Exploring the Craft and Culture of Modern Filmmaking

Welcome to The Filmmaking Issue: Exploring the Craft and Culture of Modern Filmmaking. This month, we dive into the people, stories, and trends shaping the film industry in South Africa and beyond. From actors and directors to premieres, cars, and even home design inspiration drawn from movies, this issue celebrates the art and business of storytelling on screen.

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Our cover star, Lemogang Tsipa, brings Shaka iLembe to life, and we go behind the scenes with him and the visionary directors who shaped the story, including a feature on Zeno. We also speak to Gugu Mncube, co-founder of Stained Glass Productions, about their vision for SA storytelling.

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The issue explores hot topics affecting the industry today: the growing influence of social media on casting decisions, the evolving nature of actor contracts, and how movie premieres have transformed from traditional TV interviews to YouTube and digital-first experiences. We also highlight leading female directors who are pushing boundaries and reshaping the creative landscape.

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For inspiration beyond performance, we’ve curated features that blend lifestyle with film: movies to watch for home design ideas, cars that became priceless after their appearance in movies, and a roundup of SA films and series on Netflix and Showmax you don’t want to miss. And, yes—we even forced Mufaro to watch The Devil Wears Prada, since the second sequel is already in production. His take on the film inspired our feature, “32 Thoughts I Had Watching The Devil Wears Prada for the First Time, as a Guy.”

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The Filmmaking Issue is a celebration of craft, culture, and creativity. It’s about the stories that move us, the talent that shapes them, and the ways the industry continues to evolve. Whether you’re a filmmaker, an actor, or simply a lover of film, there’s something here to inspire you.