Karabo Likhethe

Inspired by different visual works from quirky photography and uncanny paintings, grimy music videos and rugged documentaries, to polished fashion films and posh jewelry commercials, growing up in Vanderbijlpark gives you a different view on the world around you. Over the years Karabo has written, directed and produced independent narrative and documentary films through his company, Beyond Reel Entertainment, and Swedish company West Coast Visuals. His first feature documentary, Deeply Fried, about the comedian Deep Fried Man, which served as his biggest learning curve; he taught himself how to edit and successfully produce while working on the project. Being independent and broke has its plus sides. Since then, he has worked on multiple award-winning commercials, music videos and films, from being a researcher at Giant Films and Velocity Afrika, to directing and editing his own projects that have been selected to show at multiple festivals around the world. He was nominated for a Loerie Award in 2014 and shortlisted for a MoFilms (Cannes) award in 2016. He's also won a 48 hour film project award, and Best Music Video at the 2016 South African Metal Music Award for a project he co-directed with Ric Shields. In 2021, sits on the board of directors for Reel Partners NPC, a skills development initiative started in 2015, aimed at smoothing the transition from film-school graduate to film-industry professional. And is the festival director for the Creative Youth Festival.