Discover Top Non-Fiction Film Directors in Cape Town, South Africa

Chris is a filmmaker focused on documentaries, online-based short format storytelling, compelling music videos. His video art work has been exhibited at the Tate Modern and his music videos as Director and DOP has been on display at London’s Museum of Design and Dublin Museum of Modern Art Chris clients include Spotify (short doc exploring Amapiano's homage to Kwaito), Boiler Room UK (directing and editing a multipart cross-continental collaboration celebrating African and diaspora cultures in music, and dance and narrative), Red Bull Media (Directing, DOP and editing a feature documentary tracing the indigenous roots of Cape Towns Hip Hop movement), Euronews, OkayAfrica, Hypebeast, NTS and Vox amongst others. Chris worked as the Director of Photography and Editor on the award-winning feature documentary Not in my Neighbourhood looking at issues of gentrifications across three continents. He is the creative director of Kamva Collective, a creative studio and production house focused on outsider narratives and alternative trajectories.

• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Production Company
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Commercial DP
• Field Producer

I'm a Cape-Town based filmmaker and photographer, with over twelve years experience as a free-lancer. My endless curiosity drives my motivation of capturing the essence of the many incredible humans we have in this world, whether it be through portraiture, or documentary films. No matter what the subject matter, I combine thoughtful visuals with a carefully paced editing technique, accentuating the turning points within the narrative structure for maximum emotional connection. My favorite field is documentary and brand documentaries, and since graduating from film school with the Best Cinematography award in 2013, I've worked internationally and abroad for many high-end clients. On request, I have a talented production team readily available to take your vision from concept development all the way to the final post-production. Client list: Air BNB, Renault, Corona, Beast Philanthropy, Vans, Breitling,Jeep, Surfer Magazine,South African Tourism, Glenfiddich

• Documentary DP
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Portrait Photographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Digital Content Creator
• Reporter / Journalist
• Senior Editor

Jo Munnik (she/her) is a South African documentary filmmaker and journalist whose two-decade career has spanned the breadth of Africa; from 33 degrees South to 33 North, and a lot of East and West in between. Jo produces and directs stories for video, digital, stills and podcasts across a wide range of topics with a strong focus on the environment, social change and human interest. Her work has been featured by prestigious platforms including CNN, BBC, Vice News, NBC, Love Nature, UNDP, The Encounters Documentary Film Festival, and The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organised Crime. She also runs a full-service production company that specialises in visually engaging long- and short-form films, with a strong reputation for creating content from across Africa that resonates with audiences worldwide.

• Field Producer
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Reporter / Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Content Strategist
• Sound Mixer

Thabani Makanza, a celebrated award-winning Filmmaker and Communications Art Director from Namibia, is known for his remarkable storytelling prowess. His extensive and diverse portfolio encompasses acclaimed short films, compelling campaigns, international music videos, films, series, and commercials. Renowned for his visionary storytelling and unwavering commitment to excellence, Makanza consistently captivates audiences with his distinctive narrative flair and creative prowess, making him a standout talent in the world of media and entertainment.

• Senior Editor
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Copywriter
• Copy Editor
• Graphic Designer

I work as a freelance multimedia journalist in Cape Town, South Africa since 2012. I research, produce and edit reports for TV and online platforms (I shoot with a C100 MKII) and work as a producer/director for longer reports and documentaries. Prior to moving to South Africa I worked as a producer at "Bilderfest", a production house in Munich, Germany and at "Cinecentrum" in Hamburg. In 2007 I graduated from Hamburg University with a masters degree in Political and Middle Eastern Sciences.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Fixer
• Reporter / Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Field Producer
• Non-Fiction Film Director

With over 15 years of experience in the film industry, Twelve Eleven Studios has created a vast range of work ranging from Game Trailers with Millions of YouTube Views to Web Series with 100+ Episodes ... Commercials Broadcast on Television during the Soccer World Cup, Fashion films displayed in 300+ Stores and now 3D Animated Films visualising the future for Brands.

• Animator / Visual Effects Artist
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Creative Director
• Colorist
• Senior Editor
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Company
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - Documentary

Gianluigi Guercia is a photographer and video maker based in South Africa. He has been working on the African Continent since 2003. His work has been published and exhibited widely. Born in Naples, he moved first to Rome and then from 2003 to Africa where for more than a decade he has practiced documentary photography, working mainly for News Agencies and International publications. From 2005 to 2020 he was a staff photographer and then Southern Africa manager for Agence France-Presse. He covered extensively the Arab Spring from 2011 to 2013. His photographs have been used in books and have been part of exhibition worldwide. He obtained a Three Years master degree in Photography at the ISFCI (Istituto Superiore di Fotografia e comunicazione integrate) in Rome. He has a bachelor’s degree in Political Sciences obtained at Federico II University in Naples. From 2019 onward he is focused on pursuing his personal narrative, mainly focused on the human condition. Between 2012 and 2013, he completed an essay on Cairo where together with Tripoli, lived for 2 years. In 2020, two of his projects have been shortlisted for the 9th contemporary African Photography Prize.

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - News
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Event Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Drone Operator

Sara Gouveia is an award winning filmmaker. She has worked as a writer, director and cinematographer in feature and short documentaries, commercials, international campaigns and music videos. Sara’s mid-length documentary “Mama Goema: the Cape Town Beat In Five Movements” won the award for Best SA Documentary at the TriContinental Film Festival 2011 and was broadcast on SABC. Sara’s first feature length documentary "The Sound of Masks", set in Mozambique, had its World Premiere at IDFA 2018 and was officially selected for the Marrakech International Film Festival 2018, Hot Docs 2019, New York African Film Festival 2019, the Durban International Film Festival and DocLisboa 2019, amongst others. The film received the award for Best Feature Documentary at the Plateau International Film Festival 2019 as well as the 14th SAFTA Golden Horn Award for Best Cinematography as well as SAFTA nominations for Best Feature Documentary and Best Editing in 2020. The film is currently available on Showmax. Sara directed the documentary “Mother to Mother”, produced by The Ergo Company and Seashore Films, which premiered at the 2020 Encounters SA International Documentary Film Festival, where it was described as “an engaging and thought-provoking work of cinema that expands our collective humanity” . The film was awarded second place in the Adiaha Award for best documentary film and is currently available on Showmax.

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - News
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Company
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Production Coordinator / Crewing

Charlie Luckock is an award-winning documentary filmmaker who works on a freelance basis. Charlie has produced and directed films for numerous international broadcasters including National Geographic, the Discovery Channel, Smithsonian Earth, Love Nature and CGTN. After receiving a Bachelor of Science in Zoology Charlie moved to the documentary hub of Bristol. Over 5 years he honed his skills under the guidance of some of the best producers, directors and execs in the industry. In 2015 Charlie’s time in Bristol culminated with him producing and directing WILD INDONESIA for National Geographic. In 2017 Charlie directed his first feature documentary NIGERIA’S LOST GENERATION, which premiered internationally on CGTN and won the Best International Documentary award at Jozi Film Festival. Charlie went on to direct FAR FROM HOME, winning the Outstanding Documentary award at the Abuja International Film Festival. In 2019 Charlie directed OUR OCEANS, a feature documentary exploring the industrial threats facing the South African coastline. The film has been screened around the world and continues to spread awareness about the conditions of our oceans. Charlie has just finished his latest film THE EDGE OF EXISTENCE – a feature documentary on human-wildlife conflict. The film is currently on a worldwide festival tour and has recently won the Best Humans & Nature Film at the Wildlife Conservation Film Festival in New York.

• Production Company
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Production Coordinator / Crewing
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Creative Director
• Fixer
• Field Producer
• Executive Producer
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial

Anton started his career in 2013 as a freelance photojournalist and documentary photographer but found himself increasingly drawn toward the moving image. After some time spent assisting on film sets, as well as filming projects of his own, he began working as a cinematographer. His current filmography consists of documentaries, narrative films, commercials, music videos and experimental work. Some career highlights include filming and co-directing the short film 'KATVIS' (2022), which was nominated for Best Short Film at the 17th annual South African Film and Television Awards, as well as serving as Director of Photography on the feature film Klip Anker Baai (2023), which is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Anton is always focused on honing his skills as a director and cinematographer of both fiction and non-fiction film, with a particular interest in the area where the two overlap. His background informs a sensitive and unique visual perspective; a keen awareness of light and shadow and a quiet empathy with the many faces of the human condition.

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Field Producer

I am a South African filmmaker with a background in editing. Often shooting alone, I have worked in a number of Southern and East African countries. Environmental and social issues are close to my heart and I am passionate about telling stories. I love to travel and engage with situations that are challenging and take me out of my comfort zone. I completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Cape Town before starting my career in film as an editor. I have since made short documentary films for both South African and international non-profit organisations, like Harambee, The Egmont Trust (UK), Habitat for Humanity and Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya and Lesotho. I have made a full-length documentary film, "Daddy's Girl", which was shown at Encounters film festival and I am in the process of producing and co-directing a documentary film called "Nighthunter" for the BBC. After extensive research, which I conducted myself, we started shooting in 2022. I have also expanded my interests beyond the documentary filmmaking arena. I spent ten years volunteering as a crisis counsellor at Life Line. I am also currently writing my first feature-length screenplay. Based on a true story, the script, called "Deadly Force", is in its final draft.

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Senior Editor
• Documentary DP

PRODUCER PROFILE Jac Williams completed his studies in film in 2005 where after he freelanced on big budget commercials and mini series, working as behind-the-scenes cameraman and chaperone. He joined MMAP in 2008. He has directed and produced numerous documentaries, corporate videos and educational and marketing audio-visuals. In 2012 Jac has worked as both producer and director on “It’s Africa’s Time”, one of CNBC Africa’s flagship documentary series. The show documents socio-economic upliftment and sustainable development through inclusive business in Africa. Jac wrapped Ferdinand van Zyl’s military drama feature film, The Recce, (2016) & Harold Holscher’s Eight (The Soul Collector in the States) in 2018. Released in the USA in 2020. The Recce was selected at 7 International film festivals in the past year and was nominated with DOP Jacques van Tonder for debut feature film cinematography at Camerimage (2018) in Poland. The Recce won best foreign feature film at Idyllwild International Film Festival in California (2019) and was awarded a Silver Remi award at the 52th Annual Worldfest in Houston (2019). Eight had a World Premiere in Montreal at Fantasia International Film Festival and is currently being distributed in 9 World Territories including the USA, Germany and Russia and on Netflix for Africa. He wrapped & co-produced Agulhas Shortfilm in Arniston for Jacques Naude in 2017 and produced Juweeldiewe (2014), Jan Umkwetha (2015) & Benjamin (2018) shortfilms for the Silwerskerm Festival in South Africa. Jac also co-produced two game shows for the legendary TV Game- show brand Atari in 2017 named “Player Up” & “Codebreaker”. Jac produced a 10 episode reality show in 2019 called “Model”, currently showing on Showmax and SABC2 and in development of a few feature films.

• Production Company
• Documentary DP
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Series Producer / Show Runner
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Creative Director
• Field Producer
• Fixer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Executive Producer
• Corporate Videographer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist

I'm a filmmaker based in Cape Town and I love what I do. Having spent many years working as a creative in the advertising industry, I feel I bring brand understanding and creative direction to each project. Before settling in Cape Town, I spent many years traveling the globe and capturing my experiences, all through a cinematic lens. Working with international clients while developing my skillset and own filmmaking style. I met new people and experienced many new cultures, inspiring my storytelling process. I then went on to explore more fictional, narrative based pieces and really enjoy the performance aspect of directing, whether it be for commercials, music videos or branded content. I'm passionate about writing, directing, shooting and editing with the ultimate goal of making captivating & memorable films for your brand.

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Copywriter

Like flotsam and jetsam Erol has spent much his his life adrift. Hailing from a long family of mariners the oceans and ocean lore have been a constant in his life from an early age. Over the years he has built up a career that has embraced his passion for the seas, encompassing marine science, remote technology, manned submersibles and technical diving. More recently he has merged his love for the oceans and ocean people with his joy in visual story telling, making films that focus on social justice and environmental issues. Erol has been privileged to see a fraction of what the oceans have to offer. He hopes that by bringing this to a wider audience we can create a deeper understanding and respect of some of our planet’s most majestic and least understood wilderness areas.

• Drone Operator
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Fixer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Production Company
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - Documentary

Obtained her bachelor’s degree in Film Producing from AFDA in 2006. Awarded the prestigious Fulbright scholarship in 2016, where she obtained her MFA in Film from Syracuse University, graduate of 2019. Between 2006 and 2022 she has worked as a Production Manager, Assistant Director and Production Coordinator in Cape Town’s fast growing service industry which has led to working on notable international productions One Piece (2022), Raised by Wolves S3 (2021) amongst many other productions. Hlumela has directed, shot and produced several short films selected and screened at various international film festivals including the prestigious Edinburgh Short Film Festival and the New York African Film Festival. Resume available on request.

• Creative Director
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Documentary DP

Pretty Neat is a fiercely independent Cape Town based production company committed entirely to creating content that moves people. We pride ourselves on the ability to take a brief and run with it from the ground up. From copywriting to high-quality film and post-production services to brands, agencies and broadcasters. The great thing about working with us is that we create unique synergies between production and post-production to make budgets work harder for our clients. We think that’s Pretty Neat.

• Production Company
• Post-Production Manager
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Copywriter
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Sound Designer
• Music Composer
• Animator / Visual Effects Artist
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Colorist

An experienced lighting cameraman with own gear, as well as editing experience. News coverage, ENG, documentaries. Noma, my first feature documentary (produced, shot, directed) has been screened at many international film festivals and obtained the Amnesty International Human Rights Award at the Durban Film Festival in 2016. Based in Spain and South Africa. Several languages spoken and experience shooting all over Africa. Currently learning French and a bit of Portuguese spoken. My DOP website: http://pablopinedodop.com/work.php

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - News
• Documentary DP
• Production Company
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Creative Director
• Field Producer
• Fixer
• Non-Fiction Film Director

Meggan is a versatile, creative and multi-skilled creative producer and director who has a diverse range of projects under her belt. She works on various genres and has worked in both the logistics and creative side of productions and is able to work on projects from concept development through to post production. Meggan has produced and directed several short and long-form documentaries, corporate content and factual programming for broadcasters, corporates, and organizations.

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Production Company
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Field Producer
• Documentary DP
• Fixer
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Production Assistant

I'm a multi-media artist driven by both aesthetic and effective communication. Whether it's filming, editing or photography, that's what I try to do. Inquisitively documenting, fiercely decluttering, and meticulously constructing works of art. Transforming the mundane into something that celebrates the complex splendour of life.

• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Reporter / Journalist
• Copy Editor
• Illustrator
• Storyboard Artist
• Animator / Visual Effects Artist
• Creative Director
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Senior Editor
• Video Editor - Commercial

Andile is a TV and Film Director and DOP based in Cape Town , South Africa. With almost 2 decades of experience working in the film and tv industry. Andile has worked with some of the biggest names and brands in the world both locally and internationally. Andile has traveled to some parts of the world making films weather its a commercial, music video or feature.

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Creative Director
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Executive Producer