About Us

What do we do?

T.O.M PICTURES is a production company based in Johannesburg, South Africa that does work in the following areas:
* Film &Television production
* Television Commercials & Corporate Videos
* Education & Consultancy
* International facilitation
We are a Black Empowerment Equity company (66% owned), we produce quality film & video product for the film, television and the commercial & corporate markets

Our Standing

T.O.M. Pictures was founded in 2003 by Robbie Thorpe, Akin Omotoso, and Kgomotso Matsunyane and has very quickly established a reputation as one of the most progressive, creative and professional production companies in South Africa.

Our Mission ?

The basic ethos of the company is to make content that reflects the true nature of our African identity, and also to contribute to and participate in the growth and understanding of South Africa and the African continent.

Who are T.O.M. Pictures ?


Robbie Thorpe
Robbie has worked in film and television, firstly as an editor and later as both a producer and a director for over 20 years. After studying Film Production at the Pretoria Technikon, he lived and worked as an editor in London for four years. After returning in 1990 he worked mostly on international feature films and local and international documentaries where he quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest editors around. Looking for new challenges Robbie has gone on to become a Producer working in television, film and commercials. For T.O.M. Robbie has produced the multi award winning feature film Gums & Noses and is currently developing'In the Shadow of a Saint' a South Africa/Canada co-production starring Djimon Hounsou (Blood Diamond). Recent television includes the comedy series Sorted and the drama series A Place Called Home.

Akin Omotoso
Akin Omotoso is one of a new breed of young talented black actors and directors who are making inroads into small, selective film industry. He won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award For Film in 2007. 33 years old, Akin made his acting debut on stage at the University of Cape Town's Drama School. He has appeared in productions such as Isidingo on SABC 3, Big Oakes and most famously on Generations where he became a household name. In 2000 he wrote, directed and produced his debut feature film God Is African. In 2003 he together with Kgomotso and Robbie started T.O.M. pictures and since Produced and Directed film & television including Nomzamo (sit-com sabc1) Gathering the Scattered Cousins (documentary selected for the Toronto film festival) Rifle Road (short film selected for the Cannes film festival)

Kgomotso Matsunyane
Ms. Matsunyane graduated with a major in International Relations from Carleton College in Minnesota, U.S.A. She interned with the Washington offices of the BBC before taking on a full time position with the CBC as a line feeds recordist. On her return to South Africa, Ms. Matsunyane worked extensively as a documentary director and producer, making her mark with such pieces as "The Moon in My Pocket", "Sins of the Father" and "Heavy Traffic"- a STEPS for The Future film which was nominated for an award at the Banff Rockies Festival in Canada. Heavy Traffic has also been screened in April 2002 at the 21st Festival International Film du d'Amiens in Paris November 18th 2001, World Summit - JHB, 2002 and in FESPACO in 2003. Ms.Matsunyane directed several inserts for the award winning "Takalani Sesame". Ms. Matsunyane was a writer on the award winning series Yizo Yizo, and has experience producing drama. From 2001 - 2003 Ms. Matsunyane was employed as a drama commissioning editor for SABC 1, during which time Ms. Matsunyane oversaw the production of over 500 hours of local drama for the channel. After a stint at editor O magazine she is back at T.O.M. pictures and producing the multi-award winning children's educational series Soul Buddyz.

Craig Freimond
Craig completed his Drama degree at Wits University in 1988. Since then he has worked as a writer and director in theatre, television and film. His theatre works include "Edmond", "The Chalky White Show", "The Great Gatsby", "Jump", "Pygmalion", "Macbeth", "Sweet Phoebe", "Talk Radio", "Gums & Noses" and "The King of Laughter". His TV credits include "Not Quite Friday Night", "Soul Buddyz", "Scoop Schoombie", "Gazlam" and "Sorted". In 2004 Craig wrote and directed his first feature film Gums & Noses which was adapted from his play of the same name. Gums & Noses was produced by T.O.M pictures and because of the very successful working relationship Craig enjoyed with this company, Craig joined the company in 2005. Gums & Noses won the Apollo film festival award for best feature in 2004. His play "The King of Laughter" won three Naledi awards in 2004, including best new play, best director and best supporting actor. His most recent television work was co-creating and directing two seasons of the improvised comedy series "Sorted". Craig has since finished his new screenplay Stiff which is being developed by T.O.M Pictures.

Professional Achievements

A sample of the work done by the members of T.O.M. Pictures:

Television Drama:
Soul City
Tsha-Tsha
Yizo-Yizo
Saints, Sinners & Settlers
Sorted 1 & 2
Nomzamo
A Place Called Home

Educational:
Takalani Sesame
Soul Buddyz
Investigating the Living World

Corporate & Commercials:
FNB
SA The Good News
South African Music Week
Statistics South Africa
Lovelife
Eskom
Deloitte
SAA
Moneyweb

Feature Films:
God is African
Gums & Noses
Stiff (in development)
In the Shadow of a Saint (in development)

Factual/Reality:
10
The Big Idea
Scamto
Ordinary People
The Summit
Real Lives
Love Stories
Ghetto Diaries
Steps to the Future
Gathering the Scattered Cousins
Dust on our Feet
Famous for not being Famous