Home | Sisters Working in Film & Television

About US

Sisters Working in Film & Television (SWIFT) exists to ensure that women’s voices are heard, their talent recognised, their stories told!

WHO WE ARE:

Sisters Working in Film & Television (SWIFT) is a non-profit organisation committed to championing empowerment and access to equal opportunities for women in a previously male-dominated industry, by advocating for change from the historical imbalances and a legacy that discriminated against women in South Africa. With current representation in Durban, Johannesburg, Limpopo, and Cape Town, SWIFT is in a process of expanding its reach to all 9 provinces through its membership drive events, core programmes, projects and industry initiatives that we are involved and participate in. The intention is to cement SWIFT’s presence nationally and internationally in the long term.

Our Team

Latest News

Roberta Durrant is a lifetime achievement award winner and seasoned Creative Producer

Female Filmmaker Friday features Pearl Munonde the Founder & Executive Producer at ŃwaChasiya Media, also Board member of SWIFT & Durban FilmMart

[International News] New Chapter for Women in Film: SWIFT Namibia Launches

SWIFT Members Shine at Comic Con Cape Town

Our
Vision

Catalysts of Innovation, Gender Equality, and Industry Empowerment.
SWIFT aims to be a catalyst for gender equality, transformation and economic empowerment for women across the audio-visual industry within the content-creation ecosystem.

Our
Mission

Bridging Gender Gaps, Fostering Inclusivity, and Empowering Women in the Audio-Visual Industry.

Core
Values

Purpose-Driven Collectively

Integrity in Leadership

Industry Transformation Advocacy

Member Empowerment through Collaboration

PROGRAMMES

Swift Core Programmes

SWIFT’s strategic intent focuses on the following three (3) Core Programmes to facilitate the implementation of the organisation’s vision and goals. The core programmes are what drives SWIFT, constituted as Tehnical Committees within the Board. Each program has its own strategic focus, objectives and implementation plans, delivered as annual projects supported by activations, in collaboration with key stakeholders through SWIFT’s industry partnerships.

Advocacy

Advocate for equality, transformation, empowerment, representation of women throughout the industry value chain, access to work opportunities and safety for women in their work environment.

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Skills & Mentorship Programme

This programme provides engagement platforms, creates mentorship and training opportunities, and facilitates support structures for emerging filmmakers. It focuses on upskilling experienced women and creating further training opportunities.

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Sisterhood Cinema

The Sisterhood Cinema programme is dedicated to supporting and promoting content development by providing networking opportunities and platforms to showcase work created by SWIFT members and women in the film, television, and entertainment landscape.

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MEMBERSHIP

Swift Membership

Swift membership is open to women who work in the audio-visual industry value ecosystem who will be bound by SWIFT’s membership policy, constitution, and code of conduct. Members select and pay for an annual subscription to access various opportunities presented within the network.

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Affiliate membership is available to partner organisations, production houses, corporates, academia, and any other party with an interest in furthering diversity & inclusion and the socio-economic transformation of women in South Africa in general.

SWIFT Membership expands the industry network experience through the organisation’s curated strategy to enhance the representation of women across the audio-visual industry value chain in the following ways:

A wide range of project collaborations with esteemed women working in the audio-visual industry.

Creation of opportunities by facilitating content-creation including access to markets, promotion of practitioners locally and internationally through strategic interventions, collaboration and networking.

Partnerships with relevant important industry stakeholders in the value chain.

Join Us

Testimonials

Being a swiftie is so necessary in our society! Why?:
- I love connecting with so many amazing women! It's a vibrant community.
- A necessary organisation for women in film and television
- My highlight for being a SWIFT member is the benefit of staying updated, and knowing about opportunities that would have easily passed me by.

Elelwani Netshifhire

My journey with SWIFT has been remarkable and it still continues to be because there is sisterhood, warmth and support. The opportunities I’ve embarked on through what was shared within the platform is always a beautiful reminder that I am worthy. Being in the #swiftcommunity demystifies so many stereotypes held against what women are to one another and is in fact the birthplace of steadiness and anchorship.

Mapitso Ralephata

I am new to the SWIFT family, and it has been more of a sisterhood for me, my highlight of being a SWIFT member is being a part of a community that creates opportunities for and by women. SWIFT has shown me unity and has amplified my voice as a female Filmmaker. One of their core programs I have benefitted from immensely are the Advocacy and Skills & Mentorship programs. SWIFT has made me aware of what my rights are as a female filmmaker on set. I have also grasped so much relevant knowledge since being a part of SWIFT, there are endless networking opportunities!

Carla Deyzel

I find it incredibly inspiring to hear success stories from filmmakers who are a part of SWIFT, and it's an honour to be a part of a community that values knowledge sharing and collaboration over gatekeeping and competition. We all have something unique and important to contribute to the world of cinema, and I believe that when we support each other's voices and advocate for inclusive representation, the possibilities for storytelling are truly limitless. It's exciting to be a part of a movement that's working to break down barriers and open doors for new talent, and I can't wait to see what we can achieve together.

Gabriella Blumberg

What I love most about being part of the SWIFT community is the sense of camaraderie and family that's consistently present. It's incredible to see women lifting each other up, supporting each other, and opening doors for one another. When I was just starting out, I had the good fortune to receive help and encouragement from countless women in the industry, and I'll always be grateful for their contributions during those early years. Now, it's inspiring to see an entire community of women doing the same for others and making strides toward a more inclusive and supportive film industry.

Aliki Saragas-Georgiou