SJ van Breda is currently a director and editor in South Africa, working through FBDF, a full-service production company. SJ is also head of post-production for US-based interactive media company MiPix Media.

SJ as born and raised in Durban, South Africa. She graduated as a mechanical engineer from the University of Cape Town, and worked in the aerospace research field for two years, before pursuing film at Vancouver Film School. She graduated with honours with specialisations in directing, post-production, and cinematography.

She focuses on unique video content in conjunction with NGOs such as WWF, UNFPA, UNICEF, FairTrade Africa, The Atlantic Institute’s Atlantic Fellows Programme, and The Kingsley Holgate Foundation. SJ’s recent clients include Xiaomi Studios, FiLMiC Pro, Frame.io, Zhiyun, Mercedes Benz Beautiful News by Ginkgo Agency, The Cape Town Opera, Aimer Films, Storyhive Canada, Pantone, ScreamFest 2020, COW Agency London, Makhulu, Single Blade of Grass Productions and Eamon & Bec. SJ also works with Blackbird Film Festival and OXIFF as a festival selection judge. he also served as an instructor and jury member for the inaugural MMOCA Film Festival in Cape Town in 2020.

SJ has screened films at Whistler Film Festival, Oxford International Film Festival, Chilliwack Independent Film Festival, SA Indie Festival, and has filmed two shorts in Italy for the Pigneto and CICI Film Festivals. She was also placed in the top 10 of the Nespresso Talents 2018 and 2020, was selected as a Top Talent for the Adobe Design Achievement awards. SJ was a speaker on mobile filmmaking at the FilmicPro creator summit 2020.

SJ most recently won the mini documentary prize at the Moment Invitational Film Fest 2021, was a finalist at SF3 2021, won the documentary prize at SMart: The London International Smartphone Film Fest 2021, and the documentary category of Filmic Fest 2019.

SJ focuses on creating unique and insightful content with a keen focus on writing, directing and editing. She is a multi-skilled film professional and has worked in every facet of film production.