By Sitha Maliwa
South Africa’s film, television, and commercial production sectors now have a dedicated champion with the official launch of the Directors Guild of South Africa (DGSA). Established to advocate for the country’s creative directors, the DGSA is setting new industry standards, safeguarding economic and creative rights, and fostering greater collaboration within the profession.
Founded in 2024, the DGSA represents all directors within the profession, including directors of photography, assistant directors, creative directors, and directors’ assistants. The organisation has quickly garnered a membership of over 40 of South Africa’s most influential directors, all committed to driving change in the industry.
“Directors are the heart and soul of South African storytelling, yet our contributions often go underappreciated in industry negotiations and policy discussions,” says Andile Sinqoto, a Director and DGSA Executive Committee Member. “Our mission is to provide a unified voice for all creative directors, ensuring they are supported, protected, and given the opportunities they deserve to thrive in their careers.”
A key focus of the DGSA is creating industry connections and opportunities for its members. The organisation has established relationships with renowned international institutions such as the Directors Guild of America, the New York Film Academy, and ARRI Academy. These partnerships offer members exclusive access to educational programs, skills development, and global networking opportunities.
“We have already done a lot in a short period, and through our partnerships we can do even more. We are confident that these partnerships will help South African directors gain access to new markets, funding, and career development resources,” explained Sinqoto.
In addition, the DGSA has partnered with Stage 32, a global creative networking platform, connecting South African directors to an international community and providing education, collaboration opportunities, and industry insights.
The DGSA is also committed to advocating for directors’ rights, addressing long-standing industry challenges such as fair pay, equitable contracts, and improved working conditions. By pushing for stronger protections and providing platforms for dialogue, the DGSA aims to elevate directors and strengthen the South African entertainment landscape.
“Protecting directors’ rights, promoting excellence in filmmaking, advancing industry standards, encouraging diversity and inclusion, strengthening the film ecosystem and building a strong community is our commitment. We remain steadfast in our mission to empower directors, uphold artistic integrity, and contribute to the global recognition of our South African storytelling heritage,” says Unathi Fenqe, Director at DGSA.
The DGSA is developing a Creative Rights Handbook, a guide to help directors navigate ownership, copyright protection, and industry best practices, equipping them with tools to negotiate fairer terms and protect their creative work.
“We are excited for this new chapter and are especially keen on showing the world how loud the voices of our local directors can be when we all come together. We’re a force for good in this industry and are ready to fight tooth and nail to create meaningful change,” concludes Sinqoto.-@NewsSA_Online