A Short Story // Stage 5 Films on Crafting Cinematic Miniatures

Stage 5 Films has been quietly participating in evolving South African cinema, one short film at a time. Over the years, we’ve produced eight remarkable short films, each a testament to our commitment to storytelling and nurturing talent, both emerging and established.

Why short films? For us, they’re more than just brief narratives – they’re opportunities to experiment, take risks, and discover new voices. “Short films are our creative laboratory,” explains Dylan Voogt, Co-Founder of Stage 5 Films. “They allow us to experiment, take calculated risks, and discover new voices. We’re developing both films and filmmakers.”

Our journey has been marked by meaningful collaborations with numerous Writers, Directors and Producers, whose work we admire, and talent we may have recognized and supported at early stages of their careers. 

The not uncommon potential of short films as launchpads for bigger projects, has been collectively realized twice. Starting as short films, both Willem Grobler, who directed “Hum” and recently the writer of “Heart of The Hunter” (Netflix), as well as “Cowboy Dan,” directed by Wynand Louw, known for “The Illuminated (Showmax)”, blossomed into feature films in development with Multichoice – MNET, KykNET.

Moreover Philip Rademeyer’s “In Die Verloop Van” and Hanneke Schutte’s “Liminale” both competed at the 2024 Silwerskermfees, further extending our commitment to collaboration with South Africa’s premier Afrikaans film festival. Pushing established talent’s work harder and hopefully further into the spotlight.

But it’s not just about accolades. We’re driven by a desire to tell stories that matter. Jolynn Minnaar’s gut wrenching “Valma Veronica” tackles issues of life, growing old, love and death. Stephen Abbot’s “Lazy Suzan” used innovative camera techniques to generate perspective. These kind of experimental narrative and technical innovation thrive in the short format, allowing for focused exploration of complex themes.

Our approach often aligns with the Auteur theory, where directors are also the writers of their projects. This ensures a singular vision and authenticity that resonates with audiences. “When the vision is singular, the impact is stronger,” notes Marcelle Du Toit, Producing Partner at Stage 5 Films. However we do not do it alone and co-production and collaborating with fellow producers and distribution, broadcast and streamers is essential.

We’ve been fortunate to work with a diverse range of storytellers and genres. From the proof of concept Sci-Fi creature madness of “Apocalypse Now Now” by Sean Drummond and Michael Matthews(Love & Monsters) to the award-winning ” Lakutshon Ilanga” by Phumi Morare, our portfolio reflects the rich tapestry of South African talent.

Speaking of awards, Morare’s “Lakutshon Ilanga” brought us to the global stage, winning the Student Academy Award for Best Short Film in 2022, as well as an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short (Live Action). This recognition not only validates our approach but also shines a spotlight on South African cinema.

As we look to the future, we’re excited about the new frontiers in short filmmaking, particularly the potential of AI in storytelling. While we remain committed to human creativity, we see AI as a tool that could enhance our work, especially in the realm of short films. “AI could offer new ways to visualize ideas quickly, perfect for the rapid iteration that short films allow,” Voogt muses.

The beauty of short films lies in their ability to adapt to new technologies and storytelling methods. As we explore the possibilities of AI, we’re reminded of why we fell in love with short films in the first place: their power to innovate, surprise, and move audiences in just a few minutes.

In essence, our journey at Stage 5 Films is about more than just making short films. It’s about crafting experiences, launching careers, and contributing to the rich tapestry of South African cinema. As we stand on the cusp of new technological frontiers, we remain committed to our core belief: that powerful stories, matter! Irrespective of their length, they have the ability to change perspectives and touch hearts.