Spitfire
Spitfire Films aims to craft creative content for screens and the end result will range from television commercials to long-format films.
Johannesburg
Directors: AK / Akin Omotoso / Ed Van Blerk / Hloni Ntsooa / JT / Katlego Baaitse / Peter Heaney / Rajay Singh / Paul Ramaema / Bongani Morgan
Producers: Liesl Karpinski / Baleseng Lee Mokola
Started in 2012, Spitfire.tv aims to craft creative content for screens from television commercials to long-format films.
Launched by Liesl Lategan and AK after meeting in 2011 and forming a partnership in 2012 Liesl was originally on her way to becoming a lawyer, but that all changed her career direction after interning at a film company in the US. Since then Liesl has become the one of the film industry’s most well know producers based on the successes of an impressive list of clients and a string of D&ADs, several Loeries, Cannes, Promax, Vuka awards and more.
AK is regarded as one of South Africa’s top directors, focussing on a variety of content including TV commercials, activations and online content. His work in the advertising industry is legendary, with a career that continuously places firsts for the likes of Adidas, Investec, KFC, Landrover, Fox, DSTV, and many more.
This Turn Key Production House works with some of South Africa’s top directors and producers to keep delivering on such a high-level, leading the way in contemporary production. They are passionate about transformation and they are building and training young film makers through our Spitfires for the Future programme. For more you can view their website.
- 2 x Gold at Promax for Fox Crime Cinema Activation
- 1 x Merit certificate from The One Show for Fox Crime Cinema Activation
- 2nd Place at Ad of the Year for Fox Crime Cinema Activation
- Cannes Short List for Fox Crime Cinema Activation
- 4 x Silver Loeries – The Walking Dead
- 1 Silver Canes Lion – The Walking Dead
- D&AD Pencil – The Walking Dead
- Ad of the Month – ‘Tapiola’ (Helsinki)
- British Design Awards Silver – Nova TV Idents
- D&AD Finalist – 5FM DJ
- Cannes Finalist – Super Seven
- Fines Festival Gold Lux – Superheroes
- Dogstar Awards x 5 Gold – Pojola Sufer
- Asian Awards 2 x Gold, 1 x Silver – Lemon Water Still Life
- Runner up of AD of the Year – SANBS Blood Donation TVC 2013
- Winner ATKV 2012 Best Director and Best Drama – Erfsondes Season 4
- Winner ATKV 2012 Best Director and Best Drama – Erfsondes Season 5
- 1st Project – Play it to break it
- SAMA Nominee 2007 ‘BEST LIVE DVD’
- Nominated for 7 x SAFTA’s and 2 x SA Comedy Awards – Laugh Out Loud 1 & 2
- Gold Book Mark Award 2016 – KFC: Shakin’ Shakin’
- Gold Loeries 2016 – KFC: Shakin’ Shakin’
- Bronze One Show Award – KFC: Shakin’ Shakin’
JOHANNESBURG OFFICE
+27 (0) 11 268 2286
+27 (0) 112682247
FEATURED WORK
AWARDED BY IDIDTHAT
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Spitfire Films | Katlego Baaitse
SAB ‘Don’t Accept Whatever’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Brendan Hoffmann, ECD at Joe Public Cape Town
August 2023
Brendan’s comment: ‘Katlego brought this story to life really well with great performances, comedic timing, clever titles and some interesting camera transitions. That ice skater gets me every time.’
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Spitfire Films | Katlego Baaitse
KFC ‘Whodunnit?’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Grant De Sousa, Director at They
October 2022
Grant’s comment: ‘I love this campaign and I especially love how the supporting work around it was no afterthought. With limited resources (I think it’s maybe 3 locations and one lead in total) I can feel the director working here. Performance nuances are very funny and love the subtle digs at the other brands. It’s tongue in cheek and I feel this campaign will shake this category up.’
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Spitfire Films | JT Moatshe
Ballantine’s ‘Stay True Cities’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Jabulani Sigege, Executive Creative Director at Machine_
June 2022
Jabulani’s comment: ‘A superbly directed mini-documentary that allows two of Pretoria’s hottest DJs, Mellow and Sleazy, to tell their tale of how they got together and created their Pitori-influenced Amapiano sound. Their story is enhanced by them telling it in their mother tongues and bringing in locations from their respective hoods, and people who have been along for their journey or know them. All of the above combine to create a compelling narrative that is gritty, authentic and can’t be anything but Mzansi. The director knew what they wanted and made sure they got it.’
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Spitfire Films | Katlego Baaitse
YAP ‘Digital Banking’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Mzi Kumalo, Founder and Director at Olamuk
February 2022
Mzi’s comment: ‘Katlego does a good job with this piece, using the medium cleverly to deliver a fun energetic piece with a sprinkle of humour. It’s visually compelling and does a good job of communicating the offering of the product/service.’
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Spitfire Films | Waldo Pretorius
Loeries ‘Uber’ & ‘Dictator’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Bridget Johnson, Consulting Executive Creative Director at WICK
September 2018
Judge’s comment: “Thanks to Waldo Pretorius from Spitfire for bringing a nostaglic smile to my face on the Loeries spots, ‘Uber’ & ‘Dictator’, and for making work that looks nothing like anything else at the moment.”
AWARDED: CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Spitfire Films | AK
ISUZU ‘Made From Real’
IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Jenny Glover, Executive Creative Director at TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris
April 2016
Judge’s comment: “AK from Spitfire Films: The music choice on Isuzu, Made from Real is very early 2000’s but in a good way. It really lifts what is a largely functional story and script..”
IDIDTHAT FEATURED STORIES
Craft Award Results: January 2025
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by Verona Meyer, ECD at M&C Saatchi Abel and Mzonke Maloney, Director at Carbon Films. Congrats Directors, Thina Zibi and Thea Small, as well as DOP Josh Levi for your Best in Craft wins this month!
Spitfire’s Director AK on embracing change, filmmaking, and lessons in fatherhood
And this for the spitfire intro: With over 24 years of directing 360+ commercials across 32 countries, Spitfire’s Co-Founder AK is one of South Africa’s most experienced directors. Beyond the awards and on-set adventures, his journey is also about family, personal growth, and a deep love of film.
Spitfire boosts its talent roster with the arrival of director Paul Ramaema
Spitfire has welcomed director Paul Ramaema to its roster, solidifying the production company’s reputation for fostering young gifted talent. Paul’s work ranges from car commercials to music videos and comedy performance spots; a great fit for a production company that embraces multi-talented directors.