Adelle Gascoyne Rest In Heavenly Peace 

We send our deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Adelle who passed on 16 November 2022. Adelle was a member of Writers Guild of South Africa( WGSA ).

Her contribution to the WGSA and the sector was immense. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her. At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew Adelle.

With love,

SASFED Co-Chairs

Cati Weinek & Whitemore Ngwira

Her bio:

Professor Adelle Gascoyne was an internationally recognised South African PeaceWoman and was nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the PeaceWoman Across the Globe-initiative. She was a talented writer across multiple mediums (academic, radio, stage, screen, new media, books and magazines). She served on the Council of the Writers Guild of South Africa for the past two terms and served as a Muse Awards Judge in 2019 & 2020 and Realness Residency Judge in 2020.

Adelle was Founder and CEO of HOPE Foundation, and Wild Sunshine Media and was also Patron of the International Christian Ministry Council. She just wrapped up work on the WGSA Outreach Programme and was currently working on a NAC-funded novel and NFVF-funded screenplay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

INDEX:   NEW NOTICES WGSA PAYMENTS  THE WGSA OPEN FORUM THE 2022 WGSA MUSE AWARDS  REMINDERS THE PURPLE LIST  WGSA EVENTS 2022 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ONLINE SESSIONS INDUSTRY EVENTS GFC DISCOVER SUMMIT 2022 WGSA SERVICES & MEMBER BENEFITS WGSA SCRIPT REGISTRY  FINAL DRAFT DISCOUNTS 2022 IMDBPro DISCOUNTS  THE BLACK LIST

NEW NOTICES WGSA PAYMENTS Dear members   We have received numerous payments with references varying from “WGSA” to “MEMBERSHIP” and anything in between. However, without your name and surname, and may we add, the name you used when you made an application, we cannot allocate the payment to your account and you will continuously receive reminders to pay your membership, and endless statements from us.   On Monday 19 September, we will be sending out statements to all members who has outstanding balances on their accounts. If you receive one, and you know you have made a payment, please send that proof of payment to accounts@writersguildsa.org, so that we can track that UNALLOCATED payment and allocate it to your account.   To make sure we have the right reference: When making a payment, your bank will ask you for YOUR REFERENCE – here you can enter anything you like. Where it asks for BENEFICIARY’s REFERENCE; ADD YOUR NAME AND SURNAME.   Please also make note of our request on the website that we PREFER no CASH PAYMENTS to our banking account. The reason is that the bank charges us a minimum of R62 per cash deposit. You may pay via SnapScan, EFT or PAYFAST   Thank you for your co-operation WGSA Accounts THE WGSA OPEN FORUM The WGSA will be conducting our second Quarterly Open Forum Session for members and potential members. During these sessions you will be brought up to speed on WGSA activities. Participants are encourage to discuss issues within the Film Industry. Click on the button below to RSVP RSVP HERE THE 2022 WGSA MUSE AWARDS  The 2022 WGSA Muse awards opened on 1 August 2022 for submissions. It will remain open until 31 January 2023. However, early bird catches the worm - the sooner you submit, the lower the entry fee. If you have an Indigenous Language Script, then take advantage of our special offer right away. Send an email to accounts@writersguildsa.org to apply or for more information. Please visit our website to read about how to enter. We accept produced and unproduced work. The WGSA Muse Awards is for members only, but, you can join now and enter for this prestigious event.

REMINDERS THE PURPLE LIST This is a member-only benefit, and the purpose is to provide that much needed space where our members can do just that. We are currently still in testing mode, and we would like to invite members to inform us of any information missing or incorrect on the submission form. Please contact accounts@writersguildsa.org with any comments and suggestions to make this platform work better for you. This platform will eventually also have a search function where producers and broadcasters can search for specific content. PLEASE note that our search function is not active as yet; this will only be activated once we have at least 20 submissions. The Script Directory is just a listing. There is no search option at this point. How do you get there: Go to WGSA Purple List – Writers Guild of South Africa (writersguildsa.org)   To submit a spec script; login and go to the tab SUBMISSION PROCESS. Please read the instructions carefully before submission. This has been something that the WGSA had in their plans for a long time and it is inspiring to eventually get to the point where we are able to make this happen. We hope that our members will make use of the facility and that it will influence writers who are not yet members, to join the WGSA.

WGSA EVENTS

WGSA 2022 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ONLINE SESSIONS

The WGSA is excited to be hosting some phenomenal Masterclasses over the next half of 2022!    We have some amazing speakers lined up. Don't miss out, RSVP right now!   The online webinars are FREE for members. Non-members need to pay R50. Non-members: you can pay via EFT or SnapScan. All details are on our RSVP form. Please, remember to use as reference: Your name and surname / PDP when making a payment and upload your Proof of Payment to the RSVP form. PLEASE NOTE: Some of our online sessions are recorded; however, only those who have RSVP'd and made all possible efforts to attend the session live, but could not due to impossible circumstances, will gain access to these recordings. When requesting a recording from Admin, please note your reason for not attending. You may attend any or all sessions, however, you need to RSVP individually for the various sessions. For enquiries, email admin@writersguildsa.org UPCOMING SESSIONS:

RSVP FOR ALL SESSIONS HERE INDUSTRY EVENTS  GFC DISCOVER SUMMIT 2022 INTRODUCING THE DISCOVER FILM SUMMIT: AN INNOVATION OF THE GAUTENG FILM COMMISSION A 3-day event, Discover Film Summit will take place in Johannesburg from the 19th to the 21th of October 2022 under the theme: “FILM OF THE FUTURE: THE DIGITALISATION OF THE AUDIO-VISUAL INDUSTRY”. The Writers Guild will have a stand at this event and entrance is free to all once you have completed registration. An all-encompassing well of insight, it will explore a variety of themes across Digital, Film Creation, Multicultural Storytelling, The Business Side of the biz, as well as General Wellness in an industry that demands the most of what you have to offer. Discover Film Summit offers a platform for filmmakers and creatives to engage with leaders and industry experts, sharing their wealth of knowledge and best practice. This gathering of great minds will grant you access to an underutilised market for filmmakers, positioning the local film industry as a game-changing, big player in the global space. THE PROGRAMME WILL INCLUDE: Register now to attend the Gauteng Film Commission's Discover Summit 2022 -

WGSA SERVICES & MEMBER BENEFITS

As part of the WGSA's mandate to protect performance writers, we offer an online script registration service, which can be used to proof ownership, when faced with a dispute, or to establish a chain of title, when needed. The service is open to all, but WGSA members receive discounted rates. See more HERE.

WGSA members received a 40% discount on all new purchases and updates of Final Draft software. The discount is calculated on the original full purchase price of $249 and not on any special offers Final Draft has on offer. Therefor, WGSA members will purchase a new license at $149. Contact admin@writersguildsa.org to obtain the discount code.

The Black List is an international platform for film and Television writers to showcase their screenplays and get their work evaluated by professional readers, and connect with industry members.  WGSA Full and Candidate members list screenplays for free and receive discounted rates on hosting and evaluation services. Contact admin@writersguildsa.org to obtain the code.

The WGSA recognizes the dire impact of Covid-19 on our film, television and theatre industry and values all frontline health workers as well as those in our industry that continue to go to work to bring us news and entertainment.  For your COVID-19 Vaccine Registration go to: health.gov.za

 

VACANCY

SASFED NATIONAL CO-ORDINATOR

1 year contract

Starting date: As soon as possible

WHAT IS SASFED?

 

“The leading voice and champion of the South African Screen Industry.”

The South African Screen Federation (SASFED) is the national federation of independent film, television and audio-visual industry organisations in South Africa. Founded in 2006 in response to Government’s call for the independent screen industry to speak with a united voice, SASFED represents many professionals and companies that are operating in an increasingly diverse and growing sector. The membership of these organisations operates in all the provinces of South Africa, making SASFED’s membership truly national.

SASFED is driven and rooted in an appreciation of the specific interests, concerns and programmes of each of its members:

• to empower, unify and strengthen the SA screen industry;
• to protect the rights of the SA screen industry and all that work in it through self-regulation;
• to lobby government wherever necessary to change legislation, regulations and policies to advance the        South African screen industry and ensure its growth and development;
• to promote gender equality throughout the SA screen industry value chain;
• to transform the screen industry by opposing all forms of discrimination and oppression, recognising that  to thoroughly fulfil its economic, social and cultural potential it has to overcome the racial inequalities created under apartheid, and
• to encourage all members to adopt policies and implement programmes ensuring deliberate access by historically disadvantaged South Africans at all levels of their organisations and industry sectors.

Key responsibility areas include:

1. Governance

• Reports and accounts to the SASFED Council.
• Manages the relationship with the SASFED Council, ensuring that all SASFED Council processes work smoothly including SASFED Council meetings, SASFED Council recruitment and induction, SASFED Council development.
• Ensures that Codes of Conducts, charters and policies meet the requirements of good governance, and are updated when needed.

2. Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership to the organisation’s Council and Council subcommittees and staff by developing and overseeing the implementation of SASFED’s vision and strategy 

3. Financial Sustainability, Budgeting and Fundraising

• Ensures the organisational resources, budgeting and planning of the organisation is attended to.
• Responsible for building and managing donor relationships, raising funds and ensuring accountability to grant-makers. 

4. Organisational Development, Management

• Oversee the management of the organisation’s day-to-day administrative affairs
• Oversee the internal and external communications and social media presence
• Build SASFED and broaden its membership base
• Develop an organisational growth plan in consultation with the SASFED Council
• Develop, strengthen and/or implement organisational systems to support the smooth function of the organisation.

5. Stakeholder Engagement 

• Engage directly with key stakeholders, statutory bodies such as ICASA; sector and industry bodies, etc.

6. Human Resource Management

• Manage staff and consultants in understanding and implementing SASFED’s vision, strategy and projects
• Manage grievances and disputes, as well as support any employees in developing and implanting their professional development plans (where applicable)

7. Programme and Project Management

• Oversee the implementation of the organisational work plan
• Oversee quality control on project deliverables and provide leadership and day-to-day advice in ensuring projects embody the aims and objectives of the organisation
• Provide support, both strategic and otherwise, to Council subcommittees
• Coordinate and/or undertake research and the development of key documents, including position papers, submissions etc.

8. Public Face of SASFED

• Unless otherwise agreed with Council, to represent SASFED in the public domain
• Ensure the visibility of SASFED in the sector, the public and among key role players through, inter alia, initiating and/or participating and/or representing SASFED in sector convenings, leading SASFED’s public interventions and representing the organisation’s work through advocacy and media engagement
• Broker partnerships with organisations and public institutions on projects of mutual benefit to advance SASFED’s vision and strategy
• Develop partnerships with civil society, industry and state agencies that can advance the work and aims of SASFED.

Job Requirements

• Strong communication skills (persistent, persuasive, assertive, succinct)
• Negotiation skills to broker compromises and deals
• Strong understanding of the political system
• A minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience in the film/entertainment/media/policy/regulatory/legal industry in South Africa
• Strong analytical skills
• Knowledge about current news and events pertaining to the audio-visual industry
• Cope within a stressful work environment
• Preference will be given to persons of colour
• Understand and sympathise with government national imperatives, including its transformation agenda
• Ability to travel to Parliament or other important locations, at request of the employer and as possible within funding budget.
• Manage any staff and research capacities as required and within the budget.
• Access to own (i) transport at own expense; (ii) own laptop. A remote-based position.

Desired requirements

• A relevant Bachelor’s degree in humanities or commerce and relevant working ability and experience
• A network of strong relationships amongst government officials and audio-visual entities is not a pre-requisite but may be advantageous
• A diplomatic approach, a person who brings cohesion instead of antagonize parties/ people in the various platforms where they lobby, but will stand firm on SASFED issues

Applications should consist of a comprehensive Curriculum Vitae, a motivational letter on why you should be appointed and your unique experience you bring to the table, plus two letters of recommendation. Your application must be emailed to info@sasfed.org not later than Friday, 23rd of September 2022. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Fame Week Africa 2022 Opens its doors in Cape Town

                                                    

                                                        

Fame Week Africa opened its doors to local and international delegates, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). The event running from 24-26^th August 2022, launched to a filled industry audience.

 

As this year’s guest country, the United States was represented by the new U.S. Ambassador to South Africa; Amb Reuben Brigety, II who officially launched the American Village pavilion featuring U.S. investors. At the opening launch, the Amb giving the keynote address stressed the importance of continued partnership between the two countries. 

 

Termed the Safari of events for the creative industry, FAME Week Africa plays hosts to various shows, conferences and award ceremonies focusing film and television, arts, animation, music, media, and entertainment sectors. And while South Africa is still celebrating Women’s month, we want to highlight women not to miss at Fame Week.

 

Here’s who made it into FAME Week Africa’s Top 10 Women in Entertainment, alphabetically and by sector:

 

Film + Television

 

Ayten Amin, Film Director – Egypt

Ayten Amin's first short film Her man won several national prizes. In 2013, her debut feature film Villa 69received the Special Jury Award for Arab Film at Abu Dhabi Film, the Cairo Film Connection Award for Best Film and the Hubert Bals Award at Durban FilmMart. She also co-directed the documentary Tahrir 2011, selected at the Venice International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival and nominated for Best Documentary in Cinema For Peace award Berlin. In 2019, she directed 20 episodes of the hit drama Saabe Gaar (The Seventh Neighbour), a 70-episode TV series.

 

Camille Eden, VP of Recruitment and Talent Development for Nickelodeon - America (animation)

Camille Eden calls herself a “collaborative leader who specialises in recruitment and talent acquisition, outreach and talent development.” She says she enjoys working with creatives in at all levels to help them achieve their goals. Her work includes being one of 54 black animation professionals who recreated the iconic ‘Great Day in Harlem’ with Nickelodeon.

 

Dorothy Ghettuba, Director of Africa Originals at Netflix – Kenya

Dorothy Ghettuba is a Kenyan Film and TV entrepreneur and currently the Director, Original Series for Africa at Netflix. She is a co-founder of the Nairobi-based Spielworks Media, an African production company launched in 2009. In 2016, she was named among C. Hub magazine's 100 most influential creative personalities. Dorothy is also a 2016 Archbishop Tutu Fellow with the African Leadership Institute.

 

Nomsa Philiso, Executive Head of Programming General Entertainment at M-Net – South Africa

Nomsa Philiso is the Executive Head of Programming at General Entertainment, M-Net. She has extensive broadcast and media experience spanning over 25 years in media sales, channel and content management, technology project implementation, and general management.

 

Mehret Mandefro, Co-founder of Realness Institute and Filmmaker – Ethiopia and America

Born in Addis Ababa, Mehret Mandefro was one of the 2009 Honorees in the Black Girls Rock Awards, receiving the Community Service Award, and in 2014, she was one of the women honoured in the International Women's Day Celebration in New York City, by WomenWerk. The same year she co-produced the film Difret, directed by Zeresenay Berhane Mehari. Mehret also co-executive produced a 2019 Zeresenay Berhane film titled, Sweetness in the Belly; and the documentary The Loving Generation she co-directed and co-produced which was nominated for a Webby People's Voice Award.

 

Mimi Bartels, Head of Production: of FilmOne Entertainment – Nigeria

Mimi Bartels career includes more than nine years in content creation, film production and distribution. Her focus is on collaborative building of creative excellence to push Nigerian storytelling to its max. She is currently Head of Production (Co-Head, FilmOne).

 

Music

 

Antos Stella, Managing Director – Content Connect Africa - South Africa 

With a magnificent impact on South African music over 30 years, Antos Stella is a hugely respected businesswoman in the industry. Bridging the gap between creative and business, Antos has been part of some of South Africas biggest international artist deals, and a leading content aggregator with a focus on telecommunications and digital distribution.

 

Domanique Grant, Singer-Songwriter – Canada

Singer, Songwriter, Creator and three-time award winning entrepreneur. Domanique  works with brands, thought leaders and media (TEDx, CTV, NBS) to “share what millennials really feel”. Her critically acclaimed EP Album PLAYHOUSE has been performed on over half of the continents around the world and she is one of 20 artists out of 1 000 in Canada selected for the SOCAN TD Incubator recognising artists with high viability.

 

Namakau Star, Singer - South Africa

In June 2022, Namakau Star launched her debut EP 7 track EP, LANDING, through Paradise Sound Systems. Born in Johannesburg and now resident in Cape Town, Namakau Star has been a noted for her influence in the alternative RnB & Hip Hop scene; television appearances as well as commendations from different media outlets. In 2021 her music gained popularity through Apple Music’s curated playlists, the Queen of RnB segment on MTV Base.

   

XXC Legacy, Artist & Cross Trainer Ambassador – South Africa

Born Courtney Thandiswa Mthethwa, this noted young singer, rapper, theatrical performer, clarinetist, pianist and violinist has been dubbed a visionary for her achievements in the music and entertainment scene. Graduating from the National School of the Arts, where she studied music theory, learned piano and clarinet and participated in musical theatre productions.

 

 

“FAME Week Africa sees all of these exceptional women as winners, not only for their individuals strengths and creativity, but for their collective impact on the world of entertainment,” says Martin Hiller, Creative + Content Director for FAME Week Africa. “Join us at FWA’s Top 10 Women in Entertainment live and see exactly how these sisters are doing it.”

 

FAME Week Africa headlined by MIP Africa and MUZIKI Africa is the perfect platform for Africa to bring her stories and content to the world. Based on the tremendous success of FAME Week Africa 2021, industry professionals from around the continent and abroad will once again shine from 24 – 26 August 2022.

 

Visit the event’s five conference theatres, film screenings, masterclasses and workshop happening till Friday this week.

 

 

Register for FAME Week Africa 2022 

Stay connected

To keep up with all things FAME Week Africa, as well as; speaker, content session and event updates, subscribe to their newsletter and follow them on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook or visit their website.

Ends.

 

 

 

 

 

The Locations Africa conference is back!!!

OCTOBER 5 & 6

REGISTRATION OPEN!!

www.oocationsafrica.com/conference-2022

Hybrid - in person and streaming online via our website.

Go to www.locationsafrica.com to register your attendance.

Look forward to influential panels, learning more about shooting on location through masterclasses and Tech Talks. Be part of a familiarization tour of the regions.

For more information visit www.locationsafrica.com