WGSA Online Session: Option agreements

Ever wondered what it really means when someone options your script? Join the Writers Guild of South Africa for a deep dive into the business behind creative rights. Our expert panellists, David Max Brown, Dr Eubulus Timothy and Peter Goldsmid,  will unpack how option agreements work – from what producers actually pay for, to timelines, renewals, and when (and how) an option can turn into a full sale.

Whether you’re a new or experienced writer, this conversation will help you understand how to protect your work, negotiate fair terms, and make informed decisions when opportunity knocks.

Webinar details

Date: Saturday, 1 November 2025
Time: 10:00 to 12:00 SAST

Location: Online (Zoom link sent by 12pm, 31 October 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 the panel

David Max Brown

A multi-award-winning film producer (best known for Noem My Skollie – 2017), David Max Brown is also a screenwriter, director, and editor. He is a senior lecturer in Motion Picture in the postgraduate department at AFDA Cape Town, and responsible for student integration with the film industry. He holds an MFA (with distinction) and is currently studying for his PhD at UJ.

Dr Eubulus Timothy

Dr Eubulus Timothy is a dental surgeon, educator, writer, and award-winning filmmaker known for his multidisciplinary excellence and creative vision. He was the founding Chairperson of the Cape Film Commission and served as Vice Chairperson of the Writers Guild of South Africa for over a decade. Trained under acclaimed Hollywood directors Randy Zisk and Allan Arkush, he has developed a distinctive voice as a filmmaker and storyteller. His numerous accolades include the Harley-Merrill Screenwriting Award (Hollywood), Simon Sabela Awards for Best Picture and Best Director, and the Singapore Exemplary Lifetime Achievement Award (2020).

Peter Goldsmid

SAFTA- and WGSA-Award-winning writer-director Peter Goldsmid (David Klatzow: Looking into Darkness, SABC 3), is an African screenwriter and director, whose work is defined by human insight and visual flair – across documentary, drama, and corporate storytelling. His many legal-inspired productions have led him to a practical understanding of the law as it affects writers and he has given informal advice for the WGSA for more than a decade.