Writers Guild of South Africa

Silence protects broken systems. The WGSA calls for accountability, fair labour practices and immediate restitution for all affected workers linked to the production of Pimville, including writers. Full statement attached. #WGSA #WorkersRights #WritersMatter #SouthAfricanTV

2026 WGSA MUSE AWARDS Submissions are now open for the 2026 WGSA Muse Awards. The WGSA Muse Awards celebrate and honour the creativity and craft of performance writing, such as audio-visual, stage and narrative game writing, in Africa. The WGSA Muse Awards is only open to WGSA MEMBERS. Submissions are open in all genres and in all South African official languages for the following categories: • Film • Stage • Radio • Television • Animation • Documentaries • Mobile/Web Series Submission Fees for the 2026 WGSA Muse Awards: WGSA MEMBERS: R200 per entry An additional full-page review is available at an extra R100. PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU READ AND UNDERSTAND THE GUIDELINES /entries/ Need help? Contact us on [email protected] Visit our website for more information: /wgsa-muse-awards/ An award for writers by writers!

🎬 YOUR STORY. YOUR VISION. YOUR MOMENT. 🎥✨⁠ ⁠ Calling all filmmakers⁠ ⁠ Last year, Onthou vi Fredo? won BEST DOCUMENTARY at the FAME Shorts Film Festival 2025 🏆⁠ ⁠ Powerful, personal, and unforgettable storytelling stood out. Yours can too.⁠ ⁠ The FAME Shorts Film Festival 2026 is now open for submissions. Share your documentary or short film with audiences, industry leaders, and international buyers on one of Africa’s biggest stages.⁠ ⁠ 📅 Submission deadline: 22 May 2026⁠ ✨ This is your opportunity to be seen and celebrated.⁠ ⁠ 👉 Submit your film here (Copy and Paste Link in Browser):⁠ /FAMEShortsFilmFestival⁠ ⁠ 👉 Or find the live link in the bio at the top of the FWA Instagram page.⁠ ⁠ 📸 Image credit: Courtesy of the Onthou vi Fredo? team.⁠ ⁠ #FAMEShortsFilmFestival #ShortFilms #DocumentaryFilm #AfricanStories #FilmFestival #Storytelling #Creativity #Innovation #CapeTownFilm

Writing for the Stage with Gavin Werner A practical webinar on writing for theatre, aimed particularly at people without formal writing training, and focused on developing meaningful plays with limited resources through consistency, collaboration, and iteration. Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2026 Time: 18:00 - 19:00 SAST Register by clicking the link in our bio In this webinar, Gavin Werner discusses his personal approach to writing for the stage, drawing from his experience as an actor, director, and playwright. Gavin came to writing relatively late and without formal training. His plays have been successfully staged over multiple runs and have been well received by critics and audiences alike, with “Spanish Steps” winning a WGSA Muse Award for Best Produced Play. The webinar focuses specifically on theatre writing, and on the unique advantages available to playwrights: the ability for a stage play to evolve through rehearsal, collaboration, performance, and audience feedback. Topics include discovering the tensions, questions, and obsessions that are unique to you and worth writing about, developing dialogue through rough drafting and refinement, and the importance of consistency as the foundation for creative breakthroughs. The webinar may be particularly useful for first-time or developing playwrights who are trying to build a writing practice alongside work, family, and everyday life, and who are interested in practical, low-budget ways of developing theatrical work. REGISTER TODAY! NB: Registration is essential. WGSA members may attend free of charge. We also invite members of our sister organisations Safrea and DFA to attend free of charge. Non-members pay ZAR 75.00. The meeting link will be shared with all registered participants via email

DON’T JUST CREATE — PITCH⁠ ⁠ ⏳ 1 month to go until submissions close for the Project Pitch Platform at MIP Africa. Are you ready to make your next move?⁠ ⁠ This is your opportunity to present your project to leading industry decision-makers at MIP Africa during FAME Week Africa.⁠ ⁠ Take your project beyond the idea stage and place it in front of the people shaping the future of film, television, and entertainment across Africa and beyond 🌍⁠ ⁠ Whether you're developing a bold new series, feature film, documentary, or innovative content format, this platform is designed to help creators connect, collaborate, and unlock new opportunities.⁠ ⁠ Don’t just create — pitch.⁠ ⁠ 📆 Submissions close: 12 June 2026⁠ 💡 Your next breakthrough could start here.⁠ ⁠ 🔗 Submit your project (copy and paste into your browser):⁠ /r/TPx7JNgMGL⁠ ⁠ #ProjectPitchPlatform #MIPAfrica #FAMEWeekAfrica #FilmIndustry #TVProducers #ContentCreators #AfricanStorytelling #PitchYourProject #CreativeIndustry #FilmOpportunities #NextBigIdea #Storytellers #FilmAfrica #GlobalContent #EntertainmentIndustry

Writers are no longer creating only for television and film. A new wave of mobile-first storytelling is reshaping the industry. Join acclaimed actor, producer and entrepreneur Hlomla Dandala as he unpacks the rise of vertical content and what it means for writers looking to diversify their craft and income opportunities. Dandala will also share insights into his new mobile-first storytelling platform, HEKTIK, and how vertical content is opening new possibilities for creators in the digital entertainment space. Webinar details: Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026 Time: 18:00 - 19:00 SAST Register using the link in bio or scan the QR code Meet the Speaker Hlomla Dandala is an acclaimed South African actor, director, producer and entrepreneur with over two decades of experience in the film and television industry. Known for iconic roles in productions such as Isidingo, Jacob’s Cross and The River, Hlomla has built a career that spans performance, directing, producing and media innovation. He is also the founder of HEKTIK, a platform focused on vertical storytelling and mobile-first content, exploring new opportunities for creators in the evolving digital entertainment landscape. REGISTER TODAY! NB: Registration is essential.WGSA members may attend free of charge. We also invite members of our sister organisations Safrea and DFA to attend free of charge. Non-members pay ZAR 75.00. The meeting link will be shared with all registered participants via email #WGSA #Screenwriting #VerticalStorytelling #HEKTIK #FilmIndustry

Today, we celebrate 17 years of the Writers Guild of South Africa! 🎉 Thank you to every member, partner, and council member who has been part of this journey. Your passion, creativity, support, and dedication have helped shape the Guild into what it is today. Over the years, we’ve built a strong community of storytellers, and we’re proud of everything we’ve achieved together. Here’s to continuing to champion South African writers and the stories that matter. With gratitude, The Writers Guild of South Africa

There’s a moment where the writing stops being an idea… and becomes something deeply human. Devon Delmar reflects on the emotional journey of storytelling - from the intensity of writing a scene, to the technical demands of production, and finally rediscovering the emotional truth of the moment in performance. A reminder that storytelling is never just about cameras, lighting or dialogue. It’s about people, responsibility, and treating every story with care. #WGSA #Storytelling #Screenwriters #Filmmaking #SouthAfricanCinema #WritersGuild #Carissa #WriterGuildofSouthAfrica

WGSA members now have exclusive access to a curated selection of Stage 32 webinars at 50% off. Explore training designed to support writers navigating: ✍️ Vertical storytelling 🎬 Micro-drama formats 💼 Writer entrepreneurship 🔐 Packaging and protecting IP WGSA Members to contact [email protected] to receive the discount code Offer valid until 31 May 2026. View selected webinars here: /wgsa-members-receive-exclusive-50-discount-on-selected-stage-32-webinars/ #WGSA #Stage32 #VerticalStorytelling #Screenwriting

Writing is your craft. Business is your power. If you are ready to establish a structured business, this session is for you. Writers Who Mean Business is a practical session by Andrina Moodley from Story Oasis focused on helping writers understand the business side of their work. 📅 06 May 2026 ⏰ 18:00 – 20:00 Register here: https://forms.gle/ndaWqT4uVF5zSRqj6 From contracts to invoicing, from due diligence to branding, we cover what you need to build a sustainable creative career. WGSA #StoryOasis #CreativeEntrepreneur #WritersCommunity #FilmBusiness #ContentCreators

This vital workshop is designed for professional writers who have had 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 on stage, screen, radio or digital platforms. Hosted by the Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) in partnership with the Labour Research Service (LRS), the session will focus on: * 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 * 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 * 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 WGSA exists to protect, empower and develop South African performance writers - those who create work meant to be performed across film, television, radio, theatre, animation, podcasts and digital media. This session is intended for experienced writers working across these sectors. 📍 SAE Institute, Johannesburg Campus 2nd Floor, Design District Building, 7 Keyes Avenue, Corner Tyrwhitt Avenue, Rosebank, 2196 📅 Saturday, 25 April 2026 ⏰08:00 – 16:00 SAST 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://forms.gle/yG1MKknHb7ksJJz58 Deadline: 23 April 2026 Non-WGSA members who wish to attend must sign up to become members of the Guild.

This vital workshop is designed for professional writers who have had 𝐚𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 on stage, screen, radio or digital platforms. Hosted by the Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) in partnership with the Labour Research Service (LRS), the session will focus on: • 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 • 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 • 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 WGSA exists to protect, empower and develop South African performance writers - those who create work meant to be performed across film, television, radio, theatre, animation, podcasts and digital media. This session is intended for experienced writers working across these sectors. 📍 SAE Institute, Johannesburg Campus 2nd Floor, Design District Building, 7 Keyes Avenue, Corner Tyrwhitt Avenue, Rosebank, 2196 📅 Saturday, 25 April 2026 ⏰08:00 – 16:00 SAST 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://forms.gle/yG1MKknHb7ksJJz58 Deadline: 23 April 2026 Non-WGSA members who wish to attend must sign up to become members of the Guild.