The AFDA Bachelor of Arts in Motion Picture Medium is renowned for providing students with a rigorous, well-rounded, comprehensive education in motion picture production. The program is designed to equip students with the necessary conceptual, practical and contextual skills to produce multiple forms of film, TV, stage and emerging media content. What defines the program and sets it apart, is its experiential approach to learning, allowing graduates to thrive in the creative economy of the 21st century.
Unlike in traditional learning spaces, students are not assessed on the knowledge they have gained by means of examinations. Instead, they are assessed by how they are able to analyse and apply this knowledge in the context of creating motion picture projects. This problem-based learning assists students in developing their own concepts, then in contextualising and socialising this learning through successful collaboration, integrating their own understanding with that of the team, and finally in evaluating their progress in order to foster a sense of personal development. Also included in this approach, is the element of work-integrated learning, providing students with the opportunity to connect with the motion picture profession, applying their knowledge in the context of building successful and fulfilling careers.
Students enrolling for this degree should have a strong desire to:
The minimum requirement to enter an AFDA Bachelors degree is a National Senior Certificate (matric) or National Certificate (Vocational) with exemption/admission to bachelor's degree, or equivalent.
OR the student may write an Entrance Exam at AFDA (View RPL Process). The AFDA Entrance Exam is a selection process approved by the AFDA Institutional Senate for degree access. To give a candidate alternative access to degree, s/he can sit for the Entrance Exam and there must be record of it, the recommendation on the individual student from the registered psychometrist must be signed off by Institutional Senate or its subcommittee, as per AFDA Entrance Exam policy (in accordance with Higher Education Act (Act 101 of 1997) Amendment No 1317 in Government Gazette of 5 Dec 2008 number 31674 clause 31). Such access will apply only to AFDA’s programmes, its entrance exam is not valid to another university, and vice versa.
You need to have completed your first year degree studies at a recognised institution and have a portfolio or evidence of work to motivate your discipline choices. You will also have to have a full interview.
Over the space of three years, students will have the opportunity to discover and explore the world of motion picture production through the following core areas: Ideation Studies, Contextual Studies, Discipline Studies, Project Studies and Reflection Studies.
Not only will students work collaboratively to creatively engage with and understand the rich diversities of theories surrounding motion picture media, they will also learn how these contribute to the making of a product. During this learning process, students will develop the concepts and perceptual capacity necessary to produce their own original, rich and exciting work. They will do so with an understanding of narrative, how story is informed by conflict and its relationship to the human condition, as well as by exploring and comprehending how story is visualized and expressed through the medium, aesthetics and business of film, TV, stage and emerging media.
Students will have the opportunity to use the knowledge they have gleaned in Ideation Studies to experiment, play and imaginatively express their creative voice in the fields of production, screen design, image production, post-production and sound and music production. These discipline concentrations, and the perceptual and concrete skills they inform, have been conceptualized in such a way that they meet the ever-evolving production needs of the 21st century motion picture industry.
Key 21st century skills are covered, such as critical thinking, collaboration, career development and resilience skills, goal-setting and values, together with an understanding that the landscape of digital technology is ever-changing. These will encourage the development of creative individuals who are culturally aware, who have the capacity to exercise ethical considerations, and who are able to successfully integrate their abilities with others in a team. These skills will also provide students with a wider scope for future employment.
Here, students are given the opportunity to systematically apply the concepts and theories explored in Ideation, Discipline and Contextual Studies to producing a term project. For these projects, multiple learning narratives - such as feature narratives, television programs, series, documentaries, YouTube programs, mobisodes and webisodes, user-generated experiences among many others - are assigned to groups of students sequentially. This provides them with the opportunity to experiment and engage with a broad range of 21st century media forms.
The production process culminates in Reflection Studies, allowing students to critically reflect on their experiential project-led learning. Students are encouraged to link their theoretical learning to their experiences of the real world, mapping their growth and deciding how what they have learned during the creation of their projects will inform their career development, their investment in the world, and their own personal fulfilment.
Not only will each area of study be informed by instructive lectures, students will also attend regular small-group tutorials, an integral part of their learning process. In these tutorials, students will have the opportunity to enhance their knowledge of lecture content, and to critically engage with concepts and projects with the help and guidance of experienced tutors and lecturers. These individuals have the skills, understanding and empathy to offer necessary individual support. Tutorials are structured to encourage the sharing of individual creative ideas as a means to a successful collaborative outcome.
During the first eighteen months of the program, there are no electives and all students take all the subjects. First year students will have the opportunity to test and experience the many disciplines that contribute to the making of a motion picture production. Once the students have developed broad knowledge of the motion picture production process, and how they integrate to produce valuable products, they then begin to select the disciplines they would like to specialize in. During the last eighteen months of the program, students select one major discipline and one minor discipline to specialize in.
Study this course at these campuses
Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth
Course type
Undergraduate Degrees
Duration
3 Years, Full Time
2020 FEES request information apply nowTo graduate with an accredited and registered degree or higher certificate
To be part of an internationally recognized education institution
To be empowered with competitive, professional and innovative skills
To become part of a network of highly talented artists, entrepreneurs & practitioners
To contribute to nation-building by growing the creative economy
Port Elizabeth
AFDA Port Elizabeth Student, BA (Honors) in Motion Picture Medium, Producing Major...
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Ke Nna (It’s me/I am) is a documentary about the lives of two individuals who are transgender and transsexual respectively. The documentary follows ...
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I am third year film producing student at AFDA film school in Johannesburg. I have a keen interest in nature documentaries as well as films....
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I have majored in film producing however I love to understand everything that is going on during a film production. My goal is to understand to help t...
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I have majored film producing and try get involved in all aspect of the creation of a film. I enjoy learning and my goal is to try and understand all ...
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Elizabeth Bronwynne Naidoo, was born on the 28th of December 1997. Her passion for the film and television industry began at the tender age of five, w...
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My name is Buhle Zwane, a third year film producing student. I am a proud young, gifted and black woman who enjoys telling stories through film. Hard ...
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Carla Havemann [22] is a third year animation student at AFDA. She is originally from a small town located in Mpumalanga. She finished high school wit...
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Ambigram is a 3rd year AFDA (Johannesburg) student production company....
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Cecilia was born and bred in Mauritius. She grew up always having a camera in her hand and has a strong passion for music and art. After giving a try ...
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Age 22. Born and raised in South Africa. I am an aspiring young film maker who aims to make a difference in film, and the way it is perceived. My pass...
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The Narrative follows Aminia, a suicidal 20 year old as she embarks on a psychedelic induced journey through her subconscious in order to seek the roo...
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A young woman visits a beach house in order to escape her pain from a recent heartbreak. Within this isolated house, she is constantly haunted by her ...
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Three aspiring actors, Pearl, Sibu and Mazi, enter a dingy, black-box theatre for an integrative acting workshop directed by Dr. Mthetwa (an unorthodo...
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I am a Third Year Film Producing student studying at AFDA Johannesburg....
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"Fate is for those who are too weak to determine their own destiny". When mother nature gives birth to two gods, a sibiling rivalry arises, and two t...
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Thongolam is a story about how a young girl's search for her identity leads her to consult with a Sangoma about her ancestry....
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House of Gomorrah is the story about a community church that harbours shameful secrets of pastoral abuse which threaten to blow open with deadly conse...
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In Jesus Name is a 14-minute documentary where we take a look at the exploitation of vulnerable people in religious institutions, focusing on the mod...
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Moving from Munich to Cape Town in 2004, Isabella did castings from a young age and loved the dynamic energy of being on set. After being awarded a sc...
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As a Transvaal born Capetonian, I couldn’t be prouder of my home country. The stories, the culture, the diversity… The thought of knowing that I...
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Producer of Imbali and Producer & Sound Designer for Stray. I'm an anomaly, I push boundaries, I challenge everything....
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A musical tail derived from the original Midsummer Nights’ dream written by William Shakespeare. A story told from the fairies perspective where we...
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Pelaelo is a 15 minute documentary which explores and questions the existence of the supernatural world and tries to give answers to situations which ...
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Lebo Raleting is a multidimensional artist, that is particularly interested in creating content that not only speaks to the heart, but speaks to the m...
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Synopsis The dynamics of lust, betrayal and infidelity drive the narrative of this telenovela. Families, trust, a long lasted friendship and a marri...
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The Generational Throne BTS https://vimeo.com/241481803 Promo https://vimeo.com/241482202...
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Tukishi is about Warona, a prince from Limpopo who’s expected to take on his royal responsibilities after his brother passes on. He is secretly marr...
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I'm a third year AFDA student majoring in producing at the Johannesburg campus...
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Johustleburg is a story of power,freedom and struggle within Tembisa .A local doctor is involved in some corrupt dealings involving prominent politici...
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I have always been in the art space, and I have a passion to entertain, educate and to inspire people through the films we create. I see myself becomi...
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3rd year film producer at AFDA Cape Town. Originally from Norway, but is now in South Africa to finish off her film degree....
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A young art curator, Thandile, has to deal with the aftermath of a social media outburst that happened a month prior at a meet-up whilst still keepin...
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"All My Love" follows the journey of a young man, Cayson, who grapples with the conflicting ideals of what it takes to be a man. This is addressed thr...
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Megan van der Merwe, a creatively empowered female, currently pursuing the passion of film and photography....
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Inkabi is a 15 minutes student documentary exploring hitmen within the taxi industry....
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The Shadows is a 15 minutes documentary that gives the audience mortuary work experience. The documentary follows three people who are employees in go...
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Title: Tata Uphi Logline: A creation of his actions Synopsis: Tata Uphi is a 12 minute documentary that deals with the father complex issues that ...
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Motselisi Mosebo is a 22-year-old creative currently completing her degree at AFDA Johannesburg, with a specialisation in producing. Her interest in f...
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Cult Femme is about a female cult made up of 7 women who believe that men are demons. They are extreme feminists who are convinced that men should be ...
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Kenyan born South African based Director, Producer and writer...
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My name is Nasreen Ebrahim and I am third year AFDA student with a passion for producing....
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6 Actors in Search of an Audience is about the failure of South Africans to unite in their diversity. Our generation was raised in a so-called the “...
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Dot is an insecure and selfless 21 year old woman who finds herself planning a haunted house prank for her best friend who is trying to impress a girl...
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Johustleburg is a story of power,freedom and struggle within Tembisa .A local doctor is involved in some corrupt dealings involving prominent politici...
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Third Year Stage Experimental Festival 2019 19_S1_W1_002 Love and Other Crimes...
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Bokamoso is a drama series set to the backdrop of the Ga-Modjadji Queendom where Khomotso battles with the sacrifices of village life whilst chasing h...
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A telenovela about a conservative middle aged white couple who find themselves having to acceept the ancestral tradition to help save their adopted b...
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A young priest attempts to commit suicide after losing his faith but God has different plans for him, when a sex worker barges into his apartment and ...
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A police operator receives a call from a woman standing on the edge of a building, preparing to jump - he must now find a way to convince her not to t...
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Isaiah is part of a trio of robbers who commits small robberies; however after a robbery that almost goes wrong, he realizes that he needs to abandon ...
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Growing up she has always wanted to be a performer excelling in drama, poetry and athletics in both primary and high school. She has produced a film d...
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Spinners is a Telenovela about three friends who just graduated and can't seem to find employment then later resort to crime. Thabiso (The Hacker) Kha...
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I am Retshegofaditswe Kgomo, a young third year producing student and current content producer who is currently focused on music video production. I w...
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A grief-stricken father, Dehan, relives his memories of his late wife, Lena, through the use of a high-tech device (the REM), that lets Dehan control ...
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Shaun Gouws is the head of undergrad film productions at the AFDA Johannesburg campus....
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A black romantic telenovela aimed at reflecting on the mental slavery and internalized racial oppression of the black people in KwaZulu Natal. The y...
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Sinesipo Lubelwana, Producer. She was born in Mthatha, Eastern Cape. She lived in Bhisho for 11 years and went to Kingsridge Girl’s High School in K...
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The documentary portrays the lives of different people from different backgrounds who are a part of the skhothane culture and are influenced by it dif...
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A 3rd year AFDA student, presenting their work for Experimental festival and Graduation Festival....
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I am passionate about my field of training and am a dedicated and focused person. I am highly self-motivated and operate with equal efficiency alone o...
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UMHLABA is a telenovela about the Zulu and Xhosa royal families that break a peace treaty that was forged 140 years ago after the discovery of coal is...
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The story of eManzini is set in stone on one unfaithful night. Nokuthula is a young female who has just recently completed her initiation to become a...
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Tiffani Joy is a recent graduate from AFDA, The South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance where she studied film writing, dir...
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iJob iJob is a 24 minute telenovela that depicts the lives of two brothers who are secretly running an illegal underground gold mine. The one brother...
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Structure me Perfect is a documentary about the different types of body shaming that has happened and continues to happen in and around us. It shows h...
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Tshepo Leslie Ledwaba Producing student 3rd Year Afda student (JHB)...
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I was born in the Eastern Cape (King William’s Town). Then I Moved to East London due to my father’s business expansion. Schooled in Selborne Prim...
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Zani Smuts is a final year film student who is extremely passionate about the South African film and TV industry. Her big passion is making Afrikaans ...
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A psychological thriller centered on former prison therapist, Dr Gilbert Gumede who started to become some of twisted patients after a traumatic exper...
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