South African born writer and director Meja Shoba lives between Los Angeles and Johannesburg, producing narrative film, documentary, digital content and advertising that conveys fresh images of Africa to international audiences. She infuses stimulating storytelling and cultural nuance with highly visual imagery, making her work perfect for international brands such as Ben Sherman clothing and Falke socks.
Shoba met the Ola! Films crew when she was on a Fulbright scholarship in SA, graduated at UCLA, and fell in love with the directing style she was able to achieve when working at Wiil.I.Am's company, writing and making content. "Filmmaking is a passion, but I don't see the style as exclusive to features. Ads are stories too. How do you tell a story effectively in 30 seconds? You have to be a great storyteller and that's my passion." Shoba enjoy the process of making ads: "There's a definite beginning, middle and end and you can sink your teeth into the project and produce something in a relatively short space of time.There's an immediate sense of accomplishment and completion, and you get to sell a product, which is so cool".
Driven by beauty and fashion, and what is current. Meja loves to delved deep, and find the gems in the visual. She is a good storyteller that gets to the heart of cultural nuance, Meja is enthralled by the Black experience and grounded narrative worlds. She’s a director of versatility: small budget, big budget, short film, or documentary— Meja is up for the challenge, and brings the flavor of her colourful South African-American background to her work.
Driven by storytelling that gets to the heart of cultural nuance, Meja is enthralled by the beauty of the Black experience and grounded narrative worlds. She’s a director of versatility: small budget, big budget, short film, or documentary— Meja is up for the challenge, and brings the flavor of her colourful South African-American background to her work
Youth. Skin. Black Hair. Fun.