CRAIG FREIMOND

Writer/director

Craig completed his Drama degree at Wits University in 1988. Since then, he has worked as a writer and director in theatre, television and film. Craig initially worked as a theatre director, directing more than twenty stage productions. In 2004 Craig wrote and directed his first feature film, the black comedy, Gums & Noses which was adapted from his play of the same name. Gums & Noses won the Apollo film festival award for best feature in 2004.  His play “The King of Laughter” won three Naledi awards in 2004, including best new play, best director and best supporting actor. Craig worked on several TV comedy series including the irreverent sketch show Not quite Friday night and the sitcom Scoop Schoombie. He co-created and directed two seasons of the improvised comedy series “Sorted” which was nominated for an international Emmy award for comedy. In 2009 Craig wrote and directed his second feature film Jozi, a comedy about the highs and lows of a comedy writer in Johannesburg. In 2010 Craig directed the drama Death of a Colonialist by Greg Latter for the stage. The play won three Naledi awards, Best production, best actor for Jamie Bartlett and best director. In 2012 Craig wrote and directed his third feature film, Material, a comedy drama about a young Muslim man who works in his father’s material shop but dreams of being a stand-up comedian. The film had an extremely successful theatrical run and won five 2013 SAFTA awards including, best actor, best supporting actor, best director, best sound design and best film. Craig has worked on the Rhythm City (daily drama) writing team for the last twelve years as a writer, a story and script editor. Craig wrote and directed his fourth feature film, the true-life drama Beyond the River with Heartlines and Quizzical pictures, the film was released in April 2017. It had a fantastical theatrical release, was nominated for several awards and has played at festivals across the globe.  He was a co-writer on the feature film Vaya, directed by Akin Omotoso, which played at Toronto, Berlin and many other big festivals and garnered several awards.  Craig has completed directing a sequel to his film material called New Material which is scheduled for release later this year.  He is currently developing several new film projects, including:  the madcap political satire Weekend Special, Innocent, a human drama about a street child in Durban developed with Blonde to black pictures and Lesedi, a new feature script based on the Life Esidemi saga.

Craig’s writing work in Nigeria include the TV series, Castle & Castle and Nigeria 2099. He also co-wrote the feature film Olature and part one of the film Blood Sisters for Netflix.

New television projects in SA include, Cold Case Confession (BENEATH), a true-life inspired crime series based on Alex Yeliseev’s book of the same name. An adaptation of Mandla Langa’s novel, A texture of Shadows is also at pilot and pitch stage. He has also written a pilot based on Jonny Steinberg’s book Midlands as part of the African Book Club television series. With Ochre pictures and M-net, he is currently writing a pilot based on the Krugersdorp murders, called Devil’s town.