Michael S. Murphey is a renowned American feature-film and television producer who has made a significant impact in the industry since the early 1980s. His impressive credits include District 9, Dredd 3D, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, A Nightmare on Elm Street: Freddie's Revenge, From Dust Till Dawn II & III, and the TV series SAF3.
One of his most notable achievements is the production of District 9, which received a Best Picture Oscar nomination at the 2010 Academy Awards. Additionally, Dredd was the first 3D feature film shot in Africa and the very first film shot at the Cape Town Film Studios.
Michael's journey to South Africa began in 1994, where he spent over a decade producing several films, including projects with esteemed directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino.
In 2004, Michael returned to South Africa and served as the representative of the completion bond company, Film Finances, on numerous large-budget feature films shot in Sub-Saharan Africa for two years.
Now a permanent resident of South Africa, Michael is the proud owner of Kalahari Pictures, a Cape Town-based film company that has serviced and co-produced a number of film and TV projects in South Africa. Established in 2002, Kalahari Pictures has grown into one of Africa's leading production companies, boasting a track record that includes global blockbusters, Oscar nominees, and Emmy winners.
Michael is also a passionate advocate for the development of South Africa's film industry. He is a founding director of the non-profit organization, The Young Filmmakers Programme, which works to support and promote the country's next generation of storytellers and filmmakers. Additionally, he is a founder and board member of the Documentary Institute of South Africa, as well as a supporter of the DOCi Emerging Filmmakers Programme, which offers an Introduction to Documentary Filmmaking course in conjunction with the US Consulate and its American Corner.
