Master classes
Discussions
Workshops
Master classes |
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| Breaking into the festival circuit | Getting your film seen on the inter national festival circuit is one of the most competitive and complex challenges a filmmaker can face. Acclaimed writer-director Dian Weys leads an intimate, hands-on masterclass for 15 selected participants, drawing on real-world experience navigating the world’s most prestigious festivals from Tribeca to Cannes. His latest short, Aasvoëls, won the Unifrance Short Film Grand Prix award at Cannes in 2025 and is screened at the Silwerskerm Festival this year. This is your rare opportunity to move beyond theory and into practical strategy, with personalised guidance designed to give your film the edge it deserves on the global stage. | Marianne de Klerk
(Host) |
Wednesday, 19 August, 15:00
Silwerskermkamer |
Discussions |
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The power of short |
The short film is one of cinema’s most unforgiving and most rewarding formats. This panel unpacks what makes a great short work: the economy of storytelling, the distinct voice it demands, and why it remains the sharpest ticket to international recognition for emerging filmmakers. Paired with a screening of Dian Weys’s acclaimed Aasvoëls, this is a conversation about why small can hit hardest. | Muneera Sallies (Anchor)
Dian Weys, Wim Steyn, Jordy Sank, Dominique Jossie and Joshua Malherbe. |
Wednesday, 19 August, 14:00
Rotunda |
| Beyond the commission | The most resilient content creators in the industry today are building careers and businesses on multiple foundations at once. This panel brings together industry role players to explore what sustainable creative practice looks like in a changing landscape – from strategic brand partnerships to formats designed with longevity in mind. The conversation around how to fund, grow and future-proof a creative career has never been more relevant. | Quentin C Krog (Host)
Stacey Takane, Siv Ngesi and Chantelle Herbst. |
Thusrday, 20 August, 14:00
Rotunda |
| AI + AI: Artificial intelligence and artistic integrity | Artificial intelligence is already reshaping how stories are developed, produced and distributed, yet the big questions around authorship, ownership and transparency remain wide open. This panel brings together industry practitioners to explore how AI is being integrated into real workflows, and what that means for filmmakers navigating an industry in flux. As global players begin to define their approaches, conversations like this one play a vital role in shaping local perspectives and the frameworks that will follow. | Wikus du Toit (Host)
Donovan MArsh, Damir Radonic and Lorhren-Rose Joseph |
Friday, 21 August, 14:00
Rotunda |
| Co-productions: Models, markets and opportunity | The global appetite for African stories has never been greater, and with it comes a growing range of opportunities for collaboration, financing and scale. This panel brings together key industry role players to explore the evolving landscape of international and intra-African co-productions, with a focus on the business models unlocking new pathways to market. From broadcaster partnerships and independent financing to regional co-production treaties, the conversation unpacks how projects are being structured to travel, attract investment and reach global audiences. As new models continue to take shape, understanding how to position, package and pitch for maximum impact has never been more valuable. | Scharl van der Merwe (Host)
Nicola Auret, Waldimar Pelser, Joachim Landau |
Friday, 21 August, 15:30
Rotunda |
Workshops |
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| Cinematography: Shooting the lights out (brought to you by SONY) | Camera technology is evolving faster than ever, reshaping what is possible on set and redefining the visual language of film and television. In this workshop, cinematographer Jorrie van der Walt is joined by leading voices from various fields to take you on a journey through the full cinematography process. From camera selection and application, data management, codec choices, grading possibilities and post solutions, this is an immersive experience that bridges the creative and the technical. A rare opportunity to engage directly with the tools and gain insight into the decision-making process that is changing the way stories are told. |
Lucia Meyer-Marais (Host) Jorrie van der Walt |
Thursday, 20 August, 16:00
Thatre on the Bay |
| Modern nostalgia: Reimagining handmade cinema for a new generation | In an age of digital perfection, the most radical creative choice can be to reach back. This workshop explores the distinctive creative philosophy behind Silas en die Ysbeer op Tafelberg, where practical puppetry, painted skies, analogue instrumentation and contemporary visual effects were woven together not in competition, but in conversation. The result is a distinctly South African fantasy world that feels tactile, emotionally charged and timeless. Paired with a screening of the film, this workshop demonstrates why craft, instinct and imagination remain the most powerful tools in any filmmaker’s kit. | Quentin C Krog (Host) | Friday 21 August, 11:00
Rotunda |
| Audience design: Building your audience from day one | Audience design is a strategic approach that integrates audience thinking from the earliest stages of a project, using story-based content and multi-channel communication to attract and retain the people most likely to connect with your work. In this workshop, Berlin-based audience strategist and founder of GET YOUR CROWD, Paul Rieth, draws on his experience working with filmmakers and film organisations to explore what audience design looks like in practice – from development through to release – and why building genuine audience relationships early has become one of the most effective tools a filmmaker has. | Paul Reith (Presenter) | Friday, 21 August, 12:00
Silwerskermkamer |