Kit has grabbed every opportunity she can as a filmmaker; she applied for all the government funding opportunities out there (and got them!) to enable her to put together a showreel and film her first three short films. She was chosen as one of two aspiring filmmakers to be part of the BET mentoring program in Canada, grinded hard as a music video director for two years, filmed 3 features for Mzansi, has filmed two reality shows for SABC, grafts as a commercial director and is currently busy with her own feature film. The woman doesn’t sleep.

iDidTht: After all this, it must have been one hellavu decision to finally sign on the dotted line and join the Darling team?
Kit: Not at all. The producers Melina and Lorraine are such a force and very protective. I chose Darling because I felt a lot of warmth from them and I also like the calibre of directors they have. I think it’s a step up for me and it’s a great fit.

iDidTht: So many agencies in SA have committed to brief more black directors and have also signed the pledge to Free the Bid. As a black female director, are you seeing that practically put into place?
Kit: Honestly, not enough. In my own experience, I think some clients doubt that we have the confidence to pull it off, which is of course pretty damn unfounded. I did realise that as soon as they saw me in action and discovered what I can bring to a production, all of those questions and all of those fears completely disappeared.

iDidTht: Having to constantly prove yourself has to get to you after a while though, have you ever just wanted to throw in the towel or more appropriately burn the damn towel to the ground?
Kit:  Ha! You don’t understand, there is absolutely nothing else in the world I want to do apart from film.
iDidTht: Wow, respect! So what do you tell young black women wanting to enter the industry?
Kit: Don’t be afraid. You have to aggressively believe in your talents no matter what is taking place around you. And probably the most important one is bet on yourself, always bet on yourself.

iDidTht: What advice got you to where you are today?
Kit: The best advice would have to be from my mother. She told me very early on that I have to work twice as hard to get to where I want to be, and I have to believe twice as hard that I can achieve what I want.

Director Kit’s dream of working in this industry started at a young age, after visiting the set of Amelia starring Richard Gere and Hilary Swank (we know right?! #Goals), filmed on a family friend’s farm in the Eastern Cape, she was hooked. Throughout her studies at AFDA 7 years ago she also worked as an actress, and guys (apologies Kit, but we just have to), she was even Smartycat in the kids show Cool Catz! (Wildly clapping!)

Kit’s love of aesthetics and colours and her excitement of taking the audience on a visual journey in her commercials is very different to the dramatic work she is passionate about in long form. But the two worlds – playful and serious – somehow make sense, because that is Director Kit. Captivated by beauty and motivated by narrative choice Kit is the kind of director who gets right to the heart of story and draws it out with a profound visual appreciation.

Produced by the iDidTht Content Studio
Credits: Anne Hirsch (Writer) / Julie Maunder

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This Editorial is paid for by Darling Films. Want our studio to create content that puts your agency/company/kickass ad you made in bright lights for the whole industry to see? Contact julie@ididtht.com and we’ll make it happen! #Boom