AFDA Durban’s Postgraduate Programme Coordinator and Quality Control Officer for the Bachelor of Creative Writing, Dr. Janet van Eeden, continues to make an indelible mark on South Africa’s film and entertainment industry. Her extensive experience has been acknowledged once again by key industry stakeholders.
The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) Festival Manager and Head of Programming, along with the Programme Coordinator and Project Leader of the Centre for Creative Arts, have invited Janet to serve as a judge for script submissions (in English) for their isiZulu Scriptwriting Five-Day Masterclass, which will take place during the upcoming festival. Six participants were selected based on the strength and originality of their stories.
In addition to this, Janet has also been appointed to help judge the twenty applicants for the DIFF Film Festival Residency. From this pool, eight emerging Festival Directors will be chosen to spend a week in Durban, from 14 to 21 July 2025, during the 46th edition of DIFF. During this time, they will focus on strategic planning and curatorial development, with the goal of strengthening local film festivals and promoting South African cinema through collaborative networks.
Over the past two months, Janet has also served as the Overall Chairperson of the Simon Sabela Awards, curated by KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film (formerly the KZN Film Commission). After an intense, three-round adjudication process across 21 categories, the judging panel is finalizing the results. The prestigious awards ceremony will be held on 19 July 2025.
Janet’s continued involvement at the forefront of major film initiatives highlights her significant influence in the creative industry. Her leadership, expertise, and commitment to nurturing South African storytelling are not only shaping the future of local cinema but also setting a standard of excellence for generations to come.