Beyond the lens: Setting new industry standards, protecting economic and creative rights, and fostering collaboration
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 and representing all directors within the profession ranging from directors of photography, assistant directors, creative directors, and directors' assistants, the DGSA already boasts a membership of over 40 of South Africa’s most influential directors.
“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 distinguished 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.”
Connecting creatives
A key focus of DGSA is fostering industry connections and
creating opportunities for its members. To help achieve this, the organisation
has established ties with heavy hitting international institutions like the
Directors Guild of America, the New York Film Academy, and ARRI Academy to
provide members with exclusive benefits such as educational programmes and
skills development training. Over time, these relationships will help
facilitate knowledge exchange, mentorship and global networking.
“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.
DGSA also has a partnership with Stage 32, a global networking platform for creatives, connecting South African directors with an international community, offering education, collaboration opportunities and industry insights.
Fighting for director’s rights
The DGSA is committed to addressing long-standing challenges
in the industry, such as fair pay, equitable contracts and improved working
conditions. By advocating for stronger protections and creating platforms for
dialogue, the organisation seeks to elevate the role of directors while
strengthening the South African film, television and commercial 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.
In addition to advocacy, DGSA offers a range of membership benefits, including professional development programmes, industry workshops and legal support for contract negotiations. The organisation has already successfully protected several directors from unfair exploitation at the hands of major streaming platforms.
Moving forward, the DGSA aims to empower directors with the tools and resources needed to navigate the complexities of the entertainment industry while driving innovation and creativity. “One of the projects we’re working on includes drafting a Creative Rights Handbook, a specially crafted guide for directors covering everything from ownership, copyright protection and licensing to industry best practices. The handbook highlights the importance of fair treatment and economic security, equipping directors with the knowledge to safeguard their work and negotiate better terms.”
“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 good in this industry and are ready to fight tooth and nail to create meaningful change,” concludes Sinqoto.
For more information on the Directors Guild of South Africa
or to become a member, visit www.dgosa.org.za