
Naledi Mokoena
Screenwriter
Crafting compelling narratives and vivid characters for film and television.
Experienced South African screenwriter with 8+ years in film and television production, specializing in drama, thriller, and historical fiction. Proven ability to develop original concepts, adapt existing IP, and deliver high-quality scripts from pitch to production. Adept at collaborating with directors, producers, and creative teams to bring stories to life. Passionate about exploring diverse South African narratives and contributing to impactful cinematic experiences. Seeking to leverage strong storytelling skills and industry insight to create globally resonant content.
Mzansi Magic Productions - Johannesburg, South Africa
Lead Screenwriter March 2020 to Present 6 years & 4 months
Collaborated closely with showrunners and directors to refine storylines, character arcs, and dialogue, ensuring alignment with creative vision and production constraints.
Mentored junior writers, providing constructive feedback and fostering a collaborative writing environment.
Successfully pitched and developed two original series concepts, one of which is currently in pre-production.
Black Brain Pictures - Johannesburg, South Africa
Junior Screenwriter September 2017 to February 2020 2 years & 6 months
Conducted extensive research for historical dramas, ensuring factual accuracy and cultural authenticity in scripts.
Assisted in storyboarding, script breakdown, and character bible development for various projects.
Gained proficiency in industry-standard screenwriting software and production workflows.
University of the Witwatersrand
Master of Arts (January 2015 to December 2017)
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Arts (February 2012 to November 2014)
Advanced Story Structure Workshop
National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) (November 2019 to November 2019)
Echoes of the Veld (TV Series)
Lead Screenwriter (January 2021 to December 2023)
The Last Harvest (Feature Film)
Co-Screenwriter (June 2018 to March 2019)
Best Original Screenplay (Drama Series)
South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs) (September 2023 to Present)
- Screenwriting Software (Final Draft, Celtx)
- Story Development
- Script Analysis & Coverage
- Dialogue Writing
- Character Development
- Genre Specialization (Drama, Thriller)
- Adaptation & IP Development
- Pitch Deck Creation
- Research & Fact-Checking
- Script Editing & Formatting