DEATH OF A QUEEN is a South African mini-series produced by Mud Hut Productions and adapted from Macbeth as part of the SABC1 “Shakespeare in Mzansi” strand, a collection of mini-series which contemporised various works of Shakespeare into a South African context.
Marina Bekker is an award-winning screenwriter working in both local and the international Television and Film industry for the past 20 years.
Known for her bold and authentic work, she started writing for Stage and Youth Television while still at University. She has 15 series, of which 8 she created and ran as Head-Writer, plus 6 Features for cinematic release under her belt as well as visionary work for the stage, writing 3 Plays, 4 Cabarets and 6 Marionette Productions for Stage and Television where 3 were musicals with ‘The Rain Queen’ headlining as featured production, representing South Africa at the International Marionette Festival in Denmark.
A Pretoria University graduate (Bachelor of Arts in Dramatic Arts), Marina comes to screenwriting via 19 years on set as Script Supervisor and Continuity. She has written in a wide variety genre covering Magic Realism, Thriller, Drama, Comedy, Action, Historical, Adventure, Youth, Soap, Telenovela, and Edutainment.
Marina’s forte is African Magic Realism, tapping into her extensive African cultural knowledge as well as drawing on her strong connection to and understanding of African cosmology and the soul of African storytelling. She’s known for her edgy and rebellious comedy when driven there by the state of the world.
Marina’s groundbreaking hit mini-series DEATH OF A QUEEN was chosen to represent South Africa in Warsaw, Poland, at INPUT 2009, the International Television Festival. 2018/2019 found Marina working with Sony International and ELTV on the series she co-created and co-wrote THE DAHOMEY WARRIORS for the global market.
Marina is a multiple SAFTA and Muse Awards nominee and winner. 2020 / 2021 brought development to another one of her mini-series she created when she landed a South African co-Production with Canada’s Caribbean Tales Media Group (CTMG) as part of the sought-after Cinefam Africa – The Accelerator Incubator Program.
Inspired by her fervent belief that filmmakers / screenwriters are the modern-day prophets and can truly change the world, Marina makes time to find and mentor fresh talent to help them fly.
The pandemic brought home a core truth to all artists: "We need to find a new way to live with each other, animals and the planet… the responsibility of especially Film-and-Television-makers." This drives Marina to deeper truths and higher joys.
"There is no greater potential force for good than Film & Television.
Making it so is our responsibility!"
RSVP for the session with Marina by noon Monday, 15 November in order to receive the Zoom Link, which will be sent to you 24 hours prior to the session.
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