The Industry Programme is one of the key highlights of the festival which presents a robust programme of panel discussions, talks and masterclasses. This rich and diverse programme is a powerful knowledge sharing and networking platform that enables industry practitioners and professionals to share ideas, discuss key trends and engage on a range of pertinent issues impacting the film and television industry. Facilitated and presented by knowledgeable local and international speakers, the three-day programme is an integral aspect of the festival that not only promotes critical conversations around the industry but is the building block of our stories.
Joburg Film Festival Industry Programme
Date | Time | Venue | Topic | Description |
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Day 1 Wednesday 28 February 2024 |
10:00 - 11:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | SHOWMAX SHOWCASE | After receiving 296 submissions from first-time directors from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, Showmax shares an update on the films currently in development. Find out more about the selection process, mentorship opportunities, and what it takes to make a movie for Showmax. |
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12:00 - 13:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES | The panel offers an insight on funding opportunities that are available in South Africa, as well as co-producing opportunities with countries that SA has treaties. |
13:30 - 14:00 | LUNCH | |||
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14:00 - 15:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | MASTERCLASS: MALIK YOBA | |
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16:00 - 17:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | PROJECT PACKAGING FOR FINANCE | Project Packaging for Film Finance - What are the elements that make for a bankable film project? |
Date | Time | Venue | Topic | Description |
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Day 2 Thursday 29 February 2024 |
10:00 - 11:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | NFVF Audience Research and Marketing and Distribution Panel | |
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12:00 - 13:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | Adaptions / Remakes and Spin-Offs | Talk to some of the most successful TV adaptations that have graced our screens. Producers of The Wife and Fatal Adaptations share their thoughts on what made these particular offerings successful |
13:30 - 14:00 | LUNCH | |||
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14:00 - 15:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | MASTERCLASS: Richard Green Prof Keyan Tomaselli | FORGING A CREATIVE NEW DIRECTION: Discussion about the book “Richard Green in South African Film” written by Richard Green and Prof Tomaselli . The book charts RG’s Journey as Producer of M-Net’s New Directions this journey, that saw the emergence of some of SA film talent today. |
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16:00 - 17:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | Burn Out and Mental Health in the film and TV Industry | An in depth discussion on the state of mental health in the creative industry. |
Date | Time | Venue | Topic | Description |
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Day 3 Friday 01 March 2024 |
10:00 - 11:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | WOMEN IN FILM AND TV - EMPOWERING Conversation with Female Creatives in the SA TV and Film landscape | Dive into this empowering session as we explore the future of women in film and TV. Moderated by Showrunner/Story expert Mmabatho Kau this discussion features influential female voices shaping the industry. |
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12:00 - 13:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | CELEBRATING LEGENDS IN THE INDUSTRY | Television has been a powerful medium that has entertained, informed, and inspired audiences for decades. Throughout the history of television, there have been numerous legends who have left an indelible mark on the industry with their talent, creativity, and contributions. These legends have not only shaped the landscape of television but have also influenced popular culture and society as a whole. This year we celebrate men and women wh have inspired audiences for decades |
13:30 - 14:00 | LUNCH | |||
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14:00 - 15:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | MASTERCLASS: MELANIE CLARK | In Conversation with Melanie Clark |
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16:00–17:30 | SANDTON CONVENTION CENTRE | SWIFT Conversation | Women in Crew: This conversation shines a spotlight on women working behind the scenes, particularly in the camera department, a department that is usually male dominated. We shine a spotlight on their success and how they navigate challenges. |
Speakers
Sanele Shibe
Currently the Senior Manager: Scripted Content - Movies at Multichoice Content Hub, Sanele has over 11 years of experience in the media industry. His career at Multichoice started when he joined as a Platform Content Intern in May, 2014. From there he worked as a Content Coordinator, Junior Commissioning Editor and Commissioning Editor before his current role. His qualifications include a Postgraduate Diploma in General Management from GIBS, a BA Honours in Audiovisual Communication from the University of Johannesburg and a Higher Certificate in Management Practice from Henley Business School.
Kgosana Monchusi
Kgosana Monchusi, a creative talent from Soweto, embarked on his entertainment career during high school with performances at talent shows, which led him to pursue Music at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2006, where he developed a keen interest in film composition. After earning his Bachelor of Music (Honours) in 2010, he ventured into the TV industry as an audio engineer, expanding his skills in editing, filming, and directing through various productions. In 2013, he co-founded Weldun Media, focusing on high-level African productions for global audiences, and directed numerous successful projects including BET Buzz and other TV shows. Kgosana's filmmaking journey peaked with his debut short film 'Opus' winning awards, and he continued to make significant strides with projects like 'A Safe Bet' and the acclaimed web-series 'Four Walls'. Currently, he is preparing to release 'Support', a satirical comedy addressing actors' industry challenges, alongside several pre-production projects as a producer.
Wikus duToit
Currently serves as the Senior Manager: Scripted Content at Multichoice, overseeing the production of films, dramas, and comedies, as well as international co-productions, including series such as Spinners, Catch Me A Killer, Devil's Peak, and Reyka. He holds a Master's degree in Drama, as well as a postgraduate Diploma in Tertiary Education and a second Master's degree in Education, focusing specifically on promoting critical thinking and facilitating creativity in Film, TV, and Drama students. In addition, he is an executive producer of over 15 films, including Toorbos, Barakat, Gaia, Fiela se Kind, and Griekwastad.
Cheryl Uys-Alli
Former Execu+ve Producer at Mul+Choice Group. MBA (Univ. Cape Town). Fellow Emerging Leadership Programme (UCT / Duke Univ). Fluent in Portuguese and French. Africa Director for the Mul+Choice Talent Factory (MTF) Film Academies (Nigeria, Kenya, Zambia). The role included gradua+ng 180 full +me students across 4 years from 14 countries, delivering nine student feature film produc+ons and 16 short films for the ‘Colours of Africa’ series for broadcast on MNET local channels and screening on Showmax.
Lidudumalingani Sikupela
Lidudumalingani is an award winning writer, photographer and filmmaker. He was raised in Zikhovane village in the Eastern Cape. He currently works in Johannesburg as a Commissioning Editor at Multichoice.
In 2016, he was awarded the Caine Prize for African writing, for his short story ‘Memories we lost’. The prize, awarded in Oxford, England, is the most prestigious prize for short story writing.
Nthabeleng Mphora – GFC
I am an Intermediary in the Creative Industry. Project Manager in Skills Training and Audience development at the Gauteng film Commission for over 16 years. Accomplished studies in Corporate Governance and risk management, Diploma in Project management, Advanced Diploma in Business administration, Post Graduate diploma in Business Administration and
Master’s degree in business administration, Film Distribution. Currently studying second Master’s in fine arts at AFDA. A member of Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA) a body that influence, develop, and advance corporate governance and directorship by pursuing ethical and effective leadership in South Africa.
Onke Dumeko – NFVF
As a seasoned private and public sector professional, Onke Dumeko is a multipotentialite Corporate Affairs executive, Operations executive and Keynote Speaker. As with extensive work experience spanning across diverse yet complimentary disciplines and industries such as fmcg, commercial and luxury retail, media, publishing, content (film & tv) production and the public sector. This has culminated in a diverse skills-set which is pitched to provide unmatched organisational value.
Khayelihle Sibiya – NEF
Khayelihle Sibiya
- Qualified Chartered Accountant and a member of SAICA
- Honours Degree (Accountancy) from UJ
- Holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from WITS Business School
- 17 years in Development Finance
- Investment Principal at NEF (uMnotho Fund)
Kagisho Bapela – IDC
Kagisho Bapela is a Chartered Accountant with solid experience in business and finance. Kagisho is a Senior Deal Maker at the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa, and his responsibilities include crafting strategy for film and television finance, sourcing transactions for consideration by the Corporation, and conducting due diligence reviews on potential projects.
Mayenzeke Baza – Moderator
Mayenzeke Baza left a successful career in engineering and property management to produce, and more recently distribute and finance, local and international films for the past 15 years. He co-founded AAA Entertainment in 2014 and is the current CEO and Head of Distribution and Financing. Mayenzeke serves as an advisor to several organisations, key decision makers and stakeholders, and served on the boards of the DFA, ATFT (co-founded), IBFC and SASFED
Melanie Clark
Melanie N. Clark is a creative entrepreneur, who has worked at the intersection of art and commerce for over 20 years.
Her work as an entrepreneur includes fashion design, concert and event production, tour management (for musicians), brand and business development for small companies, and project management.
Melanie is most well known for the successful clothing line, Melanie Nicole, that she ran for 14 years. The MelanieNicole collection began in 2002 in Chicago, with a local clientele and design studio and quickly expanded to an international clientele and two showrooms in Chicago, dressing most notably, celebrities Oprah Winfrey and Jennifer Hudson.
Malik Yoba
Although this Hollywood veteran offers over three decades of commitment to the arts with over fifty film credits and more than a dozen lead roles in network/cable television series, he considers himself a community and youth advocate first.
Born in the South Bronx and raised in Harlem, it was his debut in the Disney classic Cool Runnings and his performance as NYPD Detective J.C. Williams in the groundbreaking police drama, New York Undercover, that catapulted Malik into the
fabric of American culture.
A serial entrepreneur, the emerging real estate developer has projects in NYC and Baltimore and is currently in post- production for his educational docu-series, The Real Estate Mixtape, Volume 1: I Build NY. The series follows Malik and a cohort of youth as he navigates is first commercial real estate deal in NYC. In 2022, Malik received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Livingstone University and has been offered the role of Honorary Chair of the School of Construction
at Pratt University.
Penny Lebyane – Moderator
Penny has become a multi-levelled media practitioner, with over 20 years’ experience in both Radio and Television. Her career started at community radio station - The Voice of Soweto. Penny hosted ETV's Sunrise, and Women’s Talk Show called Motswako on SABC2 for 5 seasons amongst other things.
Career highlight was an exclusive interview on international news network; Aljazeera about the impact Oprah Winfrey had on African Women and their Development. The network identified Lebyane as a Voice for African Women.
Jacinta De Noberga
Jacintha de Nobrega is one of South Africa’s leading female producers and an alumnus of the Los Angeles Film School. de Nobrega founded Arclight Productions, a film and television production company based in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Her debut film went on to win the coveted Best Film and Best Director awards (The Simon Mabhunu Sabela Award) in July 2019. She produced the SAFTA-nominated Durban Beach Rescue 2 for The Travel Channel and her recent feature Lottery Love a romantic comedy set in KwaMashu, KwaZulu Natal is set for release in 2024. De Nobrega’s latest international co-production feature documentary London Recruits will be the opening film for the Joburg Film Festival 2024.
Cathrine Meyburgh
I have been working in Film, opera, theatre, projection design & Video art installation for more than 30 years. I love the collaboration with other film makers when I edit their films and love the process of telling stories as director/editor. I have worked with artists, William Kentridge, Gerhard Marx, Handspring Puppet Company, Willem Boshoff, Georgia Papageorge, Leora Farber, including exhibitions at MOMA New York and San Francisco, The Standard Bank Gallery, The Goodman Gallery, The Tate Modern in London amongst many others.
Specialties: Editor of Feature films, TV series, Documentary, Projection designer for opera, theatre and art installations.
I have worked with The Bomb Shelter, Love life, Quizzical/Curious pictures, Luna films, On Land productions, Cinga productions, Fireworx media, Little Bird productions. I have worked as a director of documentary - with Breathe Films, Pulp films, Goodman Gallery, Panorama Films, Clive Morris productions.
Multi projection design and compositing - Worked on multi-media operas: 'The Head & The Load,' 'Wozzeck', 'Lulu', "The Magic Flute", "The Nose", "Ulisse", "Zeno at 4am", Theatre: 'Ubu and the Truth Commission', (Market theatre, Metropolitan opera New York, La Scala in Milan, Aix en Provence festival, BAM, amongst many others). I have also been brought in as guest lecturer at Yale, UJ, AFDA, Big Fish, Newton Film School, UCT and Wits.
Clementine Mosimane
Clementine Mosimane is a renowned actress and TV personality from who was born and raised in Soweto, South Africa. She has graced the TV screens for over twenty years and has featured in over 50 films. She is credited to have kicked off her
acting career in 1991 and has gone non-stop since then.
She is known to be one of the first black South African female actors. While she was busy and being featured as an actress in many films and television shows. Mosimane has done some work behind the scenes as a director and producer. She is known for portraying Thandi Mazwai in the popular drama series “Soul City”. The show ran from 1994 - 2003. Her perfect portrayal of the character gained praise from the viewers. She also earned much praise for playing Mama Rose Tladi in “The Wild”, Ruth Gumede in “Gold Diggers" and more.
Connie Chiume
Connie Chiume is an award winning South African actress. She has been in the industry for over forty-five (45) years and has won multiple awards. Her proudest moment in her career was getting casted on the International Film, Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther 2
Film Experience
- The Air up there (1994)
- Chicken Biznis (1999)
- I dreamed of Africa (2000)
- Country of my Skull (2004)
- Fanie Fourie se lobola (2013)
- Black Panther (2018)
- Blessers (2019)
- Losing Lerato (2019)
- Seriously Single (2020)– Netflix
- Courting Anathi (2020)
- Black is King (2020)
- Queen Sono (2020) - Nextfilx
- Umama (2021)
- Black Panther 2 (2022)
Naledy Selepe
Naledy Selepe, a 23-year-old Cinematographer and an Outside Broadcast Camera Operator, originally hails from Polokwane, Limpopo, but now resides in Johannesburg. With a passion for visual storytelling deeply rooted in capturing both the essence of film and the excitement of live sports, Naledy has dedicated two years to honing their craft in the dynamic world of film and sports TV. Through her innovative approach and commitment to excellence, Naledy has made significant contributions to the sports broadcast industry, earning recognition and accolades, including a prestigious award for outstanding camera operation. Her journey serves as a testament to the power of passion, dedication, and talent in shaping a successful career in media production.
Corine Smith
For the past decade Corine Spurr has been working as an industry professional for a company supplying specialist technical services for post-production, handling various aspects of post-production work with finesse and technical acumen.
The pivot to becoming a Digital Imaging Technician came in 2018 when a production, in need of a DIT, sought assistance from the technical post-production company Corine is working for. Recognizing her technical expertise and problem-solving skills, her partner, a trusted collaborator, recommended her for the role. Recognizing the underrepresentation of women in technical roles, she actively works towards creating a supportive and inclusive environment where female DIT professionals can thrive.
Maganthrie Pillay
Maganthrie has worked across television, features, film festivals, and film training often collaborating with producer Dingi Ntuli in their film production company Masala Film Works. She became the first black to direct a feature film in South Africa, 34 South in 2005 (Premiered at Pan African Film Festival in LA). She has worked as Episode Director and Production and Post Production Supervisor on the acclaimed reality show Imagine Afrika. She was a senior content producer on Rise - Talk Show Hosted by Kgomotso Matsunyane and Lebo Ramofoko on SABC1. Maganthrie has directed over 40 documentaries for television, UN agencies, and other organizations, she directed her second feature in the USA, Austin Texas. One of her passions has been working to get films to local audiences. She loves Breaking it down and teaching film to different constituencies.
Mmabatho Montsho
Mmabatho Montsho is a Johannesburg based writer, director, producer and visual artist. She has an MA in Script and Screenwriting from Falmouth University. Her film and television projects champion the black feminine experience. Among her notable films are the critically acclaimed web series Women on Sex; SAFTA nominated short film Joko Ya Hao; Desmond’s Not Here Anymore (winner of Best Short Film for Change, Paris International Film Festival 2022) and The Award Ceremony (winner of Best Short Film, Worldwide Women’s Film Festival 2020). Montsho is a joint recipient of the Mbokodo Award for filmmaking (2016), and a South African Film & Television Awards for Best Achievement in Writing a TV Drama (2019), as well her culturally impactful solo fine art exhibition Manyano (2018). Passionate about the future of story, Montsho mentors emerging writers in script development.
Wendy Bednarz
Wendy Bednarz’s career began in NYC’s fashion industry, working for Stephen Sprouse in the old Andy Warhol Factory. There she developed a taste for the offbeat and a love of both still and moving images.
Today, Wendy’s work engages multicultural narratives. She crosses-over between storytelling forms, film, photography and video installations. Her work screened and exhibited at venues worldwide, including New York MoMA, Montreal World Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and Venice Film Festival, garnering awards such as Cine Golden Eagle and Independent Film Award. She initiated Syrian Children’s Storybook (2019), traveling to Turkey where she worked with refugees to write/illustrate their own stories.
Wendy’s wrote/directed the featurette documentary “Burning Money” (2018) and several award narrative shorts including “Leaving Gussie”(2007), “On Crystal” (2010) and “Aurora” (2000.) “ Yellow Bus” is Wendy’s debut fiction feature.
Lufuno Lefowa
I am Lufuno Lefowa. I possess a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dramatic Arts from Wits University and a Master of Arts degree in Communication Science from Unisa, and I am currently pursuing a PhD at Unisa.
I hold the position of Senior Manager of Scripted Content for Telenovelas at Multichoice, overseeing strategic editorial direction for Mzansi Magic and Showmax. Having accumulated 15 years of substantial experience in the field of Television I began my television career at SABC in 2008 as an intern. By 2014, I had advanced to the role of Commissioning Editor, where I was responsible for overseeing the production of award-winning shows such as Uzalo, 7de Laan, Muvhango, and various other dramas.
Shirley Adonisi
Shirley Adonisi – A Testament to Passion, Integrity, and Perseverance
In the ever-evolving world of television and media, few figures stand out with the clarity and dedication exhibited by Shirley Adonisi. Her two-decade-long voyage in this industry, marked by determination and ceaseless learning, makes her a compelling figure of respect and aspiration.
Shirley's story began in 2002, taking her first strides into the industry as a Production Manager. Her exceptional drive and passion soon elevated her to various esteemed roles as a Producer and a Commissioning Editor at the SABC. Each position she took on, Shirley exhibited a firm commitment to excellence, cementing her reputation as a force to be reckoned with.
Sheli Masondo
Sheli Masondo is a highly acclaimed film stylist and costume designer known for her contributions to various films and theatre productions. With a career spanning over decades, Sheli has brought characters to life and helped directors realise their visions through her meticulous attention to detail and creative flair. Her impressive portfolio includes projects such as Black Is King: A Film By Beyonce, Tjovitjo, Trackers, How to Ruin Christmas, Snowfall and recently Shaka Ilembe. Sheli's unique talent and passion for storytelling have established her as a respected figure in the industry.