

FirstPencil
FirstPencil is an all female 1 BB BEE Level 1 South African production company servicing clients in both South Africa and abroad. We are passionate about creating work that combines powerful aesthetics, real connection and careful consideration.
Cape Town & Johannesburg
Co – Founder & Director: Justine Puren-Calverley
Producer: Lebo Mabuela
Director & Co-founder | Justine Puren Calverley
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.
Producer | Lebo Mabuela
Lebo is the glue that keeps both the team and the production together. She’s our tie-breaker and our final decision.
With over 10 years of production experience, Lebo can negotiate any location, wrangle any crew and bring together any production – big or small.
- 2016 CICLOPE New Balance – Dean (Silver – Editing)
- 2016 New Generation Awards – Dstv From My Home to Your Home (Best Integrated Marketing Campaign by an Agency), (Most Innovative Digital Campaign by a Large Agency)
- 2016 Loeries – SANBS – Sit down to Save lives (Silver)
- 2015 Cannes – War Museum – Cup of Life (Bronze)
- 2015 Loeries – War Museum – Cup of Life (Gold)
First Pencil
13 9th Street
Mellville
Johannesburg
Gauteng
2109
Producer: Lebo Mabuela
[email protected]
+27 071 687 0508
AWARDED BY IDIDTHAT
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
First Pencil | Justine Puren-Calverley
Standard Bank ‘HeforShe’ (Directors Edit & Final Mix)
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Marc Algranti, EP / Music Supervisor at Pulse Music
February 2020
Judge’s comment: “Justine’s direction drew me in from the very first breath of this film. She takes you along the emotional journey. Her point of view puts you right into these women’s feelings. We never get to see their faces, the brave faces they need to put on everyday. The shortness of breath upfront creates a sense of unease and this unease continues throughout the film. Justine has managed to portray a very uncomfortable reality that is very moving and has resulted in a powerful piece of work. Well done.”
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
First Pencil | Justine Puren-Calverley
Siemens ‘FABRIC’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Xolisa Dyeshana, Chief Creative Officer and Partner at Joe Public
October 2018
Judges Comment: “This piece, whilst not being a traditional commercial is a beautiful idea and it’s beautifully shot. It’s very easy to switch off or for the mind to wander when looking at very technical type of visuals, but this one kept my attention till the end.”
FEATURED WORK
FEATURED STORIES
FEATURED
Best in Film Craft: July 2019
Every month iDidTht.com teams up with an industry leader to award South Africa’s best in Film Craft. Even though July's judge doesn’t need to look at his own awards (and there are plenty) to validate his success (which is huge), we’re practically giddy when he agrees to judge ours. Thank you to the wonderful Ahmed Tilly 😘
South African Companies that made us proud at Cannes 2019
Now that we’ve finally cut off wristbands and bid farewell to all the Cannes chaos, it’s time to take stock. Looking to work with the best of the best in South Africa over the next year? Well here is your quick guide to all of SA’s awarded companies at Cannes 2019. Yessiree folks, these are the guys to keep on your radar when you decide who to work with on your future campaigns.
South Africa’s Cannes Predictions 2019
iDidTht.com asked some of our fearless industry leaders to channel their inner-psychics to select the work that they predict will win in Cannes this year. We’re incredibly thankful and in awe of the great people that lent us their experience, knowledge and sexy eyes (♫Ooh ooh aah aah sexy eyes ♫). A massive thank you to our judges; Devin Kennedy, Kabelo Moshapalo, Molefi Thulo, Steph Van Niekerk, and Suhana Gordhan, and of course our partners, Ster-Kinekor Sales, for enabling us to bring you the Big #SAatCannes Picture!
Best in Film Craft: May 2019
Every month iDidTht.com teams up with an industry leader to award South Africa’s best in Film Craft. This month, the CCO of Grey Africa, Fran Luckin, lends us her years of experience and talent by stepping up to the judging plate. More importantly though, she makes us look damn cool, because guys, it’s Fran flippen Luckin! 😍




