Rani Sitaram: A Rising Star in South African Cinema
Image: Supplied
HAVING received two nominations at the 2025 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Awards in the category of Best Supporting Actress – Film, Rani Sitaram, the producer of Greytown Girl, believes this further affirms her status as a creative force committed to impactful storytelling.
Her latest project is not only making waves globally, but it has further cemented her reputation as a filmmaker dedicated to telling stories that matter.
Funded by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZNTAFA), her journey exemplifies how targeted investment in local talent can produce content that resonates across continents.
Greytown Girl has already garnered international acclaim, winning a string of awards.
The film scooped Best Feature Film at the Los Angeles Movie and Music Awards, Best African Film at the 2025 Cannes Film Awards, with prestigious selections earned at the Nelson Mandela Children's Film Festival, the 30th International Human Rights Conference, as well as at festivals in Barcelona and New York.
Yet despite this global recognition, Sitaram says that being nominated for a Simon Mabhunu Sabela Award holds a deeply personal significance.
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Greytown Girl has already garnered international acclaim, winning a string of awards.
Image: Supplied
'It's really heartwarming to be acknowledged by our home province and country,' she shares.
Central to the success of Greytown Girl has been the support of KZNTAFA.
For Sitaram, this backing was 'vital and invaluable,' enabling her to maintain high production values and build a story with strong local relevance and global appeal. The impact was not just financial. 'KZNTAFA has created a support structure around me,' she says.
'As an independent producer, this amazing 'holding space' allowed me to eliminate challenges and draw on the expertise of seasoned professionals.'
Committed to developing the creative economy of her province, Sitaram ensured that more than 75% of the suppliers and service providers for the film were based in KwaZulu-Natal.
Through her company, East Coast Media, which includes a fully accredited training institution, she has created opportunities for the youth and underrepresented communities, including the disability sector.
As she continues to write, produce, and mentor from her KZN base, Sitaram is already working on new projects.
Her advice for potential filmmakers is to: 'Start with a story that matters and stay rooted in your region.'
Thanks to the catalytic support of KZNTAFA, Sitaram is not only raising the flag for KwaZulu-Natal's film sector but she is also proving that local stories, when authentically told, can find a place on the world stage.
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