ABOUT US
Optical Films, founded by award-winning producer/director team Bianca Vermooten and Shane Vermooten, is a London based private film company with offices in London and Cape Town. Optical Films develops and produces films, television series and documentaries. With a track record of global accolades, including winning prestigious Golden Horns at both the 2022 and 2023 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs).
Producer
Bianca Vermooten
Bianca earned her MBA from the University of Oxford and previously served as VP of Production at Maven Screen Media, where she collaborated with Amazon, Sony and River Road Entertainment.
She has led internationally recognised projects and secured global partnerships, including with Tencent Pictures and Netflix.
Her producing credits span award-winning films and global co-productions that have screened at top-tier festivals and are available on platforms worldwide.
She has led internationally recognised projects and secured global partnerships, including with Tencent Pictures and Netflix.
Her producing credits span award-winning films and global co-productions that have screened at top-tier festivals and are available on platforms worldwide.
Director/Producer
Shane Vermooten
Shane is a SAFTA-winning director whose work spans 21 countries and includes award-winning features, shorts and documentaries. His debut feature Bypass was globally distributed and his short film #WeAreDyingHere, a powerful statement on gender-based violence, received the Golden Horn at the South African Film and Television Awards in 2023.
Shane is an alumnus of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative and was named one of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans.
Shane is an alumnus of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative and was named one of the Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans.
Our Productions have Won Major Awards
including multiple Golden Horns at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) and have been showcased at top international festivals including Austin and Savannah. With strong networks across the UK, Europe, Africa and Asia, we are experienced in managing complex cross-border productions and accessing international funding.
