I had the honor a few years back of working with multi-talented director Stephen de Villiers. I’ve been incredibly fortunate over the years to work with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including the likes of Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Ryan Reynolds and Matt Damon. Stephen is such a giving, professional and passionate filmmaker and a true “actor’s director”. The film we worked on together required a touch of sensitivity, and Stephen certainly rose to the challenge of helping her bring the story to life with class and expertise. He managed to capture a vulnerability and intensity on film, which certainly helped raise the profile of the short film that premiered at Cannes and is now development for a full feature film. This could not have been achieved without Stephen’s mastery and I look forward to working with him again should the opportunity arise.
STEPHEN DE VILLIERS
Originally from South Africa, Stephen is a writer/director who is now proud to call both Australia and South Africa home. A graduate of the directing program at the Australian Film Television Radio School (AFTRS), he has directed more than 12 narrative films including Legend, a 20-min segment of the AFTRS/NIDA portmanteau feature film, Before the Rain (2009) written by Judy Morris. Throughout his career, he is privileged to have worked with some of South Africa and Australia’s top actors, including Ian Robers (Tstosi), Sean Cameron Michael (24, Black Sails), Socratis Otto (Wentworth, X-Men Origins) and Leanna Walsman (Star Wars, Ep 2, 7 Signs of Ambiguity).
Past festival highlights include screening as part of the Short Film Metrage at Cannes, while Super Sounds, his latest short, has screened at over 35 festivals with highlights including Giffoni (Italy), Sequence Court-Metrage (France), Flickerfest (Sydney), Byron Bay, San Francisco International Film Festival, Reel Abilities (NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia), being commissioned to screen in Virgin In-Flight Entertainment, and went on to win Best Film and Best Director at the Fleurieu Film Festival (2016).
In 2016, he was a finalist in the Weinstein Co. Lexus Global Fellowship as well as one of the twenty finalists in the Lexus Australia Short Film Fellowship.
In a commercial capacity, he has been directing full time for 7 years, producing over 200 branded documentaries and commercials, with his work taking him to across Asia, Europe the US and Africa.
He is the founder and creative director at Beyond Content, where he is proud to work with brands big and small, in South Australia and beyond.
Testimonials
I worked with Stephen when he was graduating from the directing course at AFTRS. He made such an impression on me – a supreme outlook on life and art, remaining enthusiastic, original, dangerous, and understanding in his vision whilst collaborating with me. A sure bet to bring out the best in his team. And a total delight to front to his set each day. He showed masterful potential and his leadership serves as an inspiration for those he works with.
Filmography
- 2014 Super Sounds. (13 mins). Short film. Writer/Director. D2V Films. DOP. Aaron Gully. Australia
- 2012 A Shot at the Big Time. (10 mins). Short film. Budget: $10k. Director. Just Do It Productions. DOP: Luke Pallett. South Africa
- 2009 In Hearts Left Behind. (15 mins). Short Film. Budget: $40k. Writer/Director. AFTRS. DOP: Ross Giardina. 35mm/S16mm. NSW
- 2009 Legend. (20 mins). Short Film. Director. Budget: $1m. AFTRS. DOP: Ross Giardina. Writer: Judy Morris. Producer: Sandra Levy.
- 2009 Far From Home. (7 Mins). Documentary. Writer/Director. AFTRS. DOP: Rob Morton. HD. NSW2009 Snapshots (20 mins). Short Film. Co-Director/Editor. Garden Village Pictures. DOP: Aaron Schuppan. HD. SA
- 2008 3 Cigarettes (43 mins). Short Feature. Writer/Director/Editor. Flaming Iron Films. DOP: David Willert. HD. South Africa.
- 2008 Band Aid Backpackers (24 mins). Documentary. Director. Vuleka Productions. Producer: Julie Frederikse. HD. South Africa.
- 2007 Commando. (17 mins). Short Film. Writer/Director/Producer. M-Net. DOP: David Willert. HD. South Africa.
- 2005 Takes the Cake. (7 mins). Short Film. Writer/Director/Producer. Flaming Iron Films. DOP: David Willert. DV. South Africa.
Awards & Screenings
2016
I was a finalist (one of 20 worldwide) in the Weinstein Co. Lexus global film I was a finalist in the SFF Lexus Australia Short Film Fellowship
2016 - Super Sounds
Best Film, Best Directing, Best Score
Fleurieu Film Festival, SA
Official Selection, Reel Abilities, NYC
Winner Honourable Mention, Picture This Film Festival, Calgary, Canada
2015 - Super Sounds
Official Selection, San Francisco Int. Film Festival, USA
Official Selection, Byron Bay Film Festival, Byron Bay
Official Selection, Flickerfest, Sydney
Official Selection, Virgin In-Flight Entertainment
2014 - Super Sounds
Official Selection, Adelaide Kids Film Festival, Adelaide
Official Selection, BOFA, Hobart
Official Selection, Sequence-Court Metrage, France
Official Selection, Festival des Antipodes, France
Official Seleciton, Giffoni, Italy
2014 - A Shot at the Big Time
Nominated, Best Director. IMSFF Awards. South Africa
2013 - A Shot at the Big Time
Nominated, Best Film. Ethekwini Film Awards. South Africa.
Official Selection, Short Film Metrage, Cannes Film Festival, France
Winner. Best Cinematography. Ethekwini Film Awards. South Africa.
2010 - Snapshots
Winner, Int. Achievement Award. SoCal Film Festival, USA
2010 - Legend
Bronze Award, Cinematography, ACS Awards, Australia.
Official Finalist, Plus Cameraimage (Camera Image), Poland.
Official Selection, Dungog, Australia.
2009 - 3 Cigarettes
Official Selection, Sehsuchte Student Awards, Berlin.
2008 - 3 Cigarettes
Official Selection, Durban International Film Festival. South Africa.
2008 - Commando
Official Selection, Sequence-Court Metrage, France
Winner Best Cinematography, National Student Awards, South Africa
Top 10 Finalist, Sehsuchte Student Awards, Berlin.
Official Selection, Durban International Film Festival, South Africa
Official Selection, Apollo Film Festival, South Africa.
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