Jeffreys Bay filmmaker, writer and disability advocate Vicki Fourie is celebrating a series of milestones as her debut short film, ThisAbility, moves into post-production.
Fourie’s work in the creative arts and disability advocacy has also earned her two prestigious awards — the Mail & Guardian Power of Women Award (Arts, Film & Media) and the Forty Under 40 Disability Inclusion Honorary Award.
The film, produced under Fourie’s company Sacambaya Films, explores themes of resilience and inclusion inspired by her own experiences of living with hearing loss.
Filming for ThisAbility took place in early October in Jeffreys Bay, with post-production now under way and the final version expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The 36-year-old, who directed and acted in the short film, described the process as magical, highlighting the strong sense of teamwork and support that defined the production.
“Filming my first short film has been nothing short of magical,” Fourie said.
“Every scene felt like a discovery, and I was inspired daily by the creativity and commitment of the team.
“We laughed, played and imagined together like children, storytelling at its purest, a joyful exploration of imagination and collaboration.
“My experience with hearing loss has shaped how I approach storytelling and sound design.
“This personal connection guided me to tell the story of a deaf protagonist with honesty, sensitivity and heart, ensuring audiences truly feel the character’s world.”
Fourie was diagnosed with 97% hearing loss when she was a toddler after a severe fever as an infant affected her hearing.
With cochlear implants, she can now hear up to 80%, an experience that has shaped her understanding of deafness and disability.
Her personal journey with hearing loss and filmmaking has been marked not only by creativity and perseverance, but also by a string of achievements that reflect her resilience and dedication.
“Personally, I absolutely love getting awards,” she said.
“I received my first award when I was seven years old, the only deaf girl in a hearing school, and I was given the Christian Character award.
“My name also means victorious, so I think that it’s a way of affirming my identity — I am a winner and not a victim.”
Fourie encouraged aspiring filmmakers to start where they are and make the most of the resources around them.
“Look at what you do have, not what you don’t have,” she said.
“Too often, we look at the glass as half empty when it’s really halfway to becoming full. Take what you’ve got, the talents, the gifts, the dreams, and play around with it.
“You’ll start to see your talents multiplying, and before you know it, you’re multifaceted.
“Yes, we as people with disabilities have to work twice as hard as someone with no disability, so it’s also important to set boundaries and learn to say no.
“So it’s a delicate balance, one that I’m still learning to master so that I don’t get burnout, which happens so easily with me.”
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