Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking
 

Who is Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking?
 

BigFish has been recognized for its ground breaking initiatives in tertiary education for the film and TV Sector. Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking (BigFish) was originally established in 2003 by CEO Dr Melanie Chait, as the Film and TV Unit at Monash South Africa.  In June 2007, the school relocated to the hub of the film and TV industry in Auckland Park, Johannesburg and as part of this relocation was renamed Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking. The organisation is incorporated under section 21 of the companies act and is a public benefit organisation (18A), which is also registered with Department of Social Development as a non-profit organisation.

In South Africa alone, it is estimated that 40% of young people under the age of 25 who have successfully completed secondary school are unemployed and will remain so.

Vision

BigFish aims to provide students with world class training and to produce socially responsible and progressive filmmakers who help transform society as well as contribute to building an indigenous filmmaking culture.

BigFish aims to develop young peoples’ lives who have successfully completed secondary school, but who may not have access to funding for post secondary or tertiary education, and to make them economically sustainable.

Mission

To devise and implement cutting edge training interventions to address skills shortages and to give talented young people training and employment in the film and TV industry, thereby contributing to job creation, upskilling as well as developing a vibrant film and television sector and addressing poverty eradication.

Our Objectives

• To train young filmmakers to impact their worlds through storytelling and to affect social change.
• To promote women and youth in the film industry thereby challenging the ‘status quo’ and introduce new voices through presenting stories not previously told.
• To enable young filmmakers to become economically sustainable through working in the industry.
   

2009, China - Sichuan TV Festival, Gold Panda Award, Best Documentary Cinematography, for Soul Train