From L-R: Founders, Director AK, and Executive Producer, Liesl Lategan-Kyriakou

Top Row, From L-R: Head of Production: Baleseng Makola, Directors: Katlego Baaitse and Bongani Morgan
Bottom Row, From L-R: Directors: Hloni Ntsooa, Ying Poi De Lacy and Junior Producer: Relebohile Thianye

When he’s not directing, AK readily mentors up-and-coming directors, always part of the Spitfire team, both creatively and operationally, with an international footprint that continues to influence the work. To date, he has directed in 34 countries, bringing global experience into much of Spitfire’s work. Katlego does much the same, yielding a complementary skill set from his own side of the creative fence. Teamwork is part of Spitfire’s DNA, with everyone jumping in to help someone else at any given time, in good spirit and without ego.

From L-R: Directors: JT, Paul Ramaema and Peter Heaney

A production company’s trajectory is never linear, and Spitfire has had the same mix of standout years, tough years, and reinventions as anyone operating at this level. But the last two years have marked a significant resurgence. The company’s workload increased across all directors, contributing to one of its strongest periods yet and a year that also saw Liesl invited to judge both Cannes Lions and the Loeries. For Liesl, Spitfire’s 13th birthday is not just a company milestone, it’s personal. “Spitfire is my family. It’s my whole identity,” Liesl says. “I would go to war for anyone on my team. This year has been our most successful yet and we are just growing from strength to strength. I look forward to the next 13.”

At the centre of Spitfire’s internal culture is Head of Production Baleseng Makola, who has been with the company for ten years. Liesl first encountered her as a student at Big Fish Film School, where Bale stood out for her focus and presence. Over the years, she has moved from junior to the person responsible for managing the producing team, maintaining standards, and helping shape the next generation.

“We really are a family,” Bale says. “The culture here is about growing young women to lead this industry and to give them the confidence, the skills, and the space to step up. That’s what Spitfire has done for me, and what I now get to do for the next group coming in.”

For a company entering its teenage years, Spitfire feels more focused than ever – busy, confident, and continuing to grow on its own terms. Happy birthday you beauts!

*From the fictional land of Brobdingnag in Jonathan Swift‘s 1726 novel, Gulliver’s Travels. The adjective is used to describe something that is of gigantic or enormous size, because Brobdingnag was a land populated by giants.