Ayanda Halimana

Biography

Ayanda Halimana is a South African screenwriter, story consultant, and creative producer with over 16 years in the television and film industry. She has served as a commissioning editor at both SABC and M-Net, and as head writer on more than a dozen dramas, including Makoti, Isikizi, and It’s Complicated. Her film credits include Happiness Ever After and Uncovered, both available on Netflix. Ayanda is the founder of YandaHalis Films, a company dedicated to developing authentic African narratives. Through this platform, she has led scriptwriting programs for the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission and the NFVF’s Spark initiative. She has also mentored writers through the Realness Institute and Netflix’s Episodic Lab. Her debut feature, One Day in June, received accolades at TIFF’s CTI and Berlinale’s JETS program. In 2023, she directed her short film Sent, supported by the NFVF and KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission. Known for her collaborative approach and deep understanding of story structure, Ayanda continues to shape the African storytelling landscape, championing narratives that resonate both locally and globally.