South African director Raphadu Maphoto wins global Le Book Emerging Talent Award in Paris
Paris is not a bad place to be told you’re one of the world’s most exciting emerging talents. Eyeforce director Raphadu Maphoto was flying the South African flag high as he took home the Content & Talent Award at the 2026 Le Book Emerging Talent Awards in Paris, becoming the first South African to receive this recognition.
For those unfamiliar, Le Book has spent over four decades connecting agencies, brands and production companies with top creative talent across the world, hosting influential industry events in Paris, Milan, London, Los Angeles and more. Their Emerging Talent Awards, launched in partnership with the Moniker Foundation, were created to spotlight the next generation of standout creatives across photography, fashion, illustration, VFX, and content.
Raphadu was selected as the overall winner in his category by an international jury led by Robert van den Heuvel, Executive Creative Director at Publicis Groupe, placing him amongst a new wave of globally recognised creative talent.
South African director Raphadu Maphoto celebrates his Le Book Emerging Talent Award win in Paris, proudly repping the flag on the global stage.
Represented locally by production company Eyeforce, Raphadu has been building one of the more exciting emerging reels. His work sits at the intersection of culture, emotion and cinematic storytelling, often leaning into psychologically raw, deeply human narratives with a strong visual sensitivity.
VICE x EU ‘Frames of Morocco’ with Ismail Zaidy
Co-directed by Raphadu Maphoto & Arthur Neumeier
Extreme ‘Bula Sekele’
Co-directed by Raphadu Maphoto & Ralf Demesmaeker
His portfolio already includes campaigns and documentary work for VICE, Adidas, the European Union, and Extreme Energy, alongside personal film work that has earned him recognition well beyond advertising… In 2020, he won an International Emmy Award (SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!) for his short film ‘Dear Peace’. He has also picked up two IDIDTHAT Craft Mentions for his co-directing work and was featured in GQ South Africa’s Young & Gifted series in 2025.
The winners of the Le Book Emerging Talent Awards 2025
There’s something pretty fitting about a surname that has the word ‘photo’ in it. Long before he picked up a camera, Raphadu was already drawn to framing the world around him, and that instinct continues to shape the way he directs today. He says, “My process is grounded in observation, listening and immersion, drawing inspiration from real people, real places, and emotional truths that feel natural rather than manufactured.”
Speaking on the win, Raphadu says, “It feels like more than just a personal moment. There’s a broader story here around representation and the continued rise of African voices within the global creative space.”
And while international recognition is always nice, the award also marks an important local moment for a director eager to collaborate with South African agencies and brands as his commercial career continues to grow. With this kind of global validation, a stacked young career already behind him, and a distinct voice behind the camera, Raphadu feels like a name the local industry should probably get familiar with.
Wanna (s)talk some more, Raphadu’s website, Director’s Agent – Coco Seigette and Representation: Eyeforce
Contact Eyeforce
Producer: Samantha Lowe
samantha@eyeforce.co.za
+27 (0) 82 325 1321
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Produced by the IDIDTHAT Content Studio
Credits: Anne Hirsch (Writer) / Julie Maunder
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This editorial was commissioned by Raphadu Maphoto.
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