Steven Markovitz

Steven Markovitz has 30 years experience in producing and distributing feature films and documentaries He has worked with over 150 directors from 35 African countries on films some of which have screened at festivals including Cannes Sundance Berlin Toronto and Venice and many other festivals Steven is the CEO and cofounder of Big World Cinema established 1994 Films he has produced sold to platforms and broadcasters including Amazon Netflix Channel 4 BBC arte Vice Showtime Canal PBS MNET SABC SVT Al Jazeera Criterion Collection and have been theatrically released in numerous territories globally including USA Canada UK Russia Japan Brazil France and Germany and 20 African countries Some of the notable feature films and documentaries produced and coproduced include Augure by Baloji Cannes Un Certain Regard Prize winner 2023 Tug of War by Amil Shivji Toronto Carthage Golden Tanit prize winner 2021 Rafiki by Wanuri Kahiu Un Certain Regard Cannes Toronto 2018 aKasha by hajooj kuka Venice Critics Week Toronto 2018 Viva Riva by Djo Munga BerlinToronto SXSW 2011 Stories of our Lives by Jim Chuchu Winner of the Teddy Jury Award Berlinale 2014 and High Fantasy by Jenna Bass TorontoBerlin 2017 and feature documentaries including Beats of the Antonov by hajooj kuka Winner of Documentary Peoples Choice Award at Toronto International Film Festival 2014 Winnie by Pascale Lamche Winner World Cinema Documentary Director Sundance 2018 He is a founding executive committee member of the Independent Producers Organisation of South Africa He cofounded the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival 1999 and Electric South 2016 and is a founding board member of DocA Documentary Africa 2018 He recently launched the African Producers Accelerator APA Steven is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences and currently serves on its Executive Committee for the International Feature Film Award Steven has been knighted by the Republic of France and the Government of Burkina Faso for his contribution to African cinema He has served on juries and funding selection panels in South Africa Holland Morrocco Germany Namibia Jordan USA Burkina Faso and Lebanon He advises governments production companies funds and cultural institutions on financial models rights management and international partnerships