Steven Markovitz

Steven Markovitz has 30 years' experience in producing and distributing feature films and documentaries. He has worked with over 150 directors from 35 African countries on films, some of which have screened at festivals including Cannes, Sundance, Berlin, Toronto and Venice and many other festivals. Steven is the CEO and co-founder of Big World Cinema (established 1994).

Films he has produced sold to platforms and broadcasters including Amazon, Netflix, Channel 4, BBC, arte, Vice, Showtime, Canal+, PBS, MNET, SABC, SVT, Al Jazeera, Criterion Collection and have been theatrically released in numerous territories globally including USA, Canada, UK, Russia, Japan, Brazil, France and Germany and 20 African countries.

Some of the notable feature films and documentaries produced and co-produced include Augure by Baloji (Cannes, Un Certain Regard Prize winner, 2023) Tug of War by Amil Shivji (Toronto, Carthage Golden Tanit prize winner, 2021), Rafiki by Wanuri Kahiu (Un Certain Regard- Cannes /Toronto. 2018), aKasha by hajooj kuka (Venice Critics Week, Toronto, 2018) Viva Riva! by Djo Munga (Berlin,Toronto, SXSW, 2011) Stories of our Lives by Jim Chuchu (Winner of the Teddy Jury Award, Berlinale, 2014) and High Fantasy by Jenna Bass (Toronto/Berlin, 2017) and feature documentaries including Beats of the Antonov by hajooj kuka, (Winner of Documentary Peoples’ Choice Award, at Toronto International Film Festival, 2014) Winnie by Pascale Lamche (Winner World Cinema Documentary Director, Sundance, 2018).

He is a founding executive committee member of the Independent Producers’ Organisation of South Africa. He co-founded the Encounters: South African International Documentary Festival (1999) and Electric South (2016) and is a founding board member of DocA (Documentary Africa, 2018). He recently launched the African Producers Accelerator (APA). Steven is a member of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences and currently serves on its Executive Committee for the International Feature Film Award.

Steven has been knighted by the Republic of France and the Government of Burkina Faso for his contribution to African cinema. He has served on juries and funding selection panels in South Africa, Holland, Morrocco, Germany, Namibia, Jordan, USA, Burkina Faso and Lebanon.

He advises governments, production companies, funds, and cultural institutions on financial models, rights management, and international partnerships.