Quizzical Pictures
Founded 1993
Headquarters
139 Greenway, Greenside, Randburg, 2034
Key people
Harriet Gavshon (managing director)[1]
Products Film production
Television production
Website www.quizzical.co.za

Quizzical Pictures, formerly known as Curious Pictures until 2012, is a South African film and television production company based in the Johannesburg area.

The company was originally founded as Weekly Mail Television in 1993 and then Mail & Guardian Television. The company separated from the Mail & Guardian in 1999, becoming Curious Pictures.[2] As to avoid confusion with the American production company of the same name, the company's name changed again in 2012 to Quizzical Pictures.[3] In 2014, the studio moved to a warehouse facility in Randburg.[4]

Dramas, comedies, and reality joints produced by Quizzical have garnered a number of awards and nominations, including at the SAFTAs, Africa Movie Academy Awards, the Rose d'Or, Peabody Award, and International Emmy Awards.[5][6]

Productions

Film

Year Title Director Notes
2006 His Big White Self Nick Broomfield Documentary
2013 iNumber Number Donovan Marsh
Nothing for Mahala Rolie Nikiwe
2017 The Lucky Specials Reabetswe Rangaka
Beyond the River Craig Freimond

Television

Year Title Original network Notes
1994–2015 Soul City SABC1 Edutainment
2003–2006 Tsha Tsha
2005–2016 Hard Copy SABC3
2006–2009 The Lab
2006 Heartlines SABC2 Anthology
2007–2021 Rhythm City e.tv
2009 Hopeville SABC2
2010 A Country Imagined Documentary series
2010–2012 4Play e.tv
Class Act SABC1 Reality
2010–2013 Intersexions
2011–2012 Top Shayela Vuzu Reality
2012–present MasterChef South Africa M-Net Reality
2013 Single Guyz SABC1
2014 Single Galz
Tropika Island of Treasure Reality; season 6
2014–present Swartwater SABC2
2015 Umlilo e.tv
2017 Shuga: Down South MTV Season 5
Taryn & Sharon SABC3
2018–2019 Diamond City SABC1
2019 The Girl from St. Agnes Showmax
2020 Lithapo SABC2
Shaina ZBC TV Television film
2021 Reyka M-Net
2022 Desert Rose
Savage Beauty Netflix [7]
Paradys [8]
2024 White Lies M-Net

References

  1. ^ Thangevelo, Debashine (16 July 2021). "Harriet Gavshon unpacks the other side of showbiz". IOL. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  2. ^ Smith, Theodore (27 November 2012). "Award-Winning INSIDE STORY Set for Pan-African Broadcast and Theatrical Distribution". Discovery. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  3. ^ "Curious Pictures becomes Quizzical". TVSA. 2 July 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Quizzical Pictures sets up studios and production facility". Screen Africa. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Curious Pictures Leads The Way With 24 SAFTA Nominations". TVSA. 6 October 2006. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Awards". Quizzical Pictures. Archived from the original on 2 November 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Savage Beauty is the stylish new all-African drama series we're looking forward to". Glamour. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  8. ^ Hopewell, John (22 March 2022). "'Paradys', a Bold South African Crime Thriller From Keshet International, Wins Series Mania's Forum Award". Variety. Retrieved 29 April 2022.