THE ACADEMY BEHIND THE TALENT
Every Cineterns intern has been trained by the SA Film Academy — South Africa's foremost film and television training institution.
The SA Film Academy (SAFA) is a MICT SETA-accredited, non-profit company (NPC) that has been developing South Africa's film and television workforce since 2006. Based at Atlantic Film Studios in Cape Town, SAFA operates as a vital bridge between education and employment — training South African youth aged 18 to 35 through paid, mentored, in-service placements on real productions.
SAFA's training model is radical in its simplicity: interns do not sit in classrooms. They work on set. They earn while they learn. They train under experienced professionals across every department — direction, production, camera, sound, lighting, grip, VFX, SFX, continuity, make-up, production accounts, transport, and more. When a SAFA trainee completes their programme, they have genuine production credits to their name and real relationships with industry professionals.
SAFA's reach is remarkable: thousands of trainees placed across 500+ productions, including international titles and partnerships with global studios and broadcasters. Its alumni work as crew members, Heads of Department, independent filmmakers, and entrepreneurs. SAFA has received SAFTA nominations, an ITFFA Gold Award, and continues to be one of the most impactful transformation initiatives in the South African creative industry.
Cineterns was built to give SAFA's extraordinary graduates the industry platform they deserve. When you hire through Cineterns, you are not just hiring an intern. You are investing in the next generation of South African film talent — and the institution that has prepared them for you.