Master classes
Discussions
Workshops
Master classes |
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| Comedy chops: Acting funny | This exclusive two-hour master class with acclaimed South African comedic talents Bennie Fourie and Desiré Gardner explores the essential skills for comedic performance. Participants will dive deep into timing and rhythm, the art of commitment and truthfulness in absurd situations, and mastering physical comedy techniques. Learn how to develop improvisation abilities, enhance listening and reaction skills and how to navigate different comedy genres from slapstick to satire. Fourie, creator and star of multi-SAFTA-winning Hotel and Taktiek, brings extensive experience in comedy writing, acting and directing. Gardner, with her impressive range across 7de Laan, Magda Louw and numerous productions, offers insights from both performance and head writing perspectives. The session will also touch on writing and directing for comedy as essential support tools for actors seeking to understand the full comedic process. | Carla-Marie Myburgh (Host) | Wednesday, 20 August, 14:30
Theatre on the Bay |
| Documentaries: Writing fact like fiction | This intensive two-hour master class with documentary experts Jasyn Howes and Andy Petersen reveals the craft of transforming real events into compelling narrative storytelling. Using their acclaimed works, such as Boetie Boer as case studies, participants will explore story mining from case files and court transcripts, building character arcs from public records and humanising complex subjects without fictionalising facts. Learn the anatomy of hybrid scenes that blend re-enactment with archival footage, discover techniques for creating three-act structures from nonlinear material and master the balance between emotional truth and factual accuracy. Through hands-on exercises, attendees will tackle the legal and ethical challenges of working with real victims and living subjects. | Shaamila Fataar (Host)
Jasyn Howes and Andy Petersen |
Thursday, 21 August, 14:00
Theatre on the Bay |
| Short and sharp: Crafting the short film | This exclusive two-hour master class with acclaimed filmmakers Gabriella Blumberg and Jordy Sank explores the art of short filmmaking from concept to delivery. Learn the economy of storytelling, visual narrative techniques and how to create immediate impact within tight constraints. Blumberg, producer of Safta-winning documentary I Am Here and director of award-winning shorts like Volle bors, brings expertise in crafting stigma-breaking stories. Sank, whose short Leemtes en leegheid won Best Short Film at Silwerskermfees and paved the way for his full box-office hit feature Die Kwiksilwers, will share the strategic short-to-feature journey. Participants will discover how to fine-tune their short film craft as proof-of-concept pieces that unlock larger commissions and recognition both locally and internationally. | Muneera Sallies (Host) | Friday, 22 August, 14:00
Theatre on the Bay |
Discussions |
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| The future of the feature film | Filmmakers, distributors and visionaries discuss the challenges of theatrical release, creative problem-solving and future predictions for the viability of feature films. | Waldimar Pelser (Anchor) | Wednesday, 20 August, 14:00
Rotunda |
| Audience evolution: The modern viewer’s choice | Specialists in the field of funding, scheduling and creating contemporary content discuss the modern viewers’ needs, wants and habits – and how to keep them engaged and satisfied. | Muneera Sallies (Anchor) Janine Cornelius, Renaldo Schwarp, Moses Williams en Yolanda Ncokotwana. |
Thursday, 21 August, 14:00
Rotunda |
| Local content, global appeal: Reasons stories travel | Leaders in local broadcasting, streaming and filmmaking congregate to discuss the recipe for success in creating content that resonates and travels across international borders. | Lizette Khan (Anchor), Tracy-Ann van Rooyen, Nicola Auret, Waldimar Pelser, Wikus du Toit en Refiloe Hlabioa. | Friay, 30 August, 14:00
Rotunda |
Workshops |
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| Practicing duty of care: The reality of reality entertainment | This essential workshop examines the legal and ethical responsibilities producers have toward reality TV participants. Led by content, publicity and duty-of-care specialists, the session covers mental health support protocols, informed consent processes, physical safety measures and post-production care. Attendees will learn about industry guidelines, real-world case studies and practical implementation of comprehensive care systems that protect contributors throughout production and beyond broadcast. |
Marguerite Albrecht and Nadine Moonsamy (Presenters) Martsie Dreyer (Expert) |
Wednesday, 20 August, 12:00
Rotunda |
| Documentaries: Trust, timing and tenacity | This workshop equips South African storytellers with practical tools for documentary filmmaking. Learn how to gain access to people and stories, craft compelling pitches for local broadcasters like kykNET and Showmax, and navigate the ethical challenges of nonfiction storytelling. Through case studies of genre-defying documentaries, participants will explore research techniques, budget management and building trust with contributors while balancing creative vision with realistic production planning. | Terja Beney & Lorhren-Rose Joseph (Presenters)
Richard Finn Gregory (Expert) |
Thursday, 21 August, 14:00
Rotunda |
| Film festivals across the world: What it takes to impress | This strategic workshop demystifies the global film festival landscape for emerging filmmakers. Learn about festival hierarchies, submission strategies, and the “waterfall approach” from top-tier festivals like Venice and Berlin to specialised regional circuits. Successful filmmakers will share their experiences navigating premiere requirements, building industry relationships and developing long-term festival strategies. Discover practical insights on timing submissions, understanding different festival markets and building the persistence needed for breakthrough moments in this competitive yet rewarding space. | Wikus du Toit (Presenter) Experts: |
Friday, 22 August, 12:00
Rotunda |