Producing successful Black female-fronted comedy in South Africa is no joke, but two Black female producers and writers are determined to bring about change in the industry. Reabetswe Moeti-Vogt and Zoe Ramushu recently showcased their film 'Real Estate Sisters' at the 6th Joburg Film Festival in South Africa.
'Real Estate Sisters' is a comedy film that follows two broke but sassy real estate sisters navigating the world of selling high-end homes. The movie, funded by the National Film and Video Foundation and Netflix, stars Gina Koffman and Leera Mthethwa as the Black female leads.
Moeti-Vogt, the helmer-writer of the project, and Ramushu, the producer, are leading the charge for more diverse voices in the industry. Ramushu is also the co-founder of Sisters Working in Film and Television (Swift), a non-profit organization established in 2016 to support women in the film business.
Both Moeti-Vogt and Ramushu emphasize the importance of comedy as a genre that can deliver powerful messages while providing joy and entertainment to audiences. They highlight the need for more representation behind the camera, particularly in technical roles, to drive transformation in the industry.
Ramushu recently developed an app called Wrapped to help productions staff up with diversity, addressing the challenges they faced while crewing up for 'Real Estate Sisters.' The app aims to connect productions with a more diverse pool of talent.
Moeti-Vogt advocates for mentorship programs to nurture young talent and increase representation of Black females in key roles such as line producers, DOPs, and sound engineers. She stresses the importance of immersing oneself in the local industry and supporting South African content.
Both producers are committed to driving change in the South African film industry by prioritizing diversity and inclusion in their projects. Their efforts reflect a broader movement towards a more representative and equitable industry landscape.
