Jane-Anne Raath is a filmmaker, educator, and entertainment lawyer with a distinguished career spanning production and legal consulting within the creative industries.

Jane-Anne graduated from the University of Cape Town (UCT) with an Honours degree in Film and Media Production. She then dedicated 15 years as a dynamic freelance line producer, working extensively in feature film and service production. Her production expertise encompasses acclaimed projects such as Mad Max: Fury Road, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Chappie, and hundreds of commercial campaigns. In 2019, Jane-Anne joined AFDA as a senior lecturer in film producing, balancing this role with her master’s studies. She earned her Master’s degree in Entertainment Law from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in 2022. Since then, she has established herself as a trusted legal consultant within South Africa’s film and entertainment sectors.

For the past five years, Jane-Anne has managed the Johannesburg film school at AFDA, where she focuses passionately on curriculum development and enhancing the student experience. Her leadership is underpinned by a commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring the campus remains a vibrant hub for creative excellence. Jane-Anne is an esteemed academic who currently serves as the Film Chair of SACOMM. She has presented her research on AI and deepfake technology on international platforms, including prestigious conferences such as CILECT.

“I am truly honoured to serve this thriving creative community. I am dedicated to keeping students at the heart of all our initiatives, building on the campus’s legacy of producing some of the key players in the creative industry, with a vision to continue fostering growth and innovation. Creativity isn’t just about making something new, it’s about seeing possibilities where others see obstacles, and daring to shape the future with imagination and courage.”

Dr Temara Prem is an academic and filmmaker based in Durban, South Africa, specialising in postcolonial film theory and filmmaking. She holds a PhD in Film and Television from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Her doctoral research examines identity representation in post-apartheid South African cinema, contributing to global discussions on cultural specificity and representation in film. She also earned an MFA in Film and Television from AFDA Cape Town, where her thesis explored Baroque aesthetics and their influence on post-war expressionist cinema. This combination of theoretical and technical expertise informs her teaching and creative work.

Dr Prem also has extensive experience in the film and media industries, having worked on productions in the capacities of cinematographer and director, including directing projects for BET Africa and SABC 1. In addition to her academic and professional roles, Dr Prem is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion within the film industry and educational institutions. She serves on the Standing Committee on Ethics, Diversity, and Inclusion (SCEDI) for CILECT (The International Association of Film and Television Schools). She is also a member of SWIFT (Sisters Working in Film and Television).

Simon Pienaar is a filmmaker, educator, and creative leader born and raised in Gqeberha. With both parents having served as university lecturers, education and creativity were embedded in his upbringing. After graduating from Nelson Mandela University, Simon spent over a decade working as a freelance visual artist and educator — co-founding a design agency and a private photography school, while earning national and international awards for his work in photographic and digital arts.

Simon joined AFDA Gqeberha in 2015 and has since spent ten years lecturing across the disciplines of Cinematography, VFX, Editing, Data and Grading, Producing, and Writing. For the past four years, he has served as the Programme Coordinator for the School of Motion Picture, developing curricula, shaping student outcomes, and supporting cross-disciplinary integration. In 2024, he completed his Master of Fine Arts (MFA) through AFDA Johannesburg, focusing on engagement and immersion theory through gamification and ludology.

Simon brings to the role of Dean a grounded, holistic understanding of the AFDA curriculum and a deep belief in collaborative, student-centered learning. His leadership is guided by two core principles: kaizen, the philosophy of continuous improvement through small, daily efforts; and ikigai, the alignment of purpose, skill, and meaningful contribution.

In his new role as Dean, Simon is committed to fostering a campus culture that celebrates creativity, embraces innovation, and serves as a catalyst for the Eastern Cape’s growing creative economy.

“A great film is never made alone — it’s built frame by frame, cut by cut, through collaboration, clarity of vision, and a willingness to fail forward. That’s how I see this campus: not as a finished product, but as a living edit. Every student, every staff member, every idea contributes to the unfolding story of AFDA Gqeberha — and I’m here to help direct the next act.”

Leopold Senekal is an accomplished academic leader, educator, and creative practitioner with a distinguished career spanning over a decade in higher education and the performing arts. Currently serving as the Dean of AFDA Cape Town, Leopold is dedicated to fostering an environment of excellence, innovation, and collaboration that equips students with the skills and adaptability required for success in a rapidly evolving creative economy.

With an academic background deeply rooted in production design, production management, and performance, Leopold has held numerous pivotal roles, including Art Director, Director, Resident Production Designer, and Program Coordinator for institutions and companies both local and abroad. His expertise encompasses interdisciplinary teaching, curriculum development, and cultivating industry-relevant collaborations between film, music, live performance, and technical arts students. Under his guidance, AFDA has consistently championed forward-thinking educational practices that align with global creative industry trends.

Leopold’s tenure as Dean is marked by his commitment to ensuring that AFDA remains a leader in creative education in South Africa. His vision emphasizes the integration of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence into the curriculum, positioning AFDA as a forward-thinking institution capable of producing graduates who not only meet industry demands but actively shape its future. His leadership style combines a deep respect for academic rigor with an unwavering focus on student and staff well-being, fostering a vibrant and supportive campus culture.

Leopold has been instrumental in launching interdisciplinary assessments, establishing practical technical assessments, and designing innovative learning materials tailored for online and hybrid teaching environments. Beyond his administrative accomplishments, Leopold has contributed significantly to the artistic community through his work in theatre, television, film, and education, nurturing the next generation of performers, creators, and thought leaders.

His vision for the future reflects an educational ethos that is both ambitious and inclusive:

“We are not just preparing students for the future; we are empowering them to shape it. At AFDA, our mission is to create leaders in the creative economy—thinkers, doers, and dreamers who are unafraid to disrupt the status quo.”

“Our responsibility as educators extends beyond teaching skills—it lies in igniting a passion for lifelong learning and innovation. At AFDA, we are setting the stage for a future where creativity is informed by technology, collaboration, and a fearless pursuit of excellence.”