Desireé Markgraaff - Managing Director & Executive Producer

From 1985 to 1992, Desireé worked as a line producer on numerous international feature co-productions, including Athol Fugard's THE ROAD TO MECCA, starring Kathy Bates. In 1993, disillusioned with the creative standard of South African feature films, Desireé decided to concentrate on other genres, producing many local television series and commercials.

Desireé has won US International Film and Television, Avanti, Loerie, IPM and Artes Awards. In 1997, her multi-award winning television campaign, I'M ADDICTED TO LIFE, was the only South African project invited to the United Nations media conference on drugs.

As regional chairman of the National Television and Video Association, Desireé engaged with the government and broadcasters. She produced the organisation's prestigious annual awards event for 6 years. Whilst serving as vice chairman of the Independent Producers Organisation, she spear-headed the production and broadcasting section for the Entertainment Industry Standards Authority. She designed and produced the South African Society of Cinematographers awards for three years and regularly lectures at film schools on production.

In 1999, she produced the drama series YIZO YIZO, and went on to co-produce a Polish feature film. In 2000, she produced the second series of YIZO YIZO as well as the platinum selling soundtrack CD. She co-produced the HBO/SABC backed feature documentary AMANDLA! as well as 60 audiovisual elements for the Apartheid Museum.

2003 saw Desireé facilitating international music video and commercial productions as well as producing the third series of YIZO YIZO. Desireé is currently in development with SCAR, Teboho Mahlatsi's debut feature film.

For more information, please e-mail production@thebomb.co.za