Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Durban for an all-expenses-paid two-day workshop, hosted by Uhuru Productions in partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF). I was joined by my mom, which made the experience even more special.
The workshop took place at The Connect Space in Musgrave — a beautiful, airy venue that perfectly matched the creative energy flowing through every session.
This initiative is part of the Not What Society Expects grant programme, and my short film ThisAbility is one of the projects selected for development. I still can’t quite believe I get to sit at the table with so many experienced creatives in the film industry, as well as fellow grant recipients who are all telling bold, powerful stories. It’s been such a treat — and an immense honour!
Day One: Discovery & Vision
We kicked off with warm introductions over coffee and a short creative warm-up before diving deep into our story concepts. I was blown away by how thoughtful and challenging the questions were — all meant to sharpen our narratives and intentions.
After lunch, we each presented our projects. Sharing my vision for ThisAbility was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. The feedback was rich and constructive, and it was inspiring to hear about everyone else’s stories. We wrapped up the day with a detailed session on budgeting — a crucial but often daunting part of filmmaking.
Day Two: Collaboration & Craft
The second day began with check-ins and warm-ups, followed by breakaway sessions where we worked one-on-one with our mentors. I was incredibly fortunate to receive guidance from my mentor — Anita Khanna of Uhuru Productions — her insights were generous, practical, and rooted in decades of industry experience.
I also loved connecting with my fellow grant recipients: Sithabile, Khutso, and Shakila. Our conversations went beyond film — into purpose, impact, and the unique journeys that brought us all here.
Post-production planning, refining our presentations, and discussions about casting and crewing rounded off the day. We finished earlier than planned – 16:00. My mom & I went back to the guesthouse to rest a bit before we went out for the evening.
A Special Screening Invitation
That evening, my mom and I were personally invited by Uhuru Productions’ CEO Rehad Desai to attend the screening of his brand-new documentary, Capturing Water. The screening took place at 18h00 on 17 July at the scenic Pooldeck at the Elangeni Hotel. It was an unforgettable experience. We were both blown away by the professionality and atmosphere — not only of the film but also of The Durban FilmMart Institute, which was set to officially kick off the very next day. What a privilege to witness the magic up close.
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This short workshop has left a lasting impact on me — not only in how I approach my film, but also in how I view myself as a filmmaker.
I’m so looking forward to continuing this journey with the team when we meet again in October for our second and final workshop. Grateful doesn’t even begin to describe it.
