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Rene Weston
- Location:
- South Africa
- Languages:
- English
- Issues:
- Climate Change, LGBTQIA+, Education, Racial Injustice, Economic Injustice, Voting Rights, Human Rights
- Expertise:
- Impact Producing, Consulting, Impact Strategist/Advisor, Campaign Implementation, Crafting Classroom Materials, Alternative Distribution, Mentorship, Training
- Cultural/racial identity:
- White
- Self identification:
- Female
Bio
Rene Weston is a film producer, trainer, writer and impact strategist based in Cape Town, South Africa. With more than 10 years' experience as Line Producer and Financial Manager at Giant Films, including as Assistant to Director Ian Gabriel on both the 'Forgiveness' and 'Four Corners' feature films, and more than four years' experience as Programmes Director at Sunshine Cinema, she has developed a collaborative practice in the fields of writing, directing, acting, alternative distribution and social impact.
As a freelance producer, Rene has worked on a short documentary on the life of Zolani Mahola, South African singer, motivational speaker and actress - with the feature length version currently in production. She holds a degree in Adult Education and serves as a consultant and facilitator on screenwriting and film skills training programmes, as well as mentoring new talent in the industry. As former Head of the SAE Film Department she expanded the focus on screenwriting and directing in the BA Degree curriculum.
With direct experience in leading youth film impact screening facilitators to host meaningful community events and dialogues, she brings a deep understanding of grassroots organising and the ability to co-create employment opportunities in the gig work economy. Beyond rural and peri-urban communities in South Africa, Rene has travelled and worked with local facilitators in Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Working remotely, she produced eight short, experimental documentary films shot on mobile in Zimbabwe as part of a media literacy project with Internews and FilmAid. Her current projects include strategising an impact screenings tour of 'The Grab' documentary in Zambia and 'The Friendship Bench' screenings in Zimbabwe.
