Roberta Durrant

Roberta Durrant is a creative director/producer and show runner of television and film. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in Drama and English from University of Stellenbosch. For the first ten years of her career she acted and directed in theatre and film, firstly in South Africa and from 1977 in London where she worked with Stephen Berkoff , at the Young Vic Theatre and at The Edinburgh Festival achieving a Fringe First for Don Juan and Pieter Dirk Uys' Paradise is Closing Down, which she directed. Roberta has served as a member of the National Executive Committee of the Independent Producer's Organization for many years. She is a past President of Women in Film, she has been invited as a guest lecturer to both the University of Cape Town and AFDA. In 2012 she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa for her contribution to the film and television industry. As well as a Golden Plumes Award in 2006 for her 30 year contribution to the South African Broadcast and Television Industry. She serves on the board for Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT). She has created and worked as director/producer/show runner on several long running, award winning drama series and sitcoms for South African broadcasters: Ring of Lies, Home Affairs, Montana, Izingane Zobaba, Sokhulu and Partners, Shreds and Dreams, Saints and Sinners, Z'bondiwe, Isikizi, Forced Love, and sitcoms: Sgudi Snaysi, Going Up, About Us, Madam & Eve, SOS, Fishy Feshuns, Going Up Again, Mazinyo dot Q, and Stokvel. Her most recent work includes S'Phiwo for MM, Mince jou hare for Showmax, Diepe Waters for Kyknet, and Arendsvlei and Skemergrond for Kyknet and Kie. Her television drama series have received international recognition including: Finalist Drama International Emmy (Sokhulu and Partners- 2009) Semi-finalist Drama International Emmy Awards (Home Affairs- 2006) Finalist Banff Canada (Home Affairs- 2007) Rose d'Or Switzerland (Home Affairs- 2007) Finalist Drama International Emmy Awards (Home Affairs- 2007) Second Prize Best Sitcom Golden Rose Awards Switzerland (Madam & Eve- 2002) Runner-up Sitcom in International Emmy Awards New York (Stokvel - 2004) Local awards include numerous SAFTA awards and nominations including: Best ensemble TV comedy - SAFTA Award for 2010 and 2012 Best Editing for Drama - SAFTA Award 2016 Best made for TV movie - SAFTA 2017 Best Children's Programme - SAFTA 2017 Best art direction - Arendsvlei 2020 Best editing - Diepe Waters 2023 Her filmography includes: Love, Lies and Hybrids for Box Office in 2021. Home Affairs part 1 & 2 for MNet in 2020. Herb & Moon for MNet in 2021. Pinky Pinky a horror film for Mzansi Magic in 2020. Krotoa (distributed by Ster Kinekor and Shoreline Entertainment) Winner of 9 international awards including Best Film at the Harlem International Film Festival and The Montreal International Black Film festival. Felix (Won 17 International Awards including TIFF Kids Festival Young People's Jury Award for Best Feature Film in 2014; Audience Choice Award at Durban International Film Festival in South Africa, in 2013; Lucas award for Best Film at the Lucas International Children's Film Festival in Frankfurt, Germany; Inside Out (successfully distributed by Ster Kinekor and Icon Entertainment); Skilpoppe (Mnet Movie of the Month) Ingoma (Won 6 SAFTAs 2016 for best Made for TV Film)