Driven by his
childhood passion for storytelling, 36-year-old film industry trailblazer, Ephraim
Gordon, has accumulated numerous accolades for his productions, one of which
was selected for South Africa’s official submission to the Oscar Awards in
2022.
Born and raised
in Paarl in the Western Cape, Ephraim's exciting journey into the arts began in
his first year of high school when he was selected as a bursary candidate to
attend Bridge House School, a co-educational independent school in the
beautiful Franschhoek valley.
“My
father applied after seeing an advert in our local newspaper, and I was thrilled
when my application was accepted,” he shares. “I
expected a big transition, however after becoming a full-time boarder at a small
school with a nurturing and close-knit community, I found it easy to connect
with others.”
Ephraim emerged
as a leader from the get go, and was elected as Head Boy in 2005. He had a
profound positive impact on the school community, and was admired and well-respected
by his peers. He was presented with a number of awards, including one of the
school’s most prestigious - the Values Award.
“During
my years spent in boarding school at Bridge House I developed valuable life
skills, and I was exposed to many different cultures and perspectives,” says
Ephraim. “The school instilled in me determination, tenacity, resilience and
the drive to succeed, and this has carried me through some of the most
difficult situations in my life.”
After graduating
with an honours degree in Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape
Town in 2009, he went on to achieve leading and impactful successes in the
field of acting, and producing and directing for stage, television and film.
“Since
I was a young boy, I have been interested in the arts. When I was a young child I played the violin, then during my high
school years I was able to further develop my creative talents which led me
later to build a career in film.”
Ephraim co-founded
two award-winning production companies, PaperJet Films and Nagvlug Films. His
aim was to tell stories that change the narratives around Coloured communities
in South Africa, and shift the focus away from the violence with which these
communities are often portrayed.
In November
2021, he and his co-founder, Amy Jephta, received international acclaim with
South Africa’s first Muslim film produced in Afrikaans. The National Film and
Video Foundation selected their multi-award-winning MultiChoice film, Barakat, as
South Africa’s official submission for Best International Feature for the 94th
Annual Academy Awards – otherwise known as the Oscars.
“I
was beyond proud to have been selected, although it was quite unexpected. To be
recognised by South Africa in this way was so rewarding, and I was proud to
have taken this story to the international stage.”
Reflecting on
his entrepreneurial path in the film industry, Ephraim acknowledges the
challenges he has faced, including the competitive nature of client
relationships and limited resources.
“I was able to navigate these hurdles because
I was fortunate enough at high school to learn the art of communication and adaptability.
These skills, amongst others that I was taught, have been pivotal to my success,”
he explains.
Ephraim continues with his writing, directing and
producing of award-winning film and television that are based on his personal experiences,
and to create more opportunities for other industry creatives. He is especially
passionate about empowering young South Africans who aspire to create a
successful career in the arts.
“I encourage young people to embrace new
learning experiences and explore innovative solutions,” he concludes. “Education is a
lifelong endeavour and one that never ends.”
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