DEBI NETHERSOLE: Producer

Over 20 years in production in the film industry in South Africa gave Debi the opportunity of working with many great names in British and American cinema before she donned her producer's hat.  She worked for Larry Hirsh in distribution, marketing South African features internationally for Intertrade Film Distributors and Genesis Releasing Inc. 

In the mid-1990s Debi relocated to the UK.  She was employed as Head of Development and Acquisitions at Marie Hoy Film & TV, a London-based international film financing and distribution company.

Forming UniTal UK Ltd. in 1999 with Vincent Cox, and bringing Karen Warnock in as a director of the company in 2006, Debi now spends her time between London and Johannesburg developing British and South African film projects.  She looks for properties which are suited to 'genuine co-production' and sensibly require filming in both Europe and Africa.

Debi is co-producing SMOKE & OCHRE for Arry Voorsmit, Riba Films, Netherlands, and David Grieco's SECRETS OF LOVE for Mario Cavazutti, Union Contact, Italy.

  VINCENT G COX ASC, SASC, BSC(f): Director of Photography & Technical Consultant

An international award-winning Director of Photography, Vincent started his photographic career at Killarney Film Studios, Johannesburg. Subsequently working at Pinewood, Shepperton and other major UK studios, he was fortunate to be trained by some of the great British cinematographers.

Filming in British and American studios and on remote locations on various continents, Vincent became adept at resolving technical problems in order to achieve the best images. His hands on experience in film laboratories and expert knowledge of photo-chemistry is of great value. Vincent was elected to membership of the American Society of Cinematographers in 1977 and the South African Society of Cinematographers, shortly afterwards. Vincent is fully conversant in electronic imaging techniques, and creative and innovative by nature. In order to deliver screen magic to the end product, he looks forward to overcoming the challenges of each new film project.

 KAREN WARNOCK AMPS, SAGE: Producer/Post Production Consultant

Karen trained in post production at Beaconsfield, gained her diploma from the Audio School of Engineering, London, and then freelanced for some 15 years in the South African film industry, winning awards for her work. On returning to Britain she was responsible for sound editing independent feature films, various BBC documentaries and dramas, including BAFTA-nominated documentary, "HMS Brilliant".  Karen has joined UniTal as a company director, is responsible for administration and consults on post production.

CHRISTINE MITCHELL: Financial Consultant – UK & Europe

Christine began her career in the film industry working with film directors, Stanley Kubrick, on “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Clockwork Orange”, and Jo Losey, on “The Go Between”. Subsequently Christine worked as Production Manager for a company making industrial/training films for high-profile, British public corporations, which included British Leyland, Du Pont, and National Westminster Bank.

A period spent in public relations led Christine to the City of London where she worked for an intermediary raising money for companies, corporations, and public bodies for assets such as property, aircraft, and films. Her sources of finance were international banks and financial institutions.  In 1990 she set up her own Company, Gemini Finance, which handles the raising of asset based funding through her numerous contacts. 

In 2007, Christine wrote the Business Plan for Gothica Films and, as Executive Producer, oversees the return of private investment in that company.  Simultaneously she is developing pictures on the UniTal slate.

PETER THAGE

Peter is one of South Africa's best loved actors, nationally recognised for his lead role in "Steelman" in the 1990's SABC drama and numerous other acting roles for international  productions.   He is an experienced First Assistant Director, working with international and local directors, and he directs drama for the SABC.   Peter has been more or less 'full-time employed' (as a freelance technician!) by the SABC since 2006.  

Peter holds a 5th Dan Black Belt in Karate and teaches this discipline to the local kids in his home town gym, Katlehong, South Africa.

KHETHO MATHONSI: Financial Consultant & Project Manager – South Africa

Graduating in Social Sciences from the University of Zululand in 1983, Khetho was employed by the Department of Welfare and Pensions for several years. She served in various capacities, including responsibility for re-establishment of The Playhouse, Durban, as a forum for the arts for all cultures.

In 1998 Khetho was appointed Manager Mayoral Projects, Durban Metro. Her responsibilities included organising the acclaimed Mayor’s Achievers’ Awards for the Ethekwini Municipality. 

Currently employed by SALGRO, Khetho’s private ambition is to establish Durban as the nucleus for international film-making in KwaZulu-Natal and Southern Africa - thus disseminating positive information about the region globally, while creating jobs and educating new generations in culture and the arts at home.

  JULIKA KENNAWAY

Julika started in the film industry specializing in filming underwater sequences. In particular she worked under the auspices of BBC Executive Richard Brock (Living Planet Productions) for his National Geographic programme Red Sea Revealed.

In 2003 Julika moved to South Africa, where she pursued her love of documentary film-making. Here she produced/directed “White Shark Dilemma” (aka The Chumming Wake – Sharks and Tourism) for South Africa’s top wildlife and environmental programme ‘50/50’. This film had a great impact on gaining funding for local shark watchers and for new schemes to promote better understanding into white shark behaviour in South Africa.

In 2003 Julika wrote, directed and produced the extraordinary true story of Daniel and Catherine Radziej and the drama they experienced in Namibia with two leopards and a lion. Despite the terrible tragedy during the making of this film, Julika persisted until 2007 when Daniel and Catherine’s story was finally completed for Discovery Channel/Animal Planet.

Daniel and Our Cats won a first prize ROSCAR award at Wildtalk Africa in Durban 2007 and a bronze medal at the New York Festival in February 2008.    

THEONI REID

Theoni brings her sunny personality and order into Debi's life and the London office.  She has an MA in Film and TV Production and has worked as an AD on popular Greek soaps. She is an independent writer and documentary filmmaker and is currently preparing her PhD.