Film · Television · Factual · Animation · Development

Stories with roots.
Work with reach.

A selection of films, television, factual work and new ideas. Different forms, each grounded in emotional truth, cultural detail and respect for the people inside the frame.

Muneera Sallies reviewing a script beside the cinema camera — Preparation · Performance · Production

Character firstCulture with specificityLeadership in practiceDelivery without compromise

01 / Signature film

A community-scale vision,
held in human detail.

The case study follows Muneera’s work as director: guiding an ensemble, collaborating with Robertson’s choir community and holding a clear creative vision through a demanding location shoot.

Feature film · Director

Old Righteous Blues

Set within the world of Cape Christmas choirs, the film follows the unresolved inheritance of two communities and the younger generation asked to carry what came before them.

At its heart: Brotherhood, inheritance, music, memory and reconciliation.
Behind the camera: Community participation, ensemble performance and a large, complex production.
International reach: South Africa’s official submission for the 97th Academy Awards and recognition across Africa, Europe and the United States.

Explore the case study Awards record

02 / Drama & factual screen

Different worlds.
The same attention to people.

In scripted work, Muneera begins with character and performance: understanding the emotional stakes and giving actors the preparation and trust to bring them to life.

Television drama · Director

Melody

A musical drama set in Athlone, centred on a gifted young penny-whistler imagining a different future through music.

Explore the series ↗

Feature film · Co-writer & director

Twisted Christmas

A festive ensemble story shaped by humour, family friction and the possibility of reconciliation around the table.

Watch trailer Read about the film ↗

Factual series · Director, selected episodes

David Klatzow: Looking Into Darkness

Forensic depth meets emotionally responsible storytelling in a series confronting gender-based violence in South Africa.

Watch the trailer ↗

03 / Factual & nature

Curiosity begins
with looking deeper.

Factual work extends the same instincts visible in the scripted portfolio: preparation, ethical attention, visual clarity and a belief that access carries responsibility.

Muneera Sallies filming underwater beside a school of fish with a professional camera housing — Certified Dive Master · Underwater filming capability

Field capability

Underwater storytelling

Muneera earned her Dive RAID International Dive Master certification through NEWF. She combines that training with practical underwater camera experience for ocean and environmental stories.

Selected recognition Earlier development work on a nature documentary concept received an award in Sunny Side of the Doc’s Wildlife and Conservation pitch field. View the record ↗

Latest official poster for Marjetsah: Rise of the Golden Gift

04 / Original animation

Original series · Producer & co-director with Gasan Sallies · In development

Marjetsah:
Rise of the Golden Gift

A sheltered young princess leaves the safety of a floating city and enters a realm fractured by shadow. There, she discovers that the gift she fears may be the key to restoring its balance.

Created by Gasan Sallies through Kanala Productions, the project brings Muneera into original animation, expansive world building and family owned intellectual property.

6 × 20 minutes
Fantasy adventure
2D + 3D animation

Watch the teaser ▶

05 / In development

The next work
is already moving.

New stories are taking shape. Here is a first look at one of the projects now in development.

Feature film · Writer, director & co-producer

Salt Water

A mother and daughter confront their shared past in a drama rooted in Cape Muslim family life.

Muneera is the writer, director and co-producer of Salt Water. She is developing the film with fellow co-producers Catharina Weinek and Amy-Marie Pienaar of HomeMade Films.

In development

06 / Beyond the directing credits

The work goes further
than the directing credits.

Alongside her screen credits, Muneera commissions and develops stories, evaluates slates, leads productions and helps ambitious ideas travel from proposal to delivery.

Explore executive leadership

Current

Premium scripted content

Commissioning and development across audience, story, production, budget, risk and delivery.

Regional production

Western & Eastern Cape

Creative production across teams, contributors and fast-moving local content environments.

Independent practice

DNA Studios

Directing and producing work from concept and development through post-production and delivery.

07 / Selected screen record

The form changes.
The responsibility does not.

Every project has its own language. The work is to find it, then bring story, people and resources together in service of what the project truly needs.

Start a conversation

Stories with roots.Work with reach.

A community-scale vision,held in human detail.

Old Righteous Blues

Different worlds.The same attention to people.

Melody

Twisted Christmas

David Klatzow: Looking Into Darkness

Curiosity beginswith looking deeper.

Underwater storytelling

Marjetsah:Rise of the Golden Gift

The next workis already moving.