South African Indies - Filmmaker Catalogue 2014

SOUTH AFRICAN

FILMMAKER CATALOGUE 2014

INDIES

SOUTH AFRICAN


CONTENTSSouth African Indies Filmmaker Catalogue 2014 0401

Designed and published by:

CONTENTS

The Association for Transformation in Film and Television (ATFT) is a non-profit company that tackles transformation in the film and TV industry in South Africa and aims to implement the various transformation strategies and programmes that organisations and government stakeholders in the industry have in place.

ATFT’s statement of purpose is “to empower, develop and inspire black females, physically impaired and black individuals, as well as black-owned companies, and grow the South African Film, Television, Animation and Transmedia Industries“.

ATFT believes South African filmmakers need to increase their networks of international contacts, which will enable them to conduct business according to international standards and develop strong business models for their companies.

WHO ISATFT?

COVER PHOTOGRAPH: Warm Mouth © Patrick Ryan • Bird on a Wire | Thank you for your contribution.

INTRO3. About the SA Film Industry

PROJECTS4. 13 hours Aluta

5. Dinuzulu's Exile Firetown

6. Marikana: A Tale of Invisible Women Meet Joe Food

7. New York/New Brighton Parts of a Whole

8. Pelindaba Pop Lock ‘n Roll

9. Precious Metal Safe Bet

10. Sin Bin to Celebrity: The John Robbie Story The Good Doctor

11. Sekwankwetla! Township Superhero Trigger

PRODUCTION PROFILES12. 1000 Hugs Films Asi-B Films

13. Big Fish Diamond Hill

14. Diprente Films Disadvantaged Background Productions

15. Gambit Films Inside Job Media

16. Kalahari Pictures Kutaya Productions

17. Mandela Bay Pictures Mshiswa Media

18. Rzalutionary Filmworks Sakhuri Multimedia

19. Sukuma Media twospinningwheels productions

INTRO TO ATFTSouth African Indies Filmmaker Catalogue 2014 0403

South Africa has a vibrant film industry that is growing in reputation and is competitive internationally. Local and foreign filmmakers are taking

advantage of the country’s diverse, unique locations, as well as low production costs and favourable exchange rate, which makes it more affordable to make a movie here than in Europe or the US.

The jewel in the industry’s crown is Tsotsi, Gavin Hood’s gritty drama about a young gangster in Soweto, South of Johannesburg, which won an Academy Award for best foreign language film in 2006.

In 2010, District 9 - an action-packed science-fiction movie about a sub-class of aliens forced to live in the slums of Johannesburg - was nominated for four Academy Awards, including best picture.

South Africa also has a growing reputation as a producer of award-winning local content, such as Oscar-nominated Yesterday, the story of the struggles of an HIV-positive mother, and U-Carmen eKhayalitsha, a Xhosa-language film which won the Golden Bear award at the 2005 Berlin Film Festival.

Documentary filmmaker Francois Verster’s A Lion’s Tale won a non-fiction Emmy in 2006, recognised for its “most outstanding cultural and artistic programming”.

Building on South Africa’s reputation for quality and creative film making, a string of successful big budget international productions have been filmed here, including Fury Road, the fourth Mad Max film; Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio; and Clint Eastwood’s Invictus.

Opportunities abound, with the makers of movies, commercials and other productions being attracted by South Africa’s highly skilled film crews and technicians, excellent technical capacity and infrastructure - as well as the good weather.

Our Mission ATFT is pleased to present its delegation of emerging filmmakers from South Africa to Marché du Film. ATFT, together with the South African Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Wesgro, hosts the South African Indies Stand at Marché du Film 2014 and has created this catalogue of companies and productions from South Africa in attendance at Marché du Film 2014.

Our Statement of Purpose“To empower, develop and inspire black females, physically impaired and black individuals, as well as black-ownedcompanies, and grow the South African Film, Television, Animation and Transmedia Industries”.

ATFT’s Highest Aspiration“An overall growth of 200% of South African content on local and international platforms of which 80% is made and sold by black females, physically impaired and black individuals, and black-owned companies by end 2018”

Contact InformationWeb: www.atft.infoE-mail: [email protected] 2013South African Non Profit Corporation No: 2013/054061/08

Executive DirectorsSifiso Khanyile - SpokespersonMayenzeke Baza - Intl. RelationsTshego Molete - Skills DevelopmentPascal Schmitz - Public Officer

StaffZukiswa Boyce - Project Coordinator

Come learn about the South African Independant Television and Transmedia Industry. A world of locations in one country, great weather, first class crew, facilities and infrastructure, amazing stories, co-production treaties with many countries and great funding and tax incentives.

Meet some of the world’s friendliest and most passionate filmmakers at the SA Indies Stand at the Festival de Cannes and read more about some of the projects on offer at various stages, from development to completed work, in this catalogue.

ATFT SA Indies Stand 120, International village pavilion, Marché du Film 14-23 May 2014.

ABOUT THE SOUTH AFRICAN FILM INDUSTRY

To empower, develop and inspire black females, physically impaired and black individuals, as well as black-owned companies, and grow the South African Film, Television, Animation and Transmedia Industries.

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The Association for Transformation in Film and Television04 PROJECTS

As Benny starts to dig, he finds strands linking the two cases, but for Rachel time is running out, and Benny has 13 hours to close the case or send her home in a box.

The clock is ticking…

Director: Donovan MarshDuration (min): 90Format: HDType: Feature FilmGenre: ThrillerBroadcasters / Financiers / Distributors / Sales Agents: The Little Film CompanyLooking for: Finance

Kalahari Pictures

S ix months after drying out, Benny Griessel’s first day back at work starts with high hopes. He wants to reconcile with his wife, achieve the

promotion that’s been eluding him and find some stability in the maelstrom of his life.

Fat chance.One young woman lies in a churchyard,

throat slit from ear to ear. An American tourist. It can’t get worse. Until Benny realizes that she had a pal, another woman, who’s now running for her life through the Cape Town streets. Rachel Anderson – an American doctor, doing a sabbatical at Cape Town’s busiest hospital.

As he starts to piece together who might be after her, and why, reports come in that she’s fled into the townships where life is cheap and for a young foreigner, deadly.

Butting up against this is another case, that of a murdered music impresario, who appears to have been shot by his alcoholic wife, the beautiful singer Alexa Barnard.

13 HOURS

Phase: Development

Asi-B FilmsALUTA

A luta is a political thriller with rough edges. Centred around an ex-MK solider who has entered the world of politics, but is

forced to take up arms again when he is thrust into the middle of a plot to kill the president.

20 years into South African democracy, an apartheid veteran faces a war of a different kind, going against fat cats who want a lion’s share and won’t mind breaking a few bones to get it.

Finding inspiration from television shows and films like ‘Prison Break’ and ‘The Fugitive’, Aluta is a genuine South Africa project which origins are based on a true story.

This is a film that speaks to our history, our present and our future, with strong characters who not only speak about their problems, but are courageous enough to put themselves on the line and face them.

Director: Asivhanzhi “Asi” MathabaDuration (min): 90Format: HDType: Feature FilmGenre: ThrillerLooking for: Co-Producers, Finance, Sales Agent, Distributor, Festival Programmers

Phase: Development

PROJECTS South African Indies Filmmaker Catalogue 2014 0405

FIRETOWNInside Job Media

When a young girl who comes from an upper class upbringing is kidnapped, a desperate mother tries

everything legal to bring her daughter back. Her husband George feels emasculated and wishes he could help but doesn’t have her strength so turns to the bottle instead. She meets a prostitute at the police station who tells her to speak to some other sex workers on Oxford Road in the hope that they would know something.

She decides to take the law into her own hands and finds out about a local gangster who might be able to help her. She goes to the local township and enlists the help of a gangster named Luzo to help her find her daughter. They agree on a fee and Luzo asks his right hand man Mustafa to search everywhere.

We later find out that Mustafa’s sister was raped and killed by militia which

haunts him to this day. A determined Diane and Mustafa take a journey into the dark underbelly world of prostitution, hijacking, child trafficking and the mysterious world of Sangomas in pursuit of her daughters life.

Director: Arvid StillerDuration (min): 90Format: HDType: Feature FilmGenre: ThrillerLooking for: Co-Producers, Finance, Sales Agent, Distributor

Phase: Development


Director: Khubu Zulu (Open to other international & local directors.)Duration (min): 90Format: FilmType: Feature FilmGenre: DramaBroadcasters / Financiers / Distributors / Sales Agents: SABC Looking for: Finance, Sales Agent, Distributor, Festival Programmers

Sakhuri Multimedia

A tale of death, destruction and DNA. The 19-year-old Zulu king – my great grandfather – was forced into exile for 10 years from 1889

to the island of St Helena in the Atlantic Ocean while Britain consolidated its hold on his kingdom.

His most ardent supporter, Harriet Colenso – daughter of the Bishop of Natal – and her sister, Francis, visited him on the island and he had an affair with her. Harriet campaigned tirelessly for his release. She was regarded as a “heretic” and she was accused of being Dinizulu’s “whore”.

While in exile he fathered numerous children with members of his entourage, entertained visiting dignitaries and polished his skills on the piano and as a cricketer and horseman.

On his return to Natal, he tried to reunite the Zulus and attempted to reclaim his kingdom without success. He died in poverty without realising his dream.

DINUZULU’S EXILE

Phase: Pre-production

FIRETOWN

dinuzulu


Director: Yolanda K MogatusiDuration (min): 24Format: HDType: TransmediaGenre: FamilyBroadcasters / Financiers / Distributors / Sales Agents: 1st broadcast - SABC 3Looking for: Sales Agent, Distributor, BroadcasterTrailer Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7W_bGtoSY9E

1000 Hugs Films

Meet Joe Food is a dramatic magazine programme about a young, too-cool-for-school boy, Joe, who is

slowly realizing the effects of his slacking, present lifestyle on his future body and self. Through trial and error, Joe discovers what he likes, what he doesn’t like and what he needs to like in order to live a healthy lifestyle and still make it to age 50!

In this season Joe has a new found zeal for life; he is going to do everything he thought he would never do and eat a more healthy diet, with the help of a chef. He draws up a bucket list and he goes for it. “The list” includes new exotic foods that he has never dared to taste, learning to play golf and fence like a gentleman, becoming a speedster Schumacher for a day and then the ultimate one he fears the most - learning how to swim...well, row on water... for a start!

MEET JOE FOOD

Phase: Complete

PROJECT IMAGE

MARIKANA: A TALE OF INVISIBLE WOMENRzalutionary Filmworks

Four rural women’s lives collide after a fatal platinum miners’ wage dispute leaves their husbands dead. They have to fight for the survival of their

families; when their only choice is to seek work as miners themselves. Can they fight for truth, justice and reconciliation?

This film meets four widows, Betty Gadlela from Dvokolwako in rural Swaziland, 19 year old Phumeza Mabiya, 30-year-old Nombulelo Nqongophele and cervical cancer survivor Nocingile Sokhanyile from rural Eastern Cape. This multiple protagonist story shares the human stories behind their black veils and mysticism of African cultures set against the background of losing your spouse at the hands of law enforcers. It becomes a journey of truth, justice and reconciling the past, present and future for these women.

These fragile women try to understand how they are supposed to feed their young

children, redefining their lives outside their marital existence in African cultures that are patriarchal and leave many women not sure where they belong after they become widows.

Director: Mariza MatshayaDuration (min): 84Format: HDType: Feature FilmGenre: DocumentaryLooking for: Co-Producers, Finance, Sales Agent, Distributor, Broadcaster, Festival Programmers


MEETJOEFOOD



Diprente FilmsPARTS OF A WHOLE

John wakes up from a coma with acute amnesia and is taken into the house of a brilliant young doctor, Walter, who claims to be his friend. John is horribly

disfigured by the accident and struggles to remember any details of his past.

Despite his constant requests, Walter does not share any details of his history as he feels John isn’t ready to know them. John’s endless frustration about his unknown past forces him to find the truth out for himself. In the process he begins to place Walter’s shining career at risk. Finally the dark secret of John’s past is revealed – he is Walter’s creation; an amalgamation of body parts of different people, sewn together and re-animated by Walter.

This fact, once revealed to John, place him and Walter, creation and creator, on a mortal collision path.

A modern and novel twist on the classic novel, Frankenstein.

Director: Arsen Anton OstojićDuration (min): 90Format: HDType: Feature FilmGenre: ThrillerLooking for: Co-Producers, Finance, Sales Agent

Phase: Development

Twospinningwheels Productions

NEW YORK / NEW BRIGHTON

N ew York/New Brighton tells the tale of two young girls who each have a vision that they go in search of. The girls, Anjelica

and Nomathamsanqua, live in the Bronx, New York and in New Brighton, South Africa. Although they never meet, they have similar life experiences at the same time, as they search for Nelson Mandela and Yemaya respectively. Anjelica is a wheelchair user and Nomathamsanqua has a visual impairment.

The film is a tribute to youth, dreams and quests. It is also being made to honour the Orisha, Yemaya and spiritual father, Nelson Mandela, who was the first democratically elected President of South Africa.

Yemaya is an African goddess who lives in the sea and is revered in certain parts of Africa and the diaspora.

Director: Shelley BarryDuration (min): 16Format: HDType: Short FilmGenre: FamilyLooking for: Sales Agent, Distributor, Broadcaster, Sale of Finished Product, Festival ProgrammersTrailer Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tyEnFXAXGIc

Phase: Complete


PELINDABAKutaya Productions

Themba Langa, a hard-working and determined Pelindaba engineer, is head of medical research using uranium at the plant, when he

becomes a suspect in a uranium deficit witch-hunt at the company. Areva is alerted by French Intelligence of a deficit in the uranium supply chain at Pelindaba. And so begins an intense investigation.

In the attempt to clear his name, Themba works closely with the chief French investigator, Didier Moreau, to prove his innocence. The investigation unravels a dangerous nuclear weapons black market and international terrorism is linked to him. The smear campaign starts at the top and ramifies to Paris and Karachi.

It is a story about love and pain, truth and deception – about one man’s fight to prove his innocence. Will the sinister clues be unravelled in time to save his career, his family, his life?

Directors: Catherine Stewart, Richard GreenDuration (min): 90Format: FilmType: Feature FilmGenre: ThrillerBroadcasters / Financiers / Distributors / Sales Agents: National Empowerment Fund, Gauteng Film Commission, Indigenous FilmsLooking for: Finance, Sales Agent, Distributor

Phase: Development

Mandela Bay PicturesPOP LOCK ‘N ROLL

Raps lives in the Cape Slums and works as a tour guide in the city. His parents recently passed away and left him to look after his younger brother.

Raps gets a lucky break when one of hisold crew members sprains an ankle and asks Raps to fill in for him at a gig at the cities most notorious club. Raps’s talent catches the eye of the club’s owner, Valentine, a music producer, and gangster, who sets him on the road to success.

But Raps falls in love with Queen, Valentine’s young Brazilian wife, a singer and star in her own right, and even though acting on their feelings could destroy their careers and their lives, Queen and Raps are unable to fight their feelings. When Valentine discovers the truth he throws Raps out of the window, crippling him. Raps, now fully aware of Valentine and Queen’s abusive relationship, puts together a plan to put his career back on track, and win back his ultimate prize – Queen.

Director: Ziggy HofmeyrDuration (min): 95Format: HDType: Feature FilmGenre: RomanceBroadcasters / Financiers / Distributors / Sales Agents: Indigenous Films DistributionLooking for: Co-Producers, Finance, Sales Agent, DistributorTrailer Link: http://vimeo.com/amariam/poplocknroll

Phase: Development



Sukuma MediaSAFE BET

Frank’s life is about to change. Like most honest men he’s not making much money from his salary. Frank has seen his boss prosper while

he is caught up in his dull and dreary life, however, an opportunity presents itself when his lifetime and best friend, Khaya, approaches him with a sure bet.

While preparing for his most daring adventure another opportunity presents itself; Lucy the irresistible temptress who works as his shop assistant finally agrees to go on a date with him. Along with her friend Makena a.k.a. “MK” the pair goes on a double date with Frank and Khaya. During the boxing match the two ladies perform a vanishing act as they run back to the shop to reveal their true agenda; empty the shop’s safe. The women are stunned when they find worthless papers, so are Frank and Khaya when the boxer doesn’t take a dive but instead knocks out his opponent. The sure

bet suddenly turns into a deadly nightmare. In desperation, Frank and Khaya embark

on and perform two daring robberies in order to recover the boss’s money while maintaining an innocent relationship with their new dates.

Director: Bonginhlanhla NcubeDuration (min): 98Format: Full HDType: Feature FilmGenre: Action, ComedyLooking for: Finance, Sales Agent, Distributor, Broadcaster, Sale of Finished Product, Festival ProgrammersTrailer Link: http://youtu.be/kmJJGcX08f0

Phase: Post-production

Director: Daryne JoshuaDuration (min): 95Format: FilmType: Feature FilmGenre: Sci-FiLooking for: Co-Producers, Finance, Sales Agent

Gambit Films

In a near future South Africa, three poverty-stricken, orphaned young boys, Enrico, Dennis and Yusuf, live alone and use a horse and cart to

collect scrap as a means to earn a living in the notorious ghettos of The Cape Flats.

Upon exchanging their day’s find for cash at a local junkyard, one of the boys finds a busted humanoid robot under a pile of junk. Having a natural knack at repairing electrical appliances, the eldest, Enrico, fixes it by chance, but only to find that the robot has an ominous history.

Very soon, deadly forces descend upon their location, launching an assault in an attempt to destroy the robot for an unknown reason.

Barely escaping, the three young lads, along with the robot are forced to embark on a treacherous journey together in order to find the robot’s creator and solve the mystery of it’s past.

PRECIOUS METAL

Phase: Development


Big FishTHE GOOD DOCTOR

Philia (The Good Doctor) – A film by Zamo Mkhwanazi: Dimpho is a young South African woman whose dreams of studying abroad are

shattered when she discovers that she is married to a Congolese man she has never met, Jean-Cristophe Kuyume. Unwilling to accept the idea of being a victim, and unable to appeal for help from the authorities, Dimpho decides to take matters into her own hands and set a trap for Jean-Cristophe. But Dimpho underestimates her quarry, and ultimately learns that she has misjudged the kind of man she sees as her enemy.

Finding common ground in their shared humanity and dreams of a better life for themselves, the two become unlikely allies. However, what Dimpho has set in motion cannot be undone, and will ultimately lead to a chain of events that will shatter both their worlds and lead to pain, loss, and ultimately growth.

Director: Zamo MkhwanaziDuration (min): 24Format: FilmType: Short FilmGenre: DramaBroadcasters / Financiers / Distributors / Sales Agents: MultichoiceLooking for: Finance, Sales Agent, Distributor, BroadcasterTrailer Link: http://kude.co.za

Phase: Complete

Diamond Hill

Sin Bin is a socio-political documentary feature film about one athlete’s decision concerning his rugby career- that ended up

indirectly affecting millions. The film travels back home to Ireland with

John as he reflects on the past 40 years of sport, politics and freedom, and whether the fateful decision he made back in 1980 made a difference, or not…

What if one man was brave enough to honestly look back, what will he find; Fans, friends or foes ... and would it be too late?

Having reached the top of his game, veteran broadcaster John Robbie journeys home to face the consequences of his simultaneously best and worst life decision. At 26 - he put sport above politics, and toured a politically turbulent South Africa in 1980, with the British Irish Lions. The quest for non-racial sport in South Africa was driven by the slogan “no normal sport in an abnormal society”.

To this day, many in Ireland and South Africa remain deeply opposed to his controversial decision; call him a traitor and a sell out. But he is ready to face his demons

The also explores “what could have been”, and what hand did the rugby fraternity have in aiding apartheid?

Director: Gerry HobanDuration (min): 82Format: HDType: Documentary FeatureGenre: DocumentaryBroadcasters / Financiers / Distributors / Sales Agents: Nfvf (National Film & Video Foundation of South Africa) Setanta Sports (Ireland)Looking for: Distributor, Broadcaster, Festival Programmers

Phase: Development

SIN BIN TO CELEBRITY:THE JOHN ROBBIE STORY



An over the hill circus strongman Sankatana, arrives back to his home town in the Free State for a makeshift one man show only to

discover that the community hall he was supposed to perform in has been destroyed. The rest of the neighbourhood wrecked by unemployment, poverty and crime.

He is invited to perform his one dumb trick - lifting heavy objects such as adults and car engines tied to a chain with only his clenched teeth - at the thriving local tavern owned by a one time high school bully turned township tycoon, Lefu.

Desperate for money and eager to reclaim his fairgrounds glory days, Sankatana accepts to perform at the tavern even though he was once a victim of Lefu’s intimidation at school. Taken aback by his newfound friendship with a childhood tormentor, Sanakatana’s old flame Naledi, now a teacher warns him that the tavern is the main enemy of the school,

turning students into rowdy, drunk hooligans.Ignoring Naledi’s pleas, Sankatana goes

ahead with his appearance at the tavern. He gets hurt and almost dies, but he’s saved with the help of a Sangoma (traditional healer) and regains his powers to come back and save his neighborhood.

Director: Teboho MahlatsiDuration (min): 90Format: HDType: Feature FilmGenre: FantasyLooking for: Co-Producers, Finance, Sales Agent, Distributor

Mshiswa Media

Mduduzi “Doozy” Guliwe, once a part of the deadly and highly trained Special Task Force, is forced to retire after a gunshot

wound. He lives a dull life, except for the one shining light in his life that he is sworn to protect, his daughter Khanyi.

But when his daughter is murdered, Doozy snaps and devolves into a blur of whiskey and prescription meds. He becomes a self-destructive force, threatening to swallow himself up.

Soon Doozy strikes up a friendship with a young bartender, Denise. A young woman, not too much older than Khanyi, who is in a physically abusive relationship – something Doozy detests, especially having lost his mother at an early age to an abusive drunkard.

Through this relationship, Doozy finally breaks through the hazy fog of drugs and booze to return, sharper and deadlier than ever... and he has a score to settle.

A vigilante action thriller set in Gangster’s Paradise – Johannesburg.

Director: Miguel BalonaDuration (min): 90Format: FilmType: Feature FilmGenre: ThrillerBroadcasters / Financiers / Distributors / Sales Agents: Rosa Balona (Financier)Sizwe Mzolo (Sales Agent/Exporter)Looking for: Finance, Distributor, Broadcaster, Sale of Finished Product

TRIGGER


Disadvantaged Background Productions

SEKWANKWETLA!TOWNSHIP SUPERHERO

Phase: Development

SEKWANKWETLA!

a feature filmby Teboho Mahlatsi

celebrated formats of storytelling inspired by the unrivalled beauty, abundance and generosity provided by Africa. This is captured on the latest world-class technology coupled with an award-winning filmic style developed by a team of creative innovators representing the inclusive spectrum of a South African diversity in unity.

Our projects include Aluta, 36 Hours, The Rhino Hero, Criminal Justice, Prodigals

Cell: +33 78 931 3783 (Calls)Tel: +27 11 264 2235Email: [email protected]: http://www.asibfilms.comAddress: P.O. Box 9536, Edenglen, South Africa, 1613

Aluta / p4

Personal Profile: Asivhanzhi “Asi” Mathaba graduated from City Varsity Film School in Cape Town - South Africa, majoring in Directing and

Producing. After spending more than 12 years in the film and TV industry, Mathaba has managed to accrue the following credits on both the local South African and the international scene; I Had It All, Rivoningo season 1 to 6, and Walk Like a Man. Internationally made films: “Storming Ernest”, International Documentaries: “Solly Story” garnered a Berlin Film Festival award.

He then went on to make “Homesick” which showed at FESPACO: A Chinese-South African film collaboration. He has also worked in countries such as Zimbabwe and Hong Kong.

Company Profile: An innovative film, television and multimedia production company, that seeks to tell untold South African and African stories with a uniquely Asi-B signature: Bringing to life the human element using internationally

ASI-B FILMS

Asivhanzhi “Asi” Mathaba

The Association for Transformation in Film and Television12 PRODUCTION PROFILES

is always seeking ways to find and work creatively and technically with other talented filmmakers on different projects. Its focus is to provide a fresh perspective on our rich heritage of narratives. With our different skills, we continue to push the boundaries of imagination with our curious knack of understanding the world around us.

Cell: +27 72 171 1616 (No roaming)Tel: +27 72 171 1616Email: [email protected]: http://1000-hugs.comAddress: PO Box 219319, Melville 2109

Meet Joe Food / p6

Personal Profile: Yolanda is a scriptwriter, director and co-owner of 1000 Hugs films. Her break into the industry was with the Afrikaans sitcom “Askies”,

which she co-created with fellow 1000 Hugs film director, Teboho Pietersen. After the sitcom came the teen lifestyle programme, “Meet Joe Food”, which was very well received. Current projects include writing feature films at lightening speed for local channels and pursuing the dream of making movies!

Yolanda was selected into the 5th Durban talent campus in 2012 and is currently in the Focus Features’ Africa First programme with her short film, “Hair that moves.”

Company Profile: 1000 Hugs is a company comprising of two passionate, African filmmakers who met after film school, collaborated on a successful sitcom and BOOM, a company was born. Having been born out of collaboration, the company

1000 HUGS FILMS

Yolanda Mogatusi

of motion picture projects; story (script) financing (raising finance & financial models) and packaging. Our development executives have a unique flare for story engineering and script consultation; comprehensive understanding of the markets and global regions, and can tailor each project for commercial success and critical acclaim.

Cell: +27 8204208283 (SMS only)Tel: +27 11 0248 773Email: [email protected]: http://www.diamondhillworld.co.zaAddress: Post Net suite 146, Private Bag x9, Melville, Johannesburg, South Africa. 2113

PRODUCTION PROFILESSouth African Indies Filmmaker Catalogue 2014 0413


school specialises in socially conscious documentary filmmaking and high concept drama productions. Big Fish students have won awards from China to Canada as well as having an 85% employment rate with production companies and international broadcasters such as Al Jazeera.

Cell: +27 71 309 3626 (SMS only)Tel: +27 11 482 5599Email: [email protected]: http://bigfish.org.zaAddress: 174 Fulham Road, Brixton, 2092

The Good Doctor / p10

Personal Profile: Zamo Mkhwanazi has written more than a hundred hours of aired television on over twenty-five television shows

including: Isidingo, The Lab, Jacob’s Cross, Society, The Mating Game and 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls. Her short film Philia has recently been screened at various film festivals including the United Nations Film Festival. She wrote on all three of the television shows nominated for SAFTA Best Writing Team Award in 2009. She has recently directed three films on the popular Mzansi Love series. She is currently directing on the sitcom Single Galz and is in postproduction for her next film: The Call, starring Fana Mokoena (World War Z).

Company Profile: Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking recognises talented unemployed, South African youths and trains them in audio visual skills. The

BIG FISH

Zamo Mkhwanazi

Sin Bin to Celebrity: The John Robbie story / p10

Personal Profile: Makganwana is an advertising and photography graduate and overall art aficionado who found a home in writing. She loves stories for the elegant

way in which they connect us all to our humanity. Her main life pursuit is to use creative expression to raise consciousness about how people become who they are. Her experience in screenwriting has fortified her vision of standing for an empowered Africa through which the media is a paradigm shifting tool. For the past 8 years, Makganwana has worked in production, written and directed for numerous television shows in South Africa and is currently-writing a feature film script.

Company Profile: Diamond Hill exists to Entertain and Inspire; we develop, package and produce African-born world class entertainment. The Vision: Shedding light on Life through Story. Our values are: development of african talent, mentorship, innovation and excellence through a pioneering culture. Diamond Hill focuses on the development

DIAMOND HILL

Makganwana Mokgalong


produced and delivered premium quality productions across multiple media channels including cinema, television and online platforms. These productions have attracted millions of viewers both locally and internationally and have developed a cult following of loyal fans.

Cell: +27 72 419 7804 (SMS only)Tel: +27 11 403 0399Email: [email protected]: http://www.diprentefilms.co.za/Address: PO Box 413904, Craighall, 2024, Gauteng, South Africa

Parts of a Whole / p7

Personal Profile: In 2009, John cofounded Diprente Films, a media company that specialises in the production of television, film and live

content. John Volmink has a background in investment banking. Previously employed by JP Morgan, he serves as the financial manager of the company. He plays a strategic role in development and sales for all projects.

Company Profile: Diprente, established in 2009, is a young, South African-based, production company that develops stimulating and engaging visual content across multiple platforms including feature films, television productions and live shows. The company specialises in sourcing finance, developing, packaging and producing content aimed at both the local and the international markets.

Diprente has successfully created,

DIPRENTE FILMS

John Volmink

Cell: +27 82 320 6060 (SMS only)Tel: +27 82 320 6060Email: [email protected]: www.davidkau.co.zaAddress: P.O Box 1978, Highlands North2037, JHB, Gauteng, South Africa

Sekwankwetla! Township Superhero / p11

Personal Profile: Stand Up Comedy, Actor. Comedy Talent Manager.Film & Television Producer, Writer, Director. Have created TV shows

and TV movies for Mnet Mzansi Magic (Taxi Ride, The Room Divider, Shampoo’s Retirement Village) and SABC (The Pure Monate Show) all available on my YouTube channel - www.youtube.com/MrDavidKau

Owns an online entertainment magazine www.Jucyafrica.com and a modeling agency www.ayanaafrica.com

Company Profile: Filming live stand up comedy shows (Blacks Only Comedy Show, I Did These Jokes 1st), David Kau’s House (reality comedy show), Taxi Ride (film and 5 part TV series), The Room Divider, Hoteleng (unreleased horror film). We’ve produced music videos for South African rapper/producer Amu, Dj Lulo Cafe & Dj Cuppucino. Film live music festivals.

DISADVANTAGEDBACKGROUND PRODUCTIONS

David Kau



production Samson and Banda was a self funded project and was picked up by local broadcaster Mzansi magic. Driven by passion we are determined to find innovative ways of telling breathtaking stories of our rich historical and cultural heritage.

Cell: +27 74 700 1030 (No roaming)Tel: +27 74 700 1030Email: [email protected]: http://www.insidejobmedia.co.zaAddress: P.O. Box 13570, Northmead1511, Johannesburg, South Africa

Firetown / p5

Personal Profile: Litha is a producer, casting director as well as an actor and runs a production company called Inside Job Media. Inside Job

Media specialises in creating films as well as corporate videos.

Litha has also been involved, as a casting director, for independent feature films like “Tokolosh” and “Behind the Picket Line”. He was also a production coordinator for Fox TV’s South African version of “The Walking Dead: Zombie global invasion campaign”.

Company Profile: Inside Job Media is a company that was formed by four individuals who have extensive experience in both the corporate as well as the film industry with the aim of telling authentic stories that will entertain our audience.

Although a young company we believe in taking the initiative and finding stories that will inspire people, our recent

INSIDE JOBMEDIA

Litha Booi

ordinary. This is not just another industry. An idea is not just another concept. A story is not just another movie. To us, this is not just another job... it’s a lifestyle. And loving every minute of it is the reason we’re a success story.

Cell: +27 82 892 6426 (calls)Tel: +27 21 424 2891Email: [email protected]: http://www.gambitfma.co.zaAddress: 3rd Floor, Earlgo Building, c/o Park & Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town, South Africa, 8001

Precious Metal / p9

Personal Profile: Bradley Joshua is Gambit’s Business Manager. With a focus on business development, Bradley is the force behind the

exponential growth of Gambit Films.Having spent the last five years in business

planning and development as well as marketing management within in a corporate environment, Bradley drives the vision, mission and strategy in order to continuously grow Gambit Films in the ever-changing marketplace.

Company Profile: Gambit Films was founded in 2009 when a group of passionate, qualified filmmakers formed a multimedia agency that focused on creating, developing and producing new and innovative intellectual property for Commercials, Film and Television. See, for us it’s about attention to detail... it’s about ideas, stories, art, imagination, flair, and passion. It’s about visuals, sound, beauty and life. But most importantly, it’s about going beyond the

GAMBIT FILMS

Bradley Joshua


Pelindaba / p8

Personal Profile: Producer Manase Duba has an Honours degree in Dramatic Arts with the University of Witwatersrand. He has co-

produced four Documentaries on various subjects as well as being an actor in over twenty stage plays in South Africa and the UK. It was his eight years’ experience in the film industry working for Ster Kinekor that he identified an opportunity due to low participation of black-owned production companies in a continuously growing South African film industry.

Company Profile: Kutaya Productions intends to create films for an international audience. It is dedicated in using film to contribute significantly in the unification and promotion of South African society. It will, to its best ability, ensure to keep the integrity and dignity of every person of South Africa upheld.

KUTAYA PRODUCTIONS

Manase Duba

The business intends to maximize the existing co-production treaties which South Africa has entered into with other countries.

Cell: +27 72 204 6444 (No roaming)Tel: +27 72 204 6444Email: [email protected]: PO Box 2656, Brits, 0252, South Africa

13 Hours / p4

KALAHARI PICTURES

Our unique mix of global perspective and local knowledge has contributed to some of Africa’s most successful productions, including global blockbusters, Oscar-nominated films and Emmy-winning TV series.

We have also serviced hundreds of international commercials.

Cell: +27 73 178-8211 (calls)Tel: +27 21 794-7585Email: [email protected]: http://www.kalaharipictures.co.zaAddress: PO Box 51005, Waterfront,Cape Town, 8002, South Africa

Personal Profile: Irfaan Fredericks is a feature-film, commercials and television producer with over 10 years of experience. Irfaan

is currently the Line Producer on the international TV series, SAF3, from the creators of Baywatch, staring Dolph Lundgren. He is also one of the producers of the upcoming feature film, 13 Hours. Irfaan also served as a shadow producer on Dredd 3D, a US$ 40-million feature film shot entirely in Cape Town. Dredd 3D was the first 3D feature film to shoot in South Africa. Irfaan has produced numerous television commercials and segments of various international TV series, such as Cosmos.

Company Profile: Founded by American Michael S. Murphey in South Africa in 2002, Kalahari Pictures is one of Africa’s leading production companies.Irfaan Fredericks



Cell: +27 82 663 8144 (SMS only)Tel: +27 82 663 8144 Email: [email protected]: www.mshiswamedia.comAddress: PO Box 2557, Bedfordview,2008

Trigger / p11

Personal Profile: Sizwe Mzolo is a film school graduate with a bachelors degree in Motion Picture Medium specialising in production.

He has been a practitioner in the film/ television business for nearly a decade, having been involved in various productions, producing content for television and film.

After identifying a gap in the African market he went on to skill himself in content exporting, which has now become an extension to his business model.

Company Profile: Mshiswa Media is a creative factory where creative solutions are designed and manufactured. We are in the business of storytelling as well as converting various forms of communication into motion pictures.

We are producers and exporters of content from Africa to the rest of the world. We also manage an African content library.

MSHISWA MEDIA

Sizwe Mzolo

Pop Lock 'n Roll / p8

Personal Profile: Mayenzeke Baza is a film and TV producer from Mandela Bay, South Africa. After studying engineering, he worked in a Cadburys

plant, then consulted for government agencies and finally discovered his passion for filmmaking. He made his first documentary film The Smuggler I Met in Cardiff, for Channel 4 (UK). Mayenzeke has worked alongside producers who have won many BAFTA and Emmy awards. Mayenzeke directed and produced documentaries, including Chieftaincy and Ndiyindoda for SABC and Al Jazeera.

Mayenzeke is a cofounder and director of International Relations at ATFT, championing the development of a more equitable industry. His work stretches innovation in both production, sales and distribution across South Africa, the continent, and the world.

Company Profile: Mandela Bay Pictures is a Film and TV production company, that

MANDELA BAY PICTURES

Mayenzeke Baza

produces documentary films, factual content and feature films. Mandela Bay Pictures has been around for more than eight years and has produced documentaries and short films for SABC and Al Jazeera.

Mandela Bay Pictures is currently in development of three International feature films, two documentary features and a factual crime and investigation series.

Cell: +27 83 263 9489 (SMS only)Tel: +27 83 263 9489Email: [email protected]: http://www.mandelabaypictures.comAddress: 24 Club One, Cromwell Road,Kamma Park


Services include Multimedia Content Production (Film, TV, online, DVD, radio and print), Research and concept development, Scriptwriting and Creative direction, Producing Corporate and Training Videos and CSR Profiles, Producing and Directing Documentary, and Feature films and Television Series.

Cell: +27 73 912 0829 (SMS only)Tel: +27 73 912 0829 Email: [email protected]: 11 Sharp St, Bellevue, 2198

Dinuzulu's Exile / p5

Personal Profile: Khubu Zulu is an international award winning film-maker having won the Australian International Documentary

Competition for the treatment of her film, Down Rockey Street. The Dinuzulu Trilogy of films will be her first drama features and is based on the life of her great-grandfather. Khubu has worked as writer, director and producer in South Africa, directing one of South Africa’s leading soaps, Isidingo, and many documentaries and reality shows.

Company Profile: Sakhuri Multimedia is a full-service production company that was established in 1997. The company develops and produces original content for clients in the broadcasting and creative industries sectors and also offers brand communications and marketing products for clients in the corporate, public and private sectors.

SAKHURI MULTIMEDIA

Khubu Zulu

and The Russian we are producing under our new brand SEISMIC, a multiplatform content creation, production and digital distribution platform for compelling and excellent African content with international appeal. We are also looking to acquire unique scripted and non-scripted formats, and films with a distinct African footprint, seeking equity investors and co-production deals with South African producers.

Cell: +27 72 030 1804 (SMS only)Tel: +27 72 030 1804 Email: [email protected]: http://www.rzalutionary.comAddress: PO Box 23648, Claremont, 7735Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Marikana: A Tale of Invisible Women / P6

Personal Profile: Mariza Matshaya is a South African documentary director and creative producer for factual, entertainment, television and film

properties. With over a decade of experience, Mariza has honed her skills at South Africa’s leading production companies and is currently in pre-production with her directorial debut Marikana: A Tale of Invisible Women. She is also the lead producer of film The Relic Coven and seeking co-production partners for this Mystery Detective. Mariza enjoys support from the National Film and Video Foundation and other government stakeholders.

Company Profile: Rzalutionary Filmworks is currently working on a documentary feature film Marikana: A Tale Of Invisible Women. Our current objective is to attract co-production partners, pre-sales and distribution opportunities with national and international partners for our properties and two feature films The Relic Coven

RZALUTIONARY FILMWORKS

Mariza Matshaya

PRODUCTION PROFILES South African Indies Filmmaker Catalogue 2014 0419


and has since inception in 2009 been very strong in film production. Situated in the Capital City of South, Sukuma Media serves both the public and private sector. In 2010, Sukuma Media was commissioned by Mnet South Africa to produce the movie “48”.

Cell: +27 79 848 4087 (No roaming)Tel: +27 12 343 2907Email: [email protected]: http://www.sukumamedia.co.zaAddress: PO Box 30344, Sunnyside 0132, Pretoria, South Africa

Safe Bet / p9

Personal Profile: Bonginhlanhla Ncube is an award winning producer. He was awarded Best Producing in 2010 by the International 48 HFP

competition for the film “Wrong Call”. His 2011 blockbuster, 48, premiered in Hollywood at the Pan African Film Festival (2012). It won at the 2012 Honolulu Film Awards and later received three nominations at the 2012 Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly branded as the “Oscars” of Africa.

Bonginhlanhla has recently shot his second film, Safe Bet which features top SA talent. He was trained by Peter Marshall (The Butterfly Effect, Legends of the Fall, Shattered, Happy Gilmore). Bonginhlanhla serves on the board of SAFTEC.

Company Profile: Sukuma Media is a production company based in South Africa. The company specialises in Corporate Videography and Photography services

SUKUMA MEDIA

Bonginhlanhla Ncube

New York/New Brighton / p7

Personal Profile: Shelley Barry is a multi award winning filmmaker. Her films span across genres and are largely experimental in style. She often

shoots her own films, exploring the aesthetics of cinematography from the perspective of a wheelchair user. Screenings of her work have been held at major festivals and events around the world and been acquired by television, including MTV, DUTV and WYBE in the U.S and SABC and etv in South Africa. New York University is one of the international libraries that have purchased her work.

She runs twospinningwheels productions in Nelson Mandela Bay and Cape Town.

Company Profile: twospinningwheels productions is a production company that aims to explore new languages in cinema and marginalized voices having access to the craft of filmmaking. It is a company dedicated to making the stories visible that the mainstream renders invisible. The

TWOSPINNINGWHEELS PRODUCTIONS

Shelley Barry

company achieves this by training people in video who will most likely not see their stories on the screen: people with disabilities, the LGBTQI sector, abused women living in shelters, those living in poverty, children and elders. twospinningwheels productions also produces local documentaries and short fiction. The films were also featured in the African Film Festival in New York in a programme on New Directions in African Cinema.

Cell: +27 83 523 7373 (No roaming)Tel: +27 21 447 9512Email: [email protected]: http://www.youtube.com/twospinningwheelsAddress: 302 Crimson Square, Fairview Avenue,Woodstock, 7925, Cape Town

SOUTH AFRICAN


Documents

South African Indies - Filmmaker Catalogue 2014