Maria Labuschagne

For as long as I can remember, creativity has been part of my DNA. I grew up in a family of artists and naturally gravitated toward art, textile design, jewelry design, sketching, sculpting, ceramics, and painting throughout my school years. It became clear early on that a conventional 9-to-5 career would never satisfy my need for movement, creativity, and problem-solving. I was drawn instead to a faster-paced, ever-evolving world — and film became the perfect fit.

My career in the film industry began in 1999, and since 2010 I have worked consistently as a Production Designer, Art Director and Set Decorator. Over the past 27 years, I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the industry’s finest production designers while collaborating alongside world-renowned local and international directors and production companies.

I have a strong instinct for visual storytelling and an ability to effortlessly interpret a director’s brief, translating ideas seamlessly into immersive sets and backdrops that bring commercials and films to life. I’m known for my hands-on, down-to-earth approach, a natural eye for aesthetics, and a practical ability to manage budgets while creating systems that keep productions running smoothly.

One of the things I value most about this industry is that there is always something new to learn. Every project brings together talented people, fresh techniques, and creative challenges — and I thrive in that environment.

For me, the most rewarding part of filmmaking is watching a vision come to life beautifully on screen, knowing that my team and I played a meaningful role in shaping that world.