Biography

Producer/Director, Odette Schwegler is a filmmaker and content specialist with over two decades experience in directing and producing award-winning television.

Listed among the 40 most influential people in South African media under 40, she has established herself as a successful business woman and content strategist; a skilled director and a proficient executive producer.

A keen interest in the 'human condition' and an empathy for people who want to tell their stories - whatever the story - give Odette's work a characteristic authenticity and compassion.

Storytelling is her passion, her purpose.

The owner of Blink Pictures (and formerly, co-owner of Backyard productions), Odette has specialised skills in all aspects of production - technical; creative and business. She has applied these skills with success to hundreds of productions for local and international clients

Odette is experienced, committed, passionate and demands nothing less than excellence from herself and the teams she leads. Odette's reputation in the industry has earned her pride of place on judging panels for the SAFTA and International Emmy Awards as well as a position on the Executive Committee of the Branded Content Marketing Association.

A philanthropist with a passion to serve, Odette has supported numerous charitable endeavours over the years - including the NSRI; JAM International; Hospice, Animal Anti-Cruelty; Seeds of Hope; the Nelson Mandela Foundation and Sunflower Fund. Perhaps most notable are her ongoing contributions to raising awareness and improving care for MND patients - particularly in South Africa's underserved communities. Alongside Joost van der Westhuizen, Odette established the Joost van der Westhuizen Centre for Neurodegeneration in 2014 and manages the NPO, while serving as a Director of the board.

In 2019, Odette established the Tin Soldiers FOP Outreach programme with a mission to roll out a global awareness and patient identification programme. The vision: To identify every person with FOP who is undiagnosed, giving them access to resources, support and appropriate medical care - including access to treatments as they become available.

Awards:

2019: Hollywood Independent Filmmakers Awards & Festival: Winner (Honourable Mention) - Tin Soldiers 2019: Jozi Film Festival: Winner (Honourable Mention) - Tin Soldiers 2017: Amasa Gold Award (Branded content) - #BreakTheNet 2016: LA All Sports Film Festival : Best Foreign Film - Glory Game 2016: Vancouver SA Film Festival: Best Documentary - Glory Game 2012: National Press Club Journalist of the Year - Police Chief in Hot Water 2012: WWB Legal Journalist of the Year - No Justice for Kids 2009: CNN African Journalist of the Year (Runners Up) - In Sheep's Clothing 2009: The Taco Kuiper Award for Investigative Journalism (Runner-up) - In Sheep's Clothing 2007: CCN African Journalist of the Year (Television) - Angel of Soweto Exposed 2005: WWB Legal Journalist of the Year (Silver) - Charge to Conviction 2004: SAB Environmental Journalist of the Year (Winner) - DRD in Papua New Guinea 2003: USA / South African Health Journalist of the Year (Winner) - Emergency Room 2003: Profile Awards: Recognising Journalistic Contribution to Excellence in the Field of Technology (Winner) - Cyborg 2002: WWB Legal Journalist of the Year (Silver) - Pardon Me 2001: WWB Legal Journalist of the Year (Winner) - More Than Their Fair Share 2001: SAFTA (Craft Award) - Tow Truckers 2000: African Journalist of the Year - Elder Abuse

Production Highlights:

Tin Soldiers Genre: Documentary Position: Executive Producer

Glory Game - The Joost van der Westhuizen Story Genre: Documentary Client: Mnet Movies/kykNet Position: Executive Producer

Carte Blanche (1997 - 2015) Genre: Investigative / Current Affairs Client: Mnet Position: Senior Producer/Director

Help For Healing Genre: Documentary Client: Aspen Pharmacare Position: Executive Producer

Champions Genre: Documentary Client: UNAIDS Position: Executive Producer

Hage Geingob: Man of the Hour Genre: Documentary Client: DSTV Position: Director/Producer

Touching Lives Genre: Advertising (Branded Content Campaign) Client: SARS Position: Co-Executive Producer

Hangman Genre: Unscripted Entertainment (Branded Content Campaign) Client: Cell C Position: Executive Producer

#BreakTheNet Genre: Unscripted Entertainment (Branded Content Campaign) Client: Cell C Position: Executive Producer

Living It - Africa Genre: Unscripted Entertainment Client: Mnet Africa Position: Series Producer

You're Hired Genre: Unscripted Entertainment Client: SABC Position: Series Producer

Diamonds and Destiny Genre: Docu-drama Client: DeBeers Position: Co-Executive Producer
- IMDb mini biography by: Odette Schwegler