As part of the 2026 Durban International Film Festival’s prestigious IsiPhethu Industry Programme, WGSA Council Member Zunaid Mansoor delivered a hard-hitting and insightful masterclass. Mansoor, who oversees the Guild’s Professional Development Programme, is also South Africa’s Fulbright Scholar in Screen Storytelling.
The masterclass was titled: “From Artificial Intelligence to African Intelligence: Why Writers Matter When A.I. Can Write”. The session was a deep and empowering dive into the unspoken, unseen and latent dimensions of the A.I. and creative writing / screenwriting debate. The session critically examined the potential impact of A.I. on South Africa’s pressing challenge of unemployment, as well as its implications for authorial identity, artistic expression and intellectual property rights. Drawing on 17 years of experience as a film fund advisor, script consultant and screenwriting educator, Mansoor provided professional, locally relevant insights that highlighted the enduring value of human storytelling in an increasingly automated world.
The session was an exemplar of how the IsiPhethu Industry Programme connects film and TV professionals and stakeholders at all levels. The masterclass sparked renewed interest in the WGSA and its vital causes and helped drive membership.
Thank you to all members, non-members and stakeholders for your attendance and support. We are immensely grateful to DIFF and all its sponsors for making this possible.