The DeepSouth Hybrid Virtual Production Initiative
Building Africa’s first multi-institutional academic Virtual Production research and innovation hub. Where African stories meet global production standards.
A collaborative initiative across three South African universities, preparing the next generation of filmmakers and creative technologists for a transformed global industry.
Wits at Filmscape CAPETOWN OCT 19 2025
Our Mission
Future-proofing South African filmmaking through education, innovation, and industry integration
The DeepSouth Hybrid VP Initiative is developing South Africa’s first dedicated academic Virtual Production facilities — a network of educational-commercial hubs that will train the next generation of filmmakers while serving the production industry.
Led by the Film & Television Division at the University of the Witwatersrand, in partnership with UWC and CPUT in Cape Town, we are building the infrastructure, curriculum, and industry partnerships needed to position South Africa as Africa’s creative technology leader.
| 62% | 76% | $8.7B | ~50% |
| youth unemployment rate (ages 15–24) | of SA film graduates report insufficient technical skills | Projected global VP market by 2030 | SA film industry contraction in recent years |
Three Pillars
An integrated model for sustainable impact
Education & Skills
Degree integration, professional short courses, and micro-credentials in VP, Unreal Engine, AI-augmented VFX, and virtual art direction. Addressing the 76% skills gap head-on.
Commercial Ops
A 60/40 educational-commercial split generates sustainable third-stream income while providing work-integrated learning. Students intern on real commercial productions.
Research & Innovate
An Open Science approach: interdisciplinary projects spanning film, architecture, engineering, computer science, and digital humanities. AI integration and new storytelling methodologies.
Learning meets earning
Our private-public partnership model bridges the gap between learning and doing. Students won’t just read about virtual production — they’ll be hands-on in a professional space, working alongside industry professionals on real-world projects as interns.
SYNERGIES
The relationship works both ways: industry partners get access to fresh talent and innovative thinking; our academic programmes stay relevant because they’re constantly informed by the world of work.
Revenue model
Commercial Studio Hire
R100,000/day, 100+ production days/year
Professional Short Courses
VP certificates, Unreal Engine, AI-VFX
SETA-Funded Learnerships
Accredited skills development programmes
Research Partnerships
Industry & Grant funded R&D
Equipment Rental
For external productions and events
TARGET
- Operational sustainability by Year 3 through commercial revenue covering running costs.
- Capital investment funded through public grants and trusts
- framed as a strategic, non-recoupable investment in national creative capacity.