CityVarsity (Cape Town Film School)

Overview

CityVarsity School of Media and Creative Arts was a private creative arts institution at 16-18 Roeland Street, Cape Town. Part of the Educor group, it offered diploma and degree programs in film, television, animation, multimedia, and related disciplines. The school enrolled students from South Africa and neighboring countries including Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Kenya.

CityVarsity has ceased operating. In December 2025, South Africa's Minister of Higher Education and Training issued a Notice of Intent to cancel the registration of CityVarsity, Damelin, and ICESA City Campus after prolonged non-compliance with the Higher Education Act. The Department of Higher Education received reliable confirmation that CityVarsity had ceased operating and was no longer providing higher education. The institutions failed to submit 2024 Annual Reports, audited financial statements, SARS tax compliance certificates, and proof of financial surety despite a final remedial deadline of June 6, 2025.

The collapse was visible on the ground well before the official notice. Staff had not received full salaries since September 2024. Close to 20 educators resigned after disputes over unpaid wages and CCMA battles. On December 2, 2024, a coordinated mass resignation of lecturers disrupted the 2024 academic year. Students did not receive their 2024 academic results, leaving them unable to progress or transfer to other institutions. Educor's license was deregistered in March 2024, provisionally reinstated in August 2024, then targeted for cancellation again in December 2025.

If you are considering film education in Cape Town, CityVarsity is not a viable option. Prospective students should look at alternative South African film schools or the production ecosystem in Cape Town, which remains active for international productions.

Programs Previously Offered

The following programs were listed before the school ceased operating. This information is for reference only.

• BA in Film and Television - a 3-year degree with electives in Producing or Directing
• Diploma in Film and Television Production Techniques - a production program covering directing, cinematography, editing, sound, and producing
• Diploma in Animation - with electives in 2D, 3D, or Gaming
• Diploma in Sound Engineering
• Diploma in Multimedia Design and Production - with electives in Scripting or Interactive Design
• Diploma in Professional Photography
• Higher Certificate in Film and Media Production - a 1-year introductory program
• Higher Certificate in Acting for Camera
• Higher Certificate in Digital Media Arts
• Higher Certificate in Motion Picture Make-up
• Higher Certificate in New Media Development

What Students Should Know

CityVarsity is no longer operational. The Department of Higher Education stated it will support affected students through "appropriate academic and administrative arrangements," but the specifics of transcript access and credit transfer remain unresolved for many former students. Students who paid fees in full for 2024 reported being unable to access academic results or transfer credits to other institutions.

The school's website (cityvarsity.co.za) still listed programs as of early 2026, but the Department of Higher Education has confirmed the institution has ceased providing higher education. Prospective students should not submit applications or pay fees.

Cape Town as a Production Center

Cape Town remains one of Africa's most active international production hubs, even with CityVarsity closed. The city's diverse landscapes, favorable exchange rates, and experienced crew base attract productions from Netflix, Amazon, and Hollywood studios throughout the year. The local production ecosystem continues to offer opportunities for crew and filmmakers who train elsewhere.

Alternative film education options in South Africa include the South African School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance (AFDA), the Open Window Institute, and the SAE Institute. International students interested in Cape Town specifically should research current program availability at these institutions.

Notable Alumni

Standout Faculty

AFDA's faculty are working South African filmmakers, producers, and actors based in Cape Town and Johannesburg.

• David Stein - Motion Picture Programme Coordinator and Senior Lecturer. Writer, producer, and project manager for film, television, social media, and digital marketing. Masters in Screenwriting achieved with distinction; thesis screenplay won the London Film Awards and UN endorsement for tolerance education. Wrote and produced short films for SAB Miller, Royal Commonwealth Society, and Durban International Film Festival. Executive Producer for Red Bull Media House South Africa. Teaches screenwriting and producing.
• Diaan Lawrenson - CEO (former Dean of Cape Town campus). South African actress, producer, director, and scriptwriter known for her role as 'Paula' in TV soapie 7de Laan (8 years, 2008-2016). Film credits include Raaiselkind (SAFTA nomination), Susters, Table Manners, Sink, and Netflix series Ludik. Co-founder of award-winning production company Jester Productions. Teaches acting, producing, and industry practice.
• Liana Hassim - Bachelor of Creative Writing Lecturer. Writer and director for film; Bachelor in Drama and Performance, Honours in Motion Picture Medium from AFDA. Teaches creative writing and screenwriting.
• Jean-Pierre de Waal - Lecturer in Producing. Teaches film producing.

Notable Alumni

AFDA alumni work across the South African film and television industries, with graduates contributing to both local productions and international projects:

• Nosipho Dumisa - Director of Netflix's Blood & Water (2020-present), a South African teen drama series that became one of Netflix's most-watched African original series.

• Craig Foster - Co-director of My Octopus Teacher (2020), winner of the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

CityVarsity alumni worked across the South African film and television industries before the school's closure, contributing to local productions and serving as crew on international projects shooting in Cape Town. The school produced graduates over nearly 30 years of operation.

Student Film Examples

AFDA student films screen at the school's annual Graduation Festival and at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). Notable recent student films include Anguish (2023), a psychological thriller about a son caring for his zombie mother during a zombie apocalypse, produced by Raheem Razak and directed by Mandisa Mary-Jane Mtembu. Anguish won Best Student Film at the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2024 in Los Angeles and at the SAFTAs 2024, and was the only undergraduate film shortlisted at the Sony awards. AFDA student films are primarily hosted on the school's own platform (films.afda.co.za) rather than YouTube.

See Also

For understanding African production markets, see International Film Markets. To plan your production budget, use the Production Budget Calculator. For evaluating the return on investment of film education, use the Ad Spend Break-Even Calculator.