Director Jason Fialkov has rejoined Carbon Films after several years working independently. The move reunites him with the team behind some of his most recognised work. And while there were plenty of practical reasons for returning, Jason sums it up by saying, "I miss the family."
South Africa picked up a handful of shortlist recognitions at this year’s D&AD Awards, with a Wood Pencil awarded to Accenture Song for Allan Gray’s ‘A Seat at The Table’. Love this work, go team! And while it wasn’t the country’s biggest year at D&AD, getting shortlisted here still means the work stood out among some of the best creative entries in the world.
South Africa came out punching at The One Show Awards 2026, with local agencies, production companies, creatives, marketers, and brands picking up Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit recognition across a wide spread of categories. Go team SA! Congratulations to all the South African Pencil and Merit winners. Here’s the work that brought it home.
Every month, South Africa’s top creative and production talent help us crown the best in local craft. Now, after a full year of judging, the numbers are in and the official IDIDTHAT Craft Awards Rankings for 2025 are here. From directors and DOPs to editors, sound studios and VFX artists, this is the leaderboard of the teams consistently producing the industry’s most awarded and admired work. Now you know who to work with next!
South Africa is showing up strong at the The One Show, leading the Middle East and Africa region with 48 finalists. From agencies to production and post, the work is cutting through for Team SA, and with every finalist guaranteed a Pencil or Merit, it’s already a big win.
The judges have spoken. Director Arthur Neumeier from Eyeforce tops this month's IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards, with the esteemed Sibs Zihle, Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa and Bruno Bossi, Director at Carbon Films on the judging panel. Congratulations to Arthur!
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by two of our industry's royalty, Danni Pinch, ECD at Accenture Song and independent Director, Thina Zibi. Congrats to the top dogs this month, Bruno Bossi from Carbon Films and Zee Ntuli from Darling Films, drinks on you at the Loeries!
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by two industry powerhouses who know a thing or two about craft, Mbeu 'Snooze' Kambuwa, Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa and Grant De Sousa, Director at They. A huge round of applause to Bruno Bossi from Carbon Films and Marco Raposo de Barbosa for being recognised with Best in Craft. And of course, shoutout to the whole team that brought the KFC magic to life!
A world-class specialist in food, liquids, and beauty brings her international experience to South Africa by joining the Carbon Films team. Kristy Snell is known for her bright, highly technical work in Tabletop directing. She brings years of international experience and a body of big brand work that turns everyday products, from burgers to beauty serums, into moments of pure joy.
Yes, we know Cannes is over… but we’re not quite done talking about it. Here’s your full roundup of the week: the complete winners table, the work, and the companies that brought it home. You’ve inspired us all and reminded the world (and ourselves) what South Africans are capable of.
South Africa’s creative scene made a strong showing at this year’s One Show, bringing home two Bronze Pencils, three Silver, and 13 Merits. Congrats to the teams at Joe Public, TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Carbon Films, Darling Films, Dash Digital, Post Modern, Sterling Sound, and newly launched agency Bananas! Here you can view all the awarded work and the brilliant talent behind it.
The One Show has revealed its 2025 finalists, and South Africa again shows up with 18 for the second year in a row. Finalists include local agencies and production companies: Joe Public, TBWA\Hunt Lascaris, Bananas, Promise, Carbon Films, and Enpower Trading. These finalists await the final Pencil decisions, which will be announced during Creative Week in New York on May 15. All finalists will win Gold, Silver, Bronze Pencils or Merits. Go team SA!
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!
What happens when the world starts turning into cake? A South African team has the industry buzzing about the latest KFC Thailand commercial, not just for its originality but for its impeccable craft. Directed by Bruno Bossi from Carbon Films and conceptualised by the newly launched local agency Bananas. We sat down with Bruno to go behind the scenes.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by Shane Forbes, Executive Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris, and Justice Mukheli, Director at Romance Films. Big congratulations to Director Bruno Bossi from Carbon Films and Editor Julian Redpath for their work on KFC ‘Cake’ and for somehow making us crave cake and fried chicken at the same time.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by the honourable Tshepo Tumahole, Integrated CD at Joe Public United and Morgan Dingle, Director at Your Girlfriend. We don’t know what they’ve put in the water over at 7Films but both 7Films directors Hayden Brown and Jozua Malherbe were awarded Best in Craft. Take a bow team!
Carbon Films has announced that multitalented director Christian Mangachena has joined their roster. Christian brings a distinctive visual style to advertising that feels unfamiliar, raw and real. As a director with a background in cinematography and editing, Christian uses camera angles, locations, textures and colour palettes to take a deep dive into culture that feels unconventional and refreshing. Christian brings something that we don’t think we’ve seen before and with the production chops of Carbon, we can’t wait to see more.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by the ever red-carpet ready Jacquie Mullany, ECD at FCB Africa & Bruno Bossi, Director at Carbon Films. Congratulations to VFX maestros Eddie Addinall and Rory Mark from The Refinery and directing wizard Greg Rom from Gentlemen Films.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by the spreaders of amazingness; Neo Mashigo, Chief Creative Officer at M&C Saatchi Group South Africa & James Matthes, Creative Executive Officer at Pressure Cooker. Congratulations to November’s top crafters, Zee Ntuli from Darling Films and 7 Films‘ Gorgeous Bushman.
What a month! Really great work was entered, and there was a lot of it, making it really tough for our judges, but they pulled through. September’s (we know, we know, we’re a bit late this month but we blame the glitz, the hangovers and the velvety seats of this year’s Loeries) IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by the insightful and wise Kirk Gainsford, Chief Creative Officer, MullenLowe SA and Katlego Baaitse, Director at Spitfire Films. Congratulations to Dean Blumberg from Massïf, Zee Ntuli from Darling Films and Peter Pohorsky from Plank on taking home Best of Craft. Well done for doing well!