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Your next short film could take you from the KZN coastline to a safari lodge, with Club Med picking up the travel bill.
The holiday company is looking for two emerging social media creators to join its Cinematic Residence at Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari from December 1 to 8, 2026.
They’ll join two professional filmmakers for a week of filming, with each creating a short film inspired by the destination.
READ: South Africa's first Club Med resort officially opens on KZN's North Coast
What's the creative brief?
The theme centres on how people choose to spend their time when it belongs entirely to them. Club Med is looking for an original perspective, strong visual storytelling and a distinctive cinematic style.
Films must run for 30 to 45 seconds and use a landscape 16:9 format.
The setting offers two very different backdrops: the beach resort at Tinley Manor on the Dolphin Coast and Vikela Safari Lodge in a private Big Five reserve in northern KZN. Participants will have the freedom to interpret the destination through their own stories.
READ: Blue Flag beaches in Durban
What's included?
Travel, accommodation and meals are covered for the two selected creators.
The finished films will also go to a public vote, with the winning filmmaker receiving a stay at a Club Med resort of their choice. One participating voter, chosen at random, will win a holiday at Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari.
How to apply
Applications are open until November 1, 2026. Applicants must be at least 18, with travel provided for selected creators departing from South Africa, the European Union, Switzerland or the United Kingdom.
Visit Club Med’s dedicated Instagram and TikTok pages for the application form, submission instructions and full competition rules.
READ: The Durban bucket list worth getting out for
Prizes on offer
And there’s more than creative bragging rights at stake.
The two selected creators will have their travel, accommodation, and meals covered for the residency, while the filmmaker whose work wins the public vote will receive a stay at a Club Med resort of their choice.
There’s a holiday up for grabs for the audience, too. One voter, selected at random from those who participate, will win a stay at Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari.
READ: Club Med South Africa Beach & Safari Resort
How to get your foot in the door
The open call runs from 19 October to 1 November 2026, giving aspiring filmmakers a short window to get their creative pitches ready.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Travel arrangements will be provided for selected creators travelling from South Africa, the European Union, Switzerland or the United Kingdom.
- 19 October – 1 November 2026: Applications open. Visit Club Med South Africa’s Instagram and TikTok channels for the application form and competition rules.
- 2–6 November 2026: The two selected emerging creators will be contacted by Club Med.
- 1–8 December 2026: The Cinematic Residence takes place in South Africa, with filmmakers creating their short films.
- 11–22 January 2027: The films will be progressively released across Club Med’s social media channels.
- From 22 January 2027: The public can vote for their favourite film through an Instagram carousel.
Ready to say ‘action’?
Visit Club Med South Africa on Instagram or Club Med’s website for the application form and competition rules.
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