ZuBeDa Portia
Zubeda Portia Cele is a seasoned South African casting director and cast coodinator with over 15 years of experience in film. Known for her unique casting style, Portia is passionate about discovering talent whose lived experiences bring authenticity to the screen, often championing performers with overlooked looks and untapped potential. Her work spans feature films, series, and commercials.Helping shape compelling narratives both locally and internationally. Based in Cape Town & KwaZulu-Natal,but having worked across the country gives her an edge on the diversity of cast talent our country has to offer. She has built a reputation for her distinctive casting approach
She has contributed to acclaimed projects such as 'Sons of the Sea', 'Themba', 'While You Weren’t Looking', and international productions like 'Good Omens, Noughts & Crosses, and The Power.'
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Portia is the South African Co-Producer for documentary project 'Truck Mama' which won several awards at its development stage, including the Most Promising Documentary Project and Best Pitch Award at the Durban FilmMart (DFM) in 2015. The project was also recognized as the Most Outstanding Documentary Project at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) in 2015.
In 2023, she wrote and directed the short film Richard Palmer 'Where Are You?' and previously, in 2022, she also wrote and directed 'Nazeem', a short film.
In 2017, she worked as the producer and sound assistant on the documentary short film Imbokodo, while in 2015, she was the executive producer for the short film Frog Hair.
Portia is currently writing busy with two short films in preproduction and the other in development, further establishing herself as a multifaceted filmmaker. What sets her apart is her holistic understanding of the filmmaking process, from identifying exceptional talent to shaping narratives and overseeing production. Her work consistently reflects a deep commitment to authentic storytelling and a passion for elevating characters in the industry. Her work across casting, producing, and directing highlights her versatility and deep commitment to South Africa’s film industry and outstanding talent.
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