Lauren Clifford-Holmes

I am a multi-skilled filmmaker and photographer, who shot and edited video and ran multimedia teams for top investigative news organisations and NGOs in South Africa, before moving into the documentary film world. I am currently the sole director of LCH MEDIA (PTY) LTD., where I work with film production houses in different production, line producing and producing roles. I can turn my hand to multiple aspects of the film production process, from creative conceptualisation to project delivery. I have worked on feature length documentaries and documentary series for broadcast around Africa and the globe. I am a storyteller at heart and am driven to make films and take photographs that inspire, that make a difference, create debate and challenge the status quo. Starting my career in digital journalism in 2008, I helped found and lead the multimedia department for South Africa's premier breaking news site -- News24. Here we pioneered development of online news video, audio-photo essays and other forms of digital media. I moved to Johannesburg to establish the Mail & Guardian's multimedia section in 2010. I ran this department for six years, responsible for producing and overseeing daily digital news content production and distribution. I went on to freelance for several local and international NGOs including filming a report for Human Rights Watch in Malawi. I also worked for AWARD's US-AID funded environmentally focused water program. Here I produced video and photographs that documented the extent of the problems being faced, as well as the solution driven approached to change. I turned to documentary film in 2015, taking on the role of Production Manager of factual and advocacy at Fireworx Media. I worked on the feature doc, Whispering Truth To Power and multiple productions for China Global Television Network with films shot all over Africa. I worked on advocacy-related communication campaigns for major clients such as the Global Partnership to End Violence and the European Union Delegation to South Africa. In 2018 I co-founded Story Scope with three partners, taking on the role of Head of Production of documentary and advocacy projects. For two years I produced a 15-episode contract for CGTN's Faces of Africa documentary series, worked as Line Producer on the award-winning investigative documentary Influence as well as several other projects. In 2020 I set up LCH MEDIA (PTY) LTD and am co-producing a feature documentary in Libya for CGTN's Big Story Africa 60' documentary series. I am project coordinator and Key Expert on a large contract for South Africa's National Treasury and the European Union Delegation to South Africa, which seeks to enhance the visibility of the joint development work achieved between government and the EUD over the last 25 years.