Callsheet Africa

10/12/2025

WARNER BROS BIDDING WAR: WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SA?

The recent announcement of Netflix's $72bn dollar deal with Warners Bros has caused headlines across both global and local media. And now, with Paramount launching a hostile $108 billion bid of its own for Warner Bros Discovery, the picture becomes even more complex. However, the question remains: how might this deal - and other similar deals, like the Canal+ acquisition of Multichoice - change the face of streaming in future, with consolidation appearing to be an ongoing trend?

Leslie Adams - Sales Director at Reach Africa shares his thoughts on the matter. https://thecallsheet.co.za/2025/12/10/warner-bros-discovery-bidding-war-what-does-it-mean-for-sa/

02/12/2025

Film and television production company Film Afrika recently concluded its first ever fam tour, welcoming key executives from top global studios to experience South Africa’s world-class production capabilities first-hand.

Delegates from major studios including, amongst others, Warner Bros Discovery: HBO + HBO Max participated in this immersive showcase of South Africa’s unique advantages.

“This tour was a powerful reminder of the value South Africa brings to international productions. We’ve built a production ecosystem that balances efficiency with excellence, at every level. We look forward to deepening our partnerships and helping more studios realise their creative visions right here in South Africa," Rudi van As, CEO of Film Afrika, said. Read more: https://thecallsheet.co.za/2025/11/27/film-afrika-shows-off-sas-world-class-film-and-tv-production-capabilities-to-top-global-studios/

29/11/2025

28/11/2025

Across the valleys, townships, and small towns of KwaZulu-Natal, cinema is sparking new excitement. A vibrant circuit of district-based film festivals is bringing the magic of the big screen directly to local communities - and at the heart of this movement is KZN Tourism & Film - Film in KZN.

The newly merged entity is championing these grassroots festivals as a catalyst to grow the provincial film industry from the ground up. Read more: https://thecallsheet.co.za/2025/11/28/lighting-up-local-screens-kzn-tourism-film-drives-kzns-district-festivals/

26/11/2025

Although Novocaine is set in San Diego, the #1 US box office hit was filmed in South Africa over eight weeks in March 2024.

Blue Ice Africa was the local service company, responsible for travel, crew, logistics, locations and the budget.

Whether Novocaine needed a booby-trapped house or a black-and-white classic American cop car, Blue Ice found a way to make it happen. “Anything on screen was sourced locally,” says Blue Ice founding partner Adam Friedlander. Read more: https://thecallsheet.co.za/2025/11/26/made-in-south-africa-production-of-1-us-box-office-hit-novocaine-was-easy-as-pie/

Showmax M-Net

20/11/2025

South Africa's Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is inviting film and production federations and organisations to submit expressions of interest in joining the new Screen Talent and Global Entertainment Scheme (STAGES), a catalytic visa reform aimed at boosting South Africa’s position as a premier global destination for film and creative productions.

But how will it work? Find out here: https://thecallsheet.co.za/2025/11/20/stages-visa-how-it-will-work/

Department of home affairs

18/11/2025

18/11/2025

16/11/2025

NFVF – CEO RE-ADVERTISEMENT

Job Ref: RECR/CEO/04/11/2025

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, invites applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The CEO will lead the strategic direction, operational delivery, and overall performance of the NFVF, ensuring effective ex*****on of its mandate to develop, promote, and support South Africa’s film and video industry. This role reports directly to the NFVF Council.

Key Responsibilities:
• Provide strategic leadership and oversee ex*****on of NFVF strategy and business plans.
• Drive organisational performance, financial sustainability, governance, and compliance (including PFMA).
• Strengthen stakeholder relations across government, industry partners, funders and communities.
• Lead transformation, change management and development of a high-performing workforce.
• Ensure effective internal controls, risk management, and corporate governance.
• Promote the NFVF’s reputation and position it as a credible industry leader.

Minimum Requirements:
• NQF Level 8 qualification in Public Administration, Governance or Business Management (Master’s at NQF 9 advantageous).
• Minimum 15 years’ relevant management experience, including 5 years at executive level in the public sector.
• In-depth knowledge of the film and video industry, policy, and legislative frameworks.

Competencies:

Strategic leadership, financial management, stakeholder engagement, people management, governance and compliance, decision-making, risk management, transformation, and strong communication skills.

Application Process:

Submit a detailed CV and cover letter to [email protected]

Important Notes:

• Shortlisted candidates will undergo suitability, background, qualification, credit, and competency assessments.
• Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by SAQA.
• Previously submitted applications are encouraged to re-apply.

Closing Date: 24 November 2025 at 12h00.

Applications not responded to within 30 days should be considered unsuccessful.

The NFVF reserves the right not to make an appointment.

Click here for more info: https://zurl.co/TtMUl

14/11/2025

DIFF ANNOUNCES NEW FESTIVAL MANAGER

Sakhile Gumede has been appointed Festival Manager for the 47th edition of the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) in 2026. Read more: https://thecallsheet.co.za/2025/11/13/durban-international-film-festival-announces-new-festival-manager/

Durban International Film Festival Centre for Creative Arts

14/11/2025

Join screenwriter-director duo Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar, whose feature film 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘢 was partially funded by, and later selected to premier at, the Venice International Film Festival in 2024. The movie has been described by many Guild members as one of the most beautiful films to emanate from our country.

As it continues its international film festival journey at some of the most prestigious stages on every continent, the duo are taking some time to sit with WGSA's Zunaid Mansoor (Head of Professional Development Programmes) to share insights about the movie's genesis, research, and their co-writing and co-directing process.

From preserving artistic vision through collaboration, and changing the African narrative through the honest on-screen portrayal of underrepresented communities, to the vagaries of telling stories on the page, on set with the camera, and in the editing bay - all WGSA members and non-members are invited to join as we continue to learn from and celebrate the South African cinematic imagination with our industry's visionary screen storytellers.

𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬:
Date: Thursday, 20 November 2025
Time: 13:00 - 15:00 SAST
Register here: https://forms.gle/iQvV1C37uzJ1Jreq6

Registration is essential! The meeting link will be distributed via email. Please add [email protected] to your contact list

𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬:
Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar are co-writers and co-directors under the collective KRAAL, based across Namaqualand and Cape Town in South Africa. Their productions reflect a strong connection to local culture and the natural world, integrating themes of consciousness and the non-human in their narratives. The duo’s acclaimed projects include the feature film 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘢, an official selection in the Orizzonti section of the 81st Venice International Film Festival (2024).

Their upcoming features Variations on a Theme and All I Know are slated for release in 2026 alongside Brakwater and Uprooted, two short films.

Feature Film Title: 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘢 (2024)
Logline: In a small mountain village threatened by the development of a luxury golf estate, a young woman has to make the choice: go to the city to become a ‘success’ in life, or take over her grandfather’s rooibos farm.

REGISTER TODAY!
NB: Registration is essential. WGSA members may attend free of charge. We also invite members of our sister organisations Safrea and DFA to attend free of charge. Non-members pay ZAR 75.00

07/11/2025

Q&A WITH HAKEEM KAE-KAZIM, STAR OF MASINGA – THE CALLING

SAFTA winner Hakeem Kae-Kazim leads a star-studded cast in Masinga – The Calling, which premieres on Showmax on 5 December 2025.

Filmed in KwaZulu-Natal and London, the crime thriller won Best Director and Best Screenplay for Mark Engels at both the 2025 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards in Durban and The Palermo Independent International Film Festival in Italy.

To find out more, Xabiso Ngqabe sat down with Hakeem: https://thecallsheet.co.za/2025/11/07/qa-with-hakeem-kae-kazim-star-of-masinga-the-calling/