Helen Kuun

Helen launched Indigenous Film Distribution in 2009, her goal being to create an independent film distribution company targeted specifically at locally produced feature films. She has more than 34 years experience in all aspects of film distribution, from publicity and marketing to acquisitions. Her passion for South African content was developed over a period of almost a decade during which she was employed by Ster-Kinekor Distribution as the acquisitions manager for local content. She oversaw the theatrical release of more than 40 local titles from 2003 to 2009, including White Wedding, Izulu Lami and Bakgat. While at Ster-Kinekor she also gained valuable experience in the acquisition of international independent films from film markets worldwide as part of the company’s international acquisitions team. Her career highlights include being part of the team that devised and rolled out the media plan and junket for the international hit District 9 in early 2009. She was also responsible for the acquisition of South Africa’s Academy Award winner Tsotsi. She devised the local marketing and distribution rollout plan for the film and implemented the Oscar road show in SA post the film’s win. Helen has served on several boards, including the Audio Visual Entrepreneurs of Africa (AVEA) and the South African Scriptwriters Association (SASWA). She has been a jury chair and jury member for the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAS), and is a task team member of the Department of Trade & Industry Film and TV Rebate Scheme. She is a regular guest lecturer at the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA), the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she shares insight to the film distribution business with young people who are drawn to the industry. Founder of Indigenous Film Distribution in 2009, to create the first independent film distribution company targeted specifically at SA & African produced feature films in SA & Africa initially and recently with the advent of Streaming Platforms looking to local content – the world. To date the all women Indigenous Film Distribution team, has released over 200 features in its 16 years of existence with highlights which includes Liefling Die Movie, Inumber Number, Mrs Right Guy, The Forgotten Kingdom, Viva Riva, Semi Soet, Four Corners and Elelwani, Inxeba (The Wound), Racheltjie de Beer, Losing Lerato, Rafiki, Knuckle City, This is Not a Burial it’s a Resurrection, Barakat, New Material, Seriously Single and Five Fingers For Marseilles amongst others. I have spent 30 years in the film industry trying on various hats but overall focused on all aspects of film distribution across all platforms, from publicity and marketing to acquisitions, development and sales. The most notable titles include SA’s Oscar ® winner Tsotsi, Liefling Die Movie, Inumber Number, Mrs Right Guy, The Forgotten Kingdom, Viva Riva, Semi Soet, Four Corners and Elelwani, Inxeba (The Wound), Racheltjie de Beer, Losing Lerato, Rafiki, Knuckle City, This is Not a Burial it’s a Resurrection, Barakat, New Material, Seriously Single and Five Fingers For Marseilles amongst others. She embraces a new world of opportunity for where local content can continue finding homes & audiences at home and in the world. These films were released on all or a combination of available platforms to audiences. Ster-Kinekor, NuMetro and Indie Cinemas, DSTV Box Office, Multichoice (Mzansi, KykNet or MNET), Netflix, Amazon Prime, Showmax, ETV, SABC, Vimeo, Viu, Eventive, Itunes, Google Play etc. depending on the strategy for delivery of each title. Helen has Served on various industry bodies, panels and committees including SASWA, Emmy’s (Series), DIFF, Silwerskerm Fest, Sundance Shorts, AVEA, SAFTAS, various NFVF advisory panels and TIFF amongst others.