Luke Sharland is a SAFTA winning producer. He is the Executive Producer and Director at Mandala Films Pty Ltd, is a dynamic and passionate filmmaker who has been redefining creativity in the film industry since 2015. With a diverse portfolio that includes films, TV series, commercials, and documentary shorts, Luke has continuously demonstrated his multifaceted talent in both producing and directing. His latest work, "Normal to Me," marks his directorial debut in feature documentaries, delving into a deeply personal narrative that holds a special place in his heart.

This poignant documentary showcases the life of Luke’s older sister, Jess, a vibrant individual born with Williams Syndrome, as well as a select few individuals who work at the Joyce Chevalier Centre - a protective workshop and center for adults living with special needs and disabilities. The film is more than just a project for Luke; it’s a heartfelt journey that fulfills his longstanding ambition to tell a story featuring individuals with disabilities and special needs. The inspiration for "Normal to Me" sparked when Luke’s family moved to Cape Town in 2021, where Jess began working at the Joyce Chevalier Centre (JCC). The positive atmosphere at the JCC, coupled with the incredible stories of Jess’s colleagues, friends, and staff, provided the perfect backdrop for Luke to craft a compelling and kick-ass narrative.

Luke's aspiration for "Normal to Me" is for it to be showcased at film festivals around the world, shining a spotlight on the documentary and offering audiences a fresh perspective on what it means to be 'normal.' His journey as a filmmaker has always been driven by a desire to be a creative force and a storyteller who brings unique narratives to life. Through his work, he aims to challenge perceptions, inspire change, and celebrate the diversity of human experience.

Luke's philosophy, much like the inspiring words of his sister Jessica Sharland, reflects a deep understanding of the human spirit: "Have grace, have love for who you are, don't misjudge anybody for their character, and whatever you do, just have fun."

Gray Kotzé is a SAFTA nominated Director of Photography based in Cape Town, South Africa. Films that he has shot have screened at various local and international film festivals, some of which include: Final Cut In Venice, IFP Film Week, Sheffield DocFest, Visions Du Reel, IDFA, Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, Berlinale Talents and Durban International Film Festival.

His feature length work has spanned both fiction projects and non-fiction documentaries - with his stylistic preference often lying somewhere in the middle of these two worlds. Outside of shooting he also has a well known YouTube channel, In Depth Cine, which produces educational videos on cinematography.

Stephanie Kyriakou-Bouwer is also a AFDA Alumni with a bachelor’s degree in Motion Picture Medium majoring in Video editing where her 3rd year experimental film screened at the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. She has gained extensive video editing experience in the fashion world working with the Bokeh fashion film festival and Tv series, as well as in the wedding, e-learning and digital marketing industry. She is a film enthusiast and loves to tell stories through motion.

Jaco van Bosch moved to Johannesburg and completed his Honours degree (Motion Picture Medium) in 2017, majoring in Screenwriting and Directing at AFDA Johannesburg. In the years since he has self produced numerous short films with his company, Looped Pictures, co-written TV movies, directed commercials, documentary series and gained a lot of experience in post production for several feature films and TV series as an editor and sound designer.

Mark Haines completed his Undergrad degree (Motion Picture Medium) in 2018, majoring in Editing where he graduated Cum Laude and on the Dean’s List. He is a multi-hyphenate filmmaker - a writer, director, editor, and colour grader. He has worked as a script supervisor on the NYU Student Academy Award winning film, ‘Umama’. He co-founded Looped Pictures in 2020. He has edited, written, and graded on multiple projects both for corporate clients and for channels such as kykNET and SABC 3.