Spitfire’s Director AK recently used the new VRtuosus studio in Hyde Park on a shoot for Profmed featuring Springbok prop Ox Nche, becoming one of the first South African commercial directors to put VRtuosus through the real test.
Being invited to judge at Cannes Lions is one of the highest honours in our industry. This year, 31 South Africans help shape the festival's most important conversations, serving on both shortlisting and awarding juries across categories ranging from Titanium and Glass to Film to Media, Design, PR and a Jury President in-between. Meet the marketers, strategists, filmmakers, designers and creative leaders representing South Africa on the global stage. Thank you legends for making us proud.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by Jabulani Sigege, Group Executive Creative Director at Machine_ and Jessie Zinn, Director at Bioscope Films. Thank you kindly legends for your time and expertise on this. And wow, there was a lot of work. We love seeing the industry producing at this volume. Let’s keep going! Massive congratulations Zee Ntuli from Darling Films on taking home Best in Craft for your work on KFC.
Under an absurd apartheid-era law, that keeps rapists anonymous and silences rape victims, women who publicly name their rapists can be prosecuted before a case has even gone to trial. We had to read that twice. We take a look at the new campaign called ‘NXME HIM’, whose sole objective is to get the Minister of Justice, Mmamoloko Kubayi’s, attention and force this long-ignored law into the spotlight.
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!
Big Cannes Lions news: One of the most sought-after Cannes programmes ‘See It Be It’ just dropped its 2026 cohort, and a South African name made the cut. Congrats Liesl Lategan-Kyriakou, founder and executive producer at Spitfire Films.
And Slim takes it! This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by Juliet Honey, Creative Director at TBWA\ South Africa, and Zee Ntuli, Director at Darling Films. Thank you for lending us your smarts, you beauties. Big congrats to Slim from Darling Films for taking the top spot this month....and for getting us to order burgers.
Thirteen years is a long time in advertising. It’s even longer in production. Which is why Spitfire’s teenage birthday lands with real weight: a fresh reel, a wall of awards, a new generation of women coming up through the ranks, and some of its strongest creative years to date.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards saw creative firecrackers Saf Sindhi, Founder & CCO at Bananas South Africa and Slim, Director at Darling Films, on judging duty. A standing ovation for directors Hayden Brown from 7 Films and Katlego Baaitse from Spitfire Films, both came in swinging and walked off with the month’s highest honours.
Spitfire’s newest signing is no stranger to the craft, with a decade of experience, Director Ying-Poi joins the production house with momentum. And if you ask EP Liesl Lategan Kyriakou, this one was written in the stars.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were in the expert hands of Melusi Tshabalala, Executive Creative Director at VML and Karien Cherry, Director at Giant Films. A big shoutout to Chloe Coetsee from Darling Films for taking home the top spot this month. Congrats, Chloe!
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by Sibs Zihle, Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa, and Monde Gumede, Director at SHIBOBO! A massive shoutout to director Jessie Zinn from Bioscope Films and freelance director Royd Ringdahl for taking home Best of Craft.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards brought together two powerhouse judges: Neema Nouse, Integrated Creative Director at The Odd Number, and Dani Hynes, Director and Founder of Love Films. And they both agreed – Best of Craft this month goes to Karien Cherry from Giant Films.
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.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by perfectly equal parts demure and brat, Nkgabiseng Motau, Chief Creative Officer at Think Creative Africa and Ernest Nkosi, Director at Mogul Pictures. Congrats to Justice Mukheli from Romance for taking home the top spot this month. Well done mister!
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.
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.
Chances are, the name Katlego Baaitse has been ringing in your ears more frequently, and there’s good reason for it. Currently, everything he touches is catching the attention of the top judging talent, who all seem to be playing a game of ‘Katlego Bingo’ because they all agree; that he is a formidable performance and comedy director. With an insatiable appetite for big-scale world-building Katlego is consistently surprising us with work that is as excellent as it is eccentric.
This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by the distinguished Brendan Hoffmann, ECD at Joe Public Cape Town and the esteemed Ian Gabriel, Director at Giant Films Thank you sirs! Congratulations to Production Designer (or if you prefer, Art Director) Louise Knepscheld on her work for Kruger and Slim from Darling Films for his MTN spots. Well done you crafty beauties!
June’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by two creative powerhouses armed with their impeccable artistic palates; Camilla Clerke, Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa & Thina Zibi, Independent Director. Thank you for lending us your fiery brilliance. Congratulations to Slim from Darling Films for being awarded Best in Craft by both judges - BOOM.