Production company JOJX has added director Tebogo Malope to its roster for exclusive commercial representation in the U.S. This marks the first U.S. spot production house roost in the U.S. for Malope, also known as Tebza, who hails from Johannesburg, South Africa. He has grown a reputation for being a leading voice for African narratives and now he enters the American ad market.
Tebza has received assorted awards for his ads and music videos in South Africa–––including Ciclope Africa, the Channel O awards, the SAFTAS, and the South African Hip Hop Awards (SAHHA)–––as well as international awards such as a Cannes Gold Lion and a D&AD Pencil. His commercial clients include Samsung, McDonald’s, Nando’s, Vodafone, Hunter’s Dry, Cadbury, Coca-Cola and KFC.
Tebza’s passion for long-form storytelling is evidenced by the success of his debut feature film For Love and Broken Bones, which earned the status of most-nominated feature in South African film awards history, by both local and international shows. He earned Best Film at the Portland Film Festival.
Tebza has just completed directing Africa’s first original Netflix series, due for release in 2020. His prior work for three different South African television series’ earned a joint viewership of more than 13 million per week.
Tebza said, “I’m happiest when I’m telling stories, they have the ability to unite, intrigue, provoke, and create change to empower humanity. At its best, a story can do all. I couldn’t be more excited to be with JOJX and to move into a new space with the ability to collaborate with new creatives and agencies and to create work for a wider audience.”
Jackson Morton, EP and partner at the L.A.-based JOJX, added, “Tebza’s style is fearless and his ability to express that vision comes from years of experience. His film and TV work capture a unique window into the soul and his commercial work is equally spirited and intriguing.”
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More