribers, CCO of the Beast Philanthropy YouTube Channel and Founder of JOE – a creative film agency based in Cape Town. He has won many accolades throughout his 12-year career, including three Young Director Awards at Cannes Lions, an African Cristal Film Grand Prix, multiple Bronze Loeries Awards, Ciclope Africa Editing Craft Awards, the Creative Circle ad-of-the-month, and many more.

Dani Hynes | Love Films

Dani Hynes has a diverse reel that stretches across a global roster of high-end brands. Characterized by stand-out singular moments, an unrivalled knack for casting, obsessive attention to detail and breath-taking cinematography, Dani Hynes’ spots create layers of emotions that reach deep into the hearts and eyes of audiences.

Darren Kerr | 10th Street

Darren’s approach to storytelling is simple, elicit emotion in the work. His producing skill set allows him to create concepts that tell the correct story, whilst giving clients maximum value.

David Prior | they

David lives in Cape Town, brews rum, beer and photographs things beautifully. He is one of the most awarded photographers in South Africa, and is recognized globally. He has spent years studying a bottle of ice cold beer, and food and beverages, and has become an authority in the art of capturing life’s small pleasures.

Dean Blumberg | Massif

Dean is one of South Africa’s most awarded directors, known for his sensitivity and delicate handling of subject matter. He is a born storyteller, it is his work with actors that sets him apart and has made him a highly sought after director for many top international brands.

Delta The Leo | CreateSA.tv

Delta is a multi-talented powerhouse, born in rural Limpopo, inspired and groomed by the streets of Alexandra Township. Much like her personal style, she is not afraid to push the envelope in her creative work as a director, rapper and choreographer.

Dillon Buirski | we are_

With 14 years’ experience in the fashion photo and film industry, Dillon is based in Cape Town, and London. His considered style, creativity and attention to detail make him a favourite among fashion retail houses. He’s directed work for the likes of Primark, Tommy Hilfiger, Jack Wills, George ASDA, F&F, Superbalist and Boden.

Director Kit | Darling Films

CLOSET RAPPER, BINGE WATCHER AND WRITER
Captivated by beauty and motivated by narrative choice since she was 17, Kit is a director who gets right to the heart of her stories with a deadly combination of whimsical pictures and critical thinking. She’s our unicorn. And she’s real. Real good.

Dirk van Niekerk | Video Cartel

Dirk has a full-blown passion for filmmaking with a strong portfolio of work. With a series of beautifully crafted and hard-hitting content pieces he has won numerous industry awards locally and internationally.

DOLPH

Appearing left to right (Jesse Coetsee & Daniel McCauley) are a directing duo that founded the commercial production company Dolph Graphic Video®️. They’ve got a new approach to traditional commercials, one that includes exciting & new facets of the craft, from high production value shoots through to design & animation.

Ed van Blerk | Spitfire

Ed van Blerk’s greatest talent is his love for a challenge mixed with a calmness under pressure. He has worked on the 2010 World Cup bid and animation for TVCs. Ed learned everything he knows about revenge from the Count of Monte Christo.

Erik Johann Van Wyk | Lovers & Fighters

Erik’s projects include collaborations with Wieden+Kennedy, BBH and The Martin Agency, and commissions for Ikea, Heineken and Honda. He is a multi-award-winning director of commercials and branded entertainment and a prolific maker of experimental and short films. He started life at the original Hunt Lascaris.

Emilie Badenhorst | Romance Films

Defined by a sensual visual style, Emilie’s direction skilfully uses performance and character to focus on the subject of shared human connection. She is a strong voice in a new generation of conscious filmmakers whose work empowers through intimacy and empathy.

Emma Wilson | Pretty Neat

Emma is taking her 16 years of food styling experience to the directing chair. Being curious by nature has led Emma into a multifaceted career path to food styling. Emma’s food & nutrition background provides an essential foundation for clients’ specific needs. She has been involved in cookbooks, local and international TV commercials as well as advertising and editorial work. Emma also travels on a regular basis for international projects, with some works being completed in Tanzania, Dubai, Beirut and Zanzibar as well as in and around South Africa.

Ernest Nkosi | Mogul Pictures

‘You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.’ – Maya Angelou

Fausto Becatti | Bioscope Films

Passionate about film, music, travel and photography – Fausto puts everything into his work. His style and energy has given his recent work a distinct look. With his finger on the pulse of youth culture and edgy visuals, Fausto recently picked up 4 merits at The One Show Awards for his ground-breaking work on Indiefin.

Felix Seuffert | Butterfly Films

Felix is a versatile Director/DOP with a focus on commercials with a narrative aspect and cinematic visuals. He’s at home on big sets, but also comfortable with a micro-crew without ever lowering his sights on production value.

Filipe Zapelini | Eyeforce

As a multi-disciplinary director and global nomad, Filipe connects intimately with characters and captures deep meaning in a contemporary visual language that pairs emotion with sobriety in a powerful way. His cinematic signature of documentary-style storytelling has earned him numerous Vimeo Staff Picks.

Gale Maimane | Darling Films

DESIGNER AND FILM PHOTOGRAPHER
Gale’s offbeat and raw approach to directing and stills comes through in her candid and in-the-moment approach to documenting unforgettable moments that hold an incredible depth; either pushing you to stare longer or laugh harder.

Gilli Apter | Hello Circus

Gilli’s great passion and forte lie in all things funny, but her strength is in making you feel something. She has a no-nonsense approach and loves collaborating with a creative team. Her philosophy is to let the idea lead and to use every tool and bit of craft to serve that vision or story.

Glen Biderman-Pam | Panther Punch

Glen established himself as an actor before delving into the world of stand-up comedy and directing commercials. His recent work includes a short film Love Locked which was awarded a Best in Craft in the IDDIDTHAT Craft Awards. Glen also wrote, directed and acted in the viral sensation branded content piece My Kreepy Teacher.

Gordon Lindsay | Massif

Gordon made the 2016 Young Director Award (YDA) shortlist at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. He enjoys experimenting and developing interesting techniques using camera and post-production. He has been featured five times on the Adforum Best Director’s List.

Gorgeous Bushman | Gentlemen Films

A natural storyteller, versed in multiple mediums, from filmmaking, to creative direction, to podcasting, and image-making. He is on the hunt to explore the points of view of others and deliver empathetic narratives that remind us not just of what makes us unique, but of the things that bind us together.

Grant De Sousa | they

Grant proves his mettle as a performance director, being able to extract impressive interpretations from his cast. His keen creative eye and immaculate attention to detail make him a favorite choice as a director both locally and abroad.

Greg Gray | Romance Films

No one has mastered the delicate balancing act between building a brand and sharing a powerful narrative quite like Greg. His understanding of how to speak to people through performance has created not only some of the world’s most awarded ads, but some of its most loved and shared.

Greg Lomas | Scholars Film

Greg began his career in art direction and graphic design but his true love was documentary photography and filmmaking. Following several photographic exhibitions and features in publications, it was a leap into documentary filmmaking with his old friend Colwyn Thomas, they produced their SAFTA-winning independent feature documentary ‘To Skin a Cat’, that launched Scholars and their film careers.

Greg Rom | Gentlemen Films

A talented storyteller, Greg’s forte lies in creating bold, unpredictable narratives across various genres. His short films have travelled to illustrious festivals across the world, while back home his award-winning commercial work spans from comedy to strong, dramatic visual executions.

Gregg Bailey | Robot

Gregg loves many things but most importantly he loves ideas. Gregg Bailey only hates one thing. He truly hates writing about myself in the third person

Hallie Haller | The Rudeboy Collective

Hallie is a creative who cares about media, the future and you. Hallie is interested in cultural production that creates opportunity, fosters community and examines how we may live more meaningful lives. For love and money, she is a writer, director and creative strategist.

Helen & Kim | The Rudeboy Collective

Bound by their love of rich visuals, clear narratives and a shared modus operandi, Kim Hinrichs and Helen J. Raine teamed up to form two-headed director ‘Helen & Kim’. Strong storytellers and intuitive performance directors, visually, the pair has a stylistic approach, working to carefully balance narrative and aesthetic.

Herman Du Toit | Iconic Agency

The fusion of Herman’s strategic and conceptual thinking gives him an advantage as a commercial and branded content director. His background in marketing has lead him to constantly question his work and how it contributes to the brand and it’s objectives, without compromising on creativity.

Hloni Ntsooa | Spitfire Films

Hloni has a scrupulous eye for style and a love of all things musical. She creates powerful pieces of work that are as fresh and exciting as she is. Throwing herself into her work with passion and fanaticism Hloni’s love of filmmaking is infectious. A powerful young voice to look out for.

Hylton Tannenbaum | Bioscope Films

Hylton started directing at 10 years old, using his Dad’s Super 8mm film camera. Since then he has shot over 250 commercials, working with almost every South African agency and some international ones too. He has picked up numerous Loeries, Cannes and Clio awards along the way.

Ian Chuter | Platypus

Ian has worked on pretty much every food and drink category imaginable, from Burger King and Coca Cola to KFC and Cruz Vodka. He has shot in over 20 countries around the world and has been involved in numerous projects that have won awards, from Cannes Gold, D&AD and One Show to Loerie Grand Prix.

Ian Gabriel | Giant Films

Ian Difford | Hungry Films

Ian Morgan | TinToy Films

Ian, aka Bean, is known for his quirky and unique worlds,  which he injects into his films & TVC. His most recent film was selected as the best SA short for SundanceTV and was screened at the Sundance Film Festival: London 2018.

Imraan Christian | Egg Films

Imraan has blazed a trail through the worlds of advertising, art and activism. He fits in no box we can think of, yet his finger is always exactly on the pulse. Grassroots cultural relevance meets deep cinematic excellence.

Jabu Nadia Newman | Romance Films

Jabu is a female director and photographer who captures uniquely diverse and honest narratives, predominantly centred around South African youth culture. She encourages her subjects to tell their own stories in their own way and champions equal representation both in front of and behind the camera.

James Reynolds | Made Films

James “Of All Trades” Reynolds has spent time in just about every department. Coming from Theatre and Performance via Street and Portrait photography to research, writing and assisting he has Made award-winning short films, music videos and fashion films that explore the elemental, the visceral and the irreverent.

Jeana Theron | Darling Films

Jono Hall | Gentlemen Films

Director Jono Hall is a visual stylist with a versatile approach to considered and engaging storytelling. His strong narrative skills have established him as a seasoned director who has achieved notable creative success. Jono’s first television series has recently been optioned for development by an international studio.

JT | Spitfire

JT is a multi-talented creative Film Director, Sound Designer and Music Producer. He has the ability to communicate through his craft and has worked with clients from all over the world such as, APPLE-MAC, I-D Magazine, CHANEL (No5), NESCAFE and DICKIES to name a few.

Juniper | Hungry Films

Art and science. Vision and humour. She’ll solve your problems and keep you in stitches. She enjoys performance, action, cars and telling people what to do.

Justice Mukheli | Romance Films

Defining himself as a man who sees great power in sensitivity, Justice Mukheli approaches projects with both dignity and heart. This multi-talented creative has worked as agency art director, stills photographer, artist, and film maker. No matter the medium, Justice tells unique stories through soulful visuals that showcase the richness of his background and heritage. He remains dedicated to using his success to inspire and empower future creatives.

Justine Calverley | First Pencil

Justine has worked on projects ranging from subtle and warm performance pieces to complex 3D animation, realistic visual effects, outlandish stop frame, Big Data documentaries and even the collation of a Fashion Show. Her love for the craft shows in her attention to detail and scrupulous integrity to concept, regardless of the brief.

Justine Patterson | TinToy Films

Starting as an editor at TinToy, Justine utilised her storytelling knowledge to enhance her directing skills. Her short film “Mirage”, delves into the depths of mental health. Her journey also included co-writing and co-directing a mini-documentary series, “I Am Not an Object”, which explores gender-based violence within the South African context. Justine has also developed a niche in documentary storytelling and branded content.

Karien Cherry | Giant Films

Currently ranked as the Number 1 director in the African & Middle Eastern region (Loeries 2020 Rankings). This year she has served on both the D&AD and AICP directing juries and continues to be one of South Africa’s most prolific directors. She is sought after by creatives for her effortless collaboration, her knack for eliciting authentic performances, and her keen sensibility to adapt the tone of her work to serve the script.

Katlego Baaitse | Spitfire

Katlego brings nuanced performances to his films while understanding the importance of a cultural lexicon within a brand or story. He has built a diverse body of work, working with brands including Converse, Chicken Licken, CTM and others.

Keletso Motau | Grinder Films

In his role as Director at Grinder Films, Keletso Motau, a trained chef and food stylist, blends culinary artistry with compelling storytelling inspired by South African culture, specializing in the direction of food-focused commercials.

Kenny Mumba | Hello Circus

Kenny has worked with brands like Vice, Walh South Africa, Vodafone (UK, Uganda, Zambia and Cameroon), Airtel (Uganda, Zambia and Tanzania). He is known for his edge in his brilliant storytelling techniques and his emphasis on performance to help brands reach their customers in the most authentic way.

Kevin Fitzgerald | Carbon Films

Things I like…travelling, funny stories, live music and dogs, swimming, ice cream, the Springboks and pizza, being on set, winning a bet and think mist, making pictures, road trips with my wife and Tom Waits, Polaroids, Friday nights and giving frights. Things I don’t like…liver, toothache, running out of toilet paper, getting frights, delayed flights and snake bites.

Kim Geldenhuys | 0307

It’s his attention to detail and concept that has led to him consistently being featured at award shows around the world, winning Gold at Cannes, the Clios, One Show, the Loeries and many others.

Kofi Zwana | Hungry Films

Kofi is a tall talented tsunami of unbridled energy and raw talent. He’s a nice guy, a global citizen, and the consummate student of filmmaking.

Koketso Matabane | Carbon Films

Koketso has cut her teeth alongside established SA directors, honing her conceptual skills as both a director and researcher on some of the country’s biggest brands. Her strength lies in her ability to deeply understand and challenge ideas, paired with her distinctive perspective and talent for delivering visually compelling and impactful narratives.

Kyle Lewis | Egg Films

Having made his name as one of South Africa’s most acclaimed music video directors, Kyle’s transitioned seamlessly into advertising, where his instinct and flair for African youth culture has been in demand with everyone from Absolut and BMW to Nike and Volkswagen.

Lamar Bonhomme | Hello Circus

With a background in theatre, anything slightly comedic that Lamar directs ends up being a live-action comic book inspired by either The Jetsons or The Flintstones. And when he isn’t carting an Alexa Mini around in the bush trying to find a tree to shoot the sun through, he’s navigating dingy buildings in the city chasing down textured backgrounds and avoiding the stench of urine.

Laurence Hamburger | Groundglass

Laurence’s mercurial talent has led to a 25-year career of wide success and acclaim. His work has won many local and international awards and despite rumours to the contrary, he prefers contrast to conflict and genuinely enjoys honest collaboration.

Lazola Gola | Bioscope Films

Lazola Gola does comedy and performance.
Lazola Gola does not do long bios. However, Lazola Gola does what it takes to get the job done.  siiiigh!…

Lazola Gola also does Stand-Up comedy and has done it for 16+ years.
Lazola Gola also d̶i̶d̶e̶d̶ d̶o̶n̶e̶ did TV Writing and Copywriting. This earned him a SAFTA and International Emmy nominations, and a Pendoring Gold, respectively. Lazola Gola also did many years in front of the camera as an actor.
All this experience makes Lazola Gola the perfect guy to do your next project.

Lebogang Rasethaba | Egg Films

“There is this intensely creative, unapologetically young and curious energy in South Africa that I sense and subscribe to; it’s really infectious and I point my camera in that direction.” This has led to Lebo winning Creative Circle Ad of the Year and screening at TED Global.

Lesedi Rudolph | Your Girlfriend

You probably know this very amiable director already, a staple in the Joburg culture scene and on Your Girlfriend’s sets, where he learnt the ropes from Linda, Morgan and Trevor. A talented photographer, aspiring chess grand master and prolific content creator, Lesedi is now sharpening his focus on commercials. Music, fashion and art has always been his sweet spot, with a knack for smart storytelling.

Louis Minnaar | Darling Films

DIRECTOR, ANIMATOR, MUSICIAN AND ALL ROUND GENIUS.
With a background in animation, design and illustration, Louis focuses on combining live action material with computer generated imagery which has materialized in music videos, commercials & short films. Louis also has experience in production design, set design as well as visual effects.

Lourens van Rensburg | 7 Films

Will

Louw Venter | Pretty Neat

Louw Venter is not only a celebrated director, screenwriter and performer in South Africa, but he is a ground-up filmmaker and copywriter who prides himself on the ability to take projects from inception, through development and production, all the way to polished post-production. His long history in film, television and advertising make him a comedy and performance specialist.

Lucinda Ohlson | CreateSA.tv

Lucinda Ohlson is a visionary Writer and Director, known for her ability to bring high-concept narrative to life through her unique imagination and passion for creative excellence. Having directed commercials for esteemed brands such as Allan Gray, Nedbank, Magnum and Unilever, as well as short films and music videos that are visually stunning, emotionally impactful and well-choreographed, Luci is an upcoming creative force to keep your eye on!

Malo 8 (Midnight After 8) | Together Films

His work reflects a real love for South African culture and the humour in everyday occurrences. It is both vibrant and real and full of the warmth that we see in his personality.

Marc Sidelsky | Egg Films

Marc’s work highlights his vision for striking cinematic storytelling, often characterized with a subtle and subversive sense of humour. His work explores a deft balancing act of aesthetically striking visuals, combined with smart, often offbeat humour.

Mark Middlewick | FirstPencil

Brands across the globe have given Mark money to make them funny adverts. He’s known for dry grounded comedy and drawing out memorable performances from actors thanks to his manipulative Machiavellian techniques. Mark’s debut short film “Security” was made as part of the Focus Features Africa First Program, while his film “The Mascot” starred Oscar award-winner Adrien Brody.

Markstry | The Star Film Company

Mark Strydom is a Commercial Director crafting high-energy campaigns across Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Renowned for his expertise in visual effects and dynamic storytelling, he delivers bold, memorable content for global brands like Samsung, Coca-Cola, and Google. His work spans genres from sports to tech, blending authenticity with cutting-edge visuals that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Matshepo Maja | The Star Film Company

Mats has been directing up a storm in the last year after going on her own after co-directing through Phi 2.0. She loves filmmaking, she loves people and her versatility in storytelling is revealed in her array of incredible work.

Matthys Boshoff | The Star Film Company

Matthys’ background is as diverse as the adventures he’s embarked on, but it was his eye for beauty that landed him an acclaimed career in film directing. His work is as assorted as his escapades, from performance and high-end post heavy commercials to feature films, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Meghan Daniels | Eyeforce

Meghan Daniels is a multi-talented visual artist who brings a unique perspective to the table. Committed to telling stories that matter, their work is driven by a strong ethical pledge to showcase diversity both on-screen and behind the lens. Fundamentally human-centric, their films are infused with a boundary-pushing aesthetic that is cinematic yet raw, tactile, and honest.

Meja Shoba | Ola! Films

Fulbright scholar, child exile returned – all about the narrative.

Michael Ellis | Video Cartel

Whether shooting in the sterile theatre of a heart surgeon’s clinic or hanging off the back of a motorcycle at ridiculous speeds to get that extra shot, Michael lives his passion for filmmaking through every project. His resourcefulness combined with an endless creative drive ensures you’re in great hands when it comes to delivering that special something.

Michael Rodrigues | Hello Circus

After returning from London with a Masters Degree in Film in 2016, Michael has used the past few years in South Africa to passionately hone his artistic voice as an award-winning director. He infuses personal experiences with his signature dreamy touch to create visual stories brimming with romance and specificity.

Mo Matli  |  FirstPencil

Mo Matli is a multifaceted creative with a keen interest in authentic storytelling and fitness. A strong believer in crafting work that connects people across barriers, Mo is known for her incredible visual sensibilities displayed in her photography and films that tackle social class, gender equality, and sexual orientation through her unflinching gaze on the human condition.

Morgan Dingle | Your Girlfriend

Morgan Dingle is a talented visual and often hilarious storyteller, as comfortable with the green-screen as he is with the actor in front of it. He has also completed folding 894 of his goal of 1000 origami cranes on which when completed he will be granted one wish. What he will wish for is none of your business.

Musa Ntshangase | Hungry Films

Our director-in-training, Musa can do it all. Production manager? Tick. Assistant director? Tick. Drone pilot? Tick. Wheelman? Tick. Crowd control? Double tick.

Mzonke Maloney | Carbon Films

Nare Mokgotho | Massif

Nare quickly made his mark, winning 2 Gold Screen Awards at the 20th Edition of the Young Director Awards in Cannes. His varied creative experience is expressed in the strong conceptual grounding, pitch-perfect timing and humour that defines his work.

Nadezna Radcore | Cake

Nadezna understands how brands operate, how trend patterns shift and form, and most importantly, how this industry has the power to make a positive difference. She’s a punk at heart and a diehard idealist with a couple of degrees in Film, Philosophy, Metaphysics and Psychology. She’s taken what she’s learnt over time and infused it into her work and she’s brilliant.

Ndumiso Sibanda | Ola! Films

Ndumiso is an ever-curious performance director who believes in magic. Being both a photographer and a filmmaker, he is self-described as “a director who shoots when no one’s looking”. Driven by rich, real characters, Ndumiso has shot projects in over 50 countries worldwide.

Nelis Botha | Robot

 A multifaceted filmmaker who started his career documenting subcultures in the South African music scene.

Nic Eve | TinToy Films

Nic Eve has a unique eye to find the art in life through a lens. His global upbringing lends to his understanding of brands and the way they talk to their audiences. His passion for documenting life is seen through his creative language and ability to capture the essence of the situation. People, places and emotion feeds Nic’s creativity to create memorable and beautiful branded content.

Nicholas Leighton | South Easter Productions

Originally trained as a musician – Cape Town born Nicholas started his career in film from the ground up as an unpaid intern for a gear house, fast forward to today he spends his time producing, directing and even scoring under his own production company with both local and international clientele from National Geographic, Proximo and William Grant & Sons, Nicholas has delved deep into the world of content creation and service.

Nicole Maria Ackermann | Romance Films

With a background in theatre and creative research, Nicole is a commercial director who takes a meticulous approach to film making, thoughtfully balancing evocative visuals with narrative. Known for her bold visual style, Nicole creates commercials with both heart and beauty.

Oscar Strauss | Hungry Films

A filmmaker. An artist. A magician with children. You don’t want to take him on at chess, but you do need him to direct your kids’ performance board.

Paul Ramaema | Robot

Combines Johannesburg street cool with a hip aesthetic.

Paul Ward | Giant Films

Paul made a name for himself as a documentary photographer capturing niche subcultures in the South African youth landscape. Paul was soon making films for high profile global clients, including Nike, Puma, and Audi who sought out his honest view into youth culture and life narratives. Paul is based out of Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Peri | Superkind

Peri is a true collaborator with a deep love for humour and performance. Whether his work is playful, charming or emotive, he always aims to bring a fresh approach and his unique voice to the project.

This multitalented, and awarded long form director translates the creative crux for stories being told in thirty seconds (or thereabouts) without losing any of the magic. He brings a big-league grasp on the full production process, sweating the small stuff – so that you don’t have to.

Pete is the most successful commercials director to come out of Port Shepstone. A high-grade performance director, with an 8.9 level in commercial direction and storytelling.

Peter is an award-winning commercials director, video maker and storyteller. A guy with a very peculiar last name, a desire to live a great life, considered young by old people and known to have a larger-than-average sized smile! Peter spends a lot of time wondering if people read bios.

Half man and half lens, Porteus, is no stranger to the film industry. Actor-turned director, his sensitivity to performance, combined with his incredible visual eye has seen him create some striking campaigns for local and international clients. The method to his madness? Don’t be boring.

With a solid foundation in production and a strong talent for visual storytelling, it’s no surprise Rajay’s trophy cabinet is filled with multiple awards from Cannes, AdFest, Spikes and Kancil, and shooting in locations as diverse as the U.S., Tanzania, India and Japan.

Rea is a South African Film and TV Award winner who currently has two feature narratives on her horizon; a mystery-comedy Netflix original and a dramedy for MNET. Her three-award winning short films show off her narrative and aesthetic flair. Rea has a strong comedic instinct and enthusiasm for working with young performers.

Renee has worked with brands such as Amstel Larger, Castrol, Halls, Spec Savers, Mweb, Cape Union Mart, Wellington’s, Kulula and Castle Lite. She is passionate about working with actors and enjoys scripts that are quirky and off-beat. She has won a Loerie for best TV and cinema commercial and received a merit award at The One Show for Prison Broadcast Network.

Retang Sebeka | InCommon Productions

A tinkerer and explorer of ideas, Retang shows his love for South African culture through a surrealist and comedic eye. Armed with a brain that never wants to stop learning he always seeks for something to love or relate to in every job he takes on.

Ric Shields | Platypus

Unsatisfied with sticking to a single area of expertise, Ric can be described as a hybrid filmmaker, combining his practical and theoretical training acquired at one of Australia’s top film academies with a sound engineering degree and a decade and a half of experience in the commercial post industry. You can consider Ric your own cinematic pocket-knife.

Ricardo Simal | Video Cartel

As a photographer, Ricardo’s name is synonymous with some of the top fashion and lifestyle brands around the world. As a director he is developing a strong and unique portfolio with his trademark raw, sensual and organically filmic style.

Rio Allen | Bioscope Films

Rio has directed a variety of music videos, TV ads, doccies, online content and branded films. Passionate about telling stories, he brings energy, expertise and craftsmanship to every project he immerses himself in.

Rob Malpage | Cake

Rob is one of the industry’s leading cinematographers turned director. A tenacious, perfectionist, he continues to direct and shoot most of his commercials for which he has been locally and internationally recognised.

Rob van den Bragt | Chocolate Tribe

Robert dos Santos | And.

Robin Goode | They

Ross Garrett | Darling Films

Ross Hillier | Video Cartel

Royd Ringdahl

Ryan Hing | And.

Sam Coleman | Patriot

Sam Sterling-Court | The Star Film Company

Samantha Nell | Gentlemen Films

Samantha Nell is a filmmaker whose work has been filmed and showcased at festivals across four continents. Samantha is known for her discernible voice which oscillates between comedy and tragedy and sometimes both at the same time. She possesses a strong eye for performances and a distinct visual aesthetic.

Sandulela Asanda | Butterfly Films

With signature irreverence, Asanda discusses subjects that are sensitive but long overdue for mainstream discourse. Her instinctive writing and critical eye equip her for commercial work for forward-thinking brands with something to say.

Shane Knock | 7 Films

Work

Shueti | Eyeforce

The work of Dutch artist Shueti ranges from high-profile commercial films to personal fine art projects. Artistically autonomous, his innovative style is defined by cinematic power, poetry and sophisticated aesthetics. A passion for extreme sports, street art, photography and design courses through his films.

Simon Barnes | Grinder Films

Simon Barnes, a seasoned Director / DoP at Grinder Films, brings his expertise in creating visually stunning, contemporary brand-focused visuals with meticulous attention to detail, innovative techniques, and a mastery of food and beverage advertising.

Siphiwe “SJ” Myeza-Mhlambi (Deceased) | 7 Films

Harder

Siya Saanga Sityana | Platypus

Siya Saanga Sityana was born into a creative world of storytelling and documenting worldly stories, and considers himself a true South African visionary. For him, film is an all-consuming passion that he has dedicated his time and life to, especially as a young black Director born in Port Elizabeth and finding his rhythm between Cape Town & Johannesburg.

Steezus | They

Steezus has worked across nearly all production phases, blending his youthful, urban taste with an authentic Gen-Z approach to storytelling that has earned him directing gigs for major brands and SA’s top Amapiano musicians. His creative process prioritises the viewer’s journey, now focusing on cinematic craft and the power of a good song to make any moment unforgettable.

Slim | Darling Films

DIRECTOR, ARTIST AND STORYTELLER
Slim has an amazing ability to tell evocative, character-driven stories – across a diverse range of genres – whether absurd comedy or poignant empathy. Coming from a design and art direction background, the concept is always key to his filmmaking – resulting in both beautiful and memorable work.

Sulette Minnaar | Butterfly Films

With a background in documentary film-making and a hunger for positive social change, Sulette’s forte is transforming corporate narratives into human stories. Everyone’s an award-winner these days, but with a Gold Loerie for Shared Value, Sulette has some serious street cred.

Tebza Keebine | Tribal Media House

Tebogo’s intuition is a superpower. Rooted in the lived experience of the South African masses, his ability to tell stories across multiple formats in documentaries, television, and recently, commercials and narrative digital content make him the most versatile alternate director right now.

Tebza Malope | The Star Film Company

Tebza’s substantial appetite for creating masterful pictures is rivaled only by the number of glasses of water he drinks during a presentation. Tebza has received every possible directing accolade available, he is always hungry for more. Tebza is a superlative filmmaker, and he’s killing it.

Terence Neale | Romance Films

Holding the title as first ever South African director to win a Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions, Terence is a director known for his surreal visual storytelling and strong conceptual approach. Whether creating music videos or commercials for heavyweight brands, his work shows a subversive originality that is compelling to watch.

Thabang Moleya | Seriti Films

It is Thabangs energetic and infectious personality that creatives have fallen in love with. His authentic and expressive take on the South African aesthetic has bolted his illustrious career, as a multi-faceted director in feature films, high-end commercials and award winning TV dramas.

Thea Small | Darling Films

DIGITAL DIRECTOR.
From directing her first commercial featuring Sho Madjozi which collected a Gold, 2 Silvers and a Bronze at Bookmarks, to crafting intimate character portraits in her music videos, Thea’s talents reveal a range of capabilities, grounded in a keen sense of storytelling that gets to the heart of any idea. Her intuitive approach to directing sees that she continues making work that’s positive, entertaining and most of all – empowering.

Thina Zibi | Hello Circus

Thina’s films “Tjuele” and “Bakhona”, received the rode reel cinematography award as well as art direction award. She has just completed post-production on her short film titled “Bompi” and is currently in post-production on her 3-part mini web series funded by the international Black Women Disrupt initiative, as well as in development phase for her documentary on Healers in South Africa.

Timothy Weyer | Iconic Agency

Timothy Weyer is a filmmaker living in Cape Town. Being a skilled editor and photographer is what makes him a good director: he has the eye to plan, capture and piece together beautiful visuals in order to tell a story. Timothy is also an accomplished musician and sound designer.

Tobias Schmutzler | Video Cartel

Toby is a storyteller to the core and has worked and created narrative features, commercials and documentaries. His latest documentary work is currently running on Netflix and Amazon Prime worldwide. In the commercial world, Toby has directed, edited and DOP’d campaigns across the automotive, FMCG, educational and corporate sectors.

Trevor Clarence | Your Girlfriend

Trevor Clarence has won numerous awards around the world for his unique and engaging directing work over the last thirteen years, specialising in comedy.  He loves making ads.  People tend to love making ads with him.

Tristan Holmes | The Star Film Company

Tristan is fiercely talented and hardworking, He applies every part of himself to every image he creates. There is sweat, blood and passion that is unrivalled. He also happens to be one of the only SA directors that has won an Oscar.

Tyron Kuypers | AVA (Audio Visual Alchemy)

Humble, honest & passionate, that’s Ty’s style; thoughtful and rational that’s how he does business. Good work is chosen and created selectively, just like his Spotify playlists.

Uys-Hanekom (Director-Duo) | CreateSA.tv

Dirk has an exceptional talent for writing, directing and editing authentic and emotive content, be it short film, music videos, television or online commercials. Elisma has an honours degree in Fine Arts and 15 years of experience in the advertising industry, having worked in strategy, production and client service. Together, this formidable husband-wife team is uniquely positioned to bring your big (and small) ideas to life through authentic storytelling and creative excellence, backed by a thorough understanding of considerations such as client expectations, budget limitations and production parameters.

Vusi Africa | Hello Circus

Durban Talents alumnus, Vusi Africa, has a unique and contemporary voice in storytelling, focused on the discovery of a hero with an African face. He honed his craft as a stage play writer and director, his work having been staged at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals including the National Arts Festival and The Festival of Fame.

Wim Steytler | The Star Film Company

After being recognised by Cannes Lions with a Young Director award, Wim has been creating beautiful moving pictures for various brands since. He loves to tell edgy stories and extracting emotion from sources that on the surface seem to have none. He is as versatile as he is talented.

Ying-Poi De Lacy | Massif

Ying-Poi started her advertising career as a creative researcher with South Africa’s top production company and went on to start Little League Films producing online branded content films for some top brands at local agencies where she has built a strong knowledge of film and advertising. Her first commercial for Cadbury’s shot in 2019 was placed 1st in Adforum’s monthly Top 5 Production Directors.

Zandi Tisani | Hello Circus

Zandi is a considered filmmaker creating edgy and adventurous work. With an emphasis on culture, humour and storytelling, there’s a refreshing combination of authenticity and a strong cinematic quality to her work. Zandi is also an accomplished writer, creative and collaborator.

Zee Ntuli | Darling Films

DIRECTOR, ART REBEL, FILMMAKER AND WRITER.
Zee’s passion and love for storytelling and cinema is revealed in his approach which is equal parts story and style; humane and aesthetic. As a writer and director that works in long-form and commercials his work has a distinctive edge.

Zipho Dlangamandla | Bioscope Films

Zipho comes from an acting background and you can tell from the authentic performances he gets out of people. His film ‘Boys Have Feelings Too’ won the Best Emerging Creative Talent at the Bokeh Fashion Film Festival 2019.

Zwelethu Radebe | Egg Films

Still in his twenties, Zwelethu has directed commercials for both local and international agencies and clients, shooting in nine countries across Africa and Europe. In 2017, he won a Silver Apex Award for Strongbow, as well as over 10 awards for his short film, The Hangman.