WGSA Online Session: Writing the Short Film with Gasan Sallies

Writing the Short Film with Gasan Sallies | 16 August 2025 | 10:00 – 12:00

Join us for an inspiring session with filmmaker Gasan Sallies, as they unpack the journey of turning a concept into a fully funded production. From idea to script to screen — hear how this young South African creative navigated the development process and secured funding to bring their vision to life.

Webinar details

Date: Saturday, 16 August 2025
Time: 10:00 to 12:00 SAST

Location: Online (Zoom link sent by 12pm, 15 August 2025 – Please add communications@writersguildsa.org to your contact list)

NB: Registration is essential. WGSA members may attend free of charge. We also invite members of our sister organisations Safrea and DFA to attend free of charge. Non-members pay R 75.00.

Meet your Speaker

Gasan Sallies is a South African filmmaker whose journey began in animation, visual effects, and screenwriting, and has since grown into a dynamic career spanning both commercial and narrative work. His creative portfolio includes a wide range of projects, from the 2D animated short Swim to the award winning short film Boeta, which was also selected at the Amsterdam liftoff International Film Festival.

His kykNET Silwerskerm short film Straatrotte which combined live action and animation was named Festival Favorite and received two special jury mentions. He co-wrote the M-Net feature Twisted Christmas and most recently produced, wrote and directed the kykNET Silwerskerm short Tussen Die Kwashale, the drama film combines his passion for telling emotive stories with the use of some Visual Effects, continuing his passion for pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

Gasan was selected to attend the prestigious Telluride Film Festival’s Filmmakers of Tomorrow symposium, where he participated in intensive mentorship sessions with cinema legends including Francis Ford Coppola, the Dardenne Brothers, Xavier Dolan, Ken Burns, Guy Maddin, and Kim Morgan.

Currently, Gasan works across both the commercial and film industries, bringing his distinctive vision and technical craft to life as a Producer, Writer, Director, and Visual Effects Artist. His work is driven by a deep commitment to storytelling that resonates with emotional truth, cultural identity, and cinematic innovation.