SIMON HANSEN

Hansen has been working in the Film and entertainment industry since 1992.  One of his early achievements was to produce "Alive in Joburg", the film on which District 9 is based.

Hansen discovered and mentored long-time collaborators and friends Sharlto Copley and Neill Blomkamp and has continued to mentor many animators and film makers in the South African and Pan African Film Industry.  He partnered with Copley in his first VFX business   for well over a decade, Atomic VFX.  They wrote, filmed and produced content for ETV with a show called "Deadtime" which ran seven days a week on the nation-wide broadcaster.

In 2005 Simon and Sharlto produced a short film directed by Neill Blomkamp entitled Alive in Joburg,  which would go on to become the legendary "District 9",  a watershed film for  the South African industry, which put it 'on the map' in terms of international producers seeking original,  ground breaking stories from our shores.  Along with producing the short film which went on to be the Peter Jackson produced "District 9", Hansen also directed one of the units in District 9 itself.

One of the most visionary, talented and proficient film makers around, as a writer,  producer and director, he has helped to build a film industry in South Africa that can compete in the international arena. Known for his highly collaborative nature, resourcefulness and boundary challenging methodologies he takes innovative creative approaches to create world class production value in budget-volatile environments.  Whether it's directing, VFX Supervision, or post VFX production, this award winning artist, has gained a stellar reputation, and plaudits from collaborators such as top Hollywood directors Philip Noyce, Gavin Hood and Josh Trank.

His holistic approach to all aspects of the industry have earned Hansen the reputation of being a collaborative visionary with ground breaking technical nous, pioneering new innovations and creative techniques, in an ever changing landscape. This pioneering spirit spills over into his search for unique narratives, creating a singular voice that combines the artistic harmony of both style and substance.

His credits include “The Professionals – Danger Pays” 2020   Bharat Nalluri – Series, “USS Grant” 2019 – Limited Series, “Warrior” Season 2 – 2019 - Bruce Lee, Jonathan Tropper, "SAS Red Notice" 2018- Magnus Martens, Feature Film | Roles: 2nd unit Director, VFX Supervisor, VFX Producer. "Fonzo" 2018- Josh Trank, Feature Film | Role: VFX Supervisor, “The Resident” 2017- Phillip Noyce, TV Pilot | Role: VFX Producer, “The Red Sea Diving Resort” 2018- Gideon Raff, Feature Film | Role: Executive VFX Producer, “Tremors A Cold Day in Hell” 2018- Don Michael Paul, Feature Film | Role: Executive VFX Producer, “Bring It On: Worldwide Cheer smack” 2017- Robert Adetuyi,TV Film | Role: Executive VFX Producer, “Above Suspicion” 2017- Phillip Noyce, Feature Film | Role: Executive VFX Producer, “Roots – Night One” 2016 – Phillip Noyce, TV Show | Role: VFX Supervisor and VFX Producer, “Accident” 2017 – Dan Tondowski, Feature Film | Role: VFX Supervisor & VFX Producer, “Eye In The Sky” 2015 – Gavin Hood
Feature Film | Role: VFX Supervisor & VFX Producer, Fantastic Four” 2015 – Josh Trank ,Feature Film | Role: VFX Consultant, “Sophia Grace & Rosie's Royal Adventure” 2014 - Brian Levant, Video | Role: VFX Supervisor & VFX Producer, “Heatstroke” 2013 - Evelyn Purcell, Feature Film | Role: VFX Supervisor & VFX Producer, “The Girl” 2012 - Julian Jarrold, TV Movie | Role: VFX Supervisor & VFX Producer, “Chronicle” 2012 – Josh Trank
Feature Film | Role: VFX Supervisor.

ALI MALEKA

A precocious talent from the start, award winning artist and innovator, Ali Maleka won an Avanti award for Mad Dog in 1998, on his first ever effort at 3d Animation. In 1998 he went on to form Atomic Visual Effects with partners Simon Hansen, Dave Wilson (Bloodshot) and Sharlto Copley (District 9). 

He was responsible along with his partners, Simon Hansen, Sharlto Copley for collaborating with Neill Blomkamp on a variety of his projects including “Yellow”, “Alive in Joburg”, “District 9” and various ground breaking commercials like Blomkamp’s “Citroen Transformer”. Close to Blomkamp in his fledgling career, he created the base model for the famous Alien mother ship in District 9 and worked on Blomkamp’s short ‘Tempbot’ (the basis for full length feature Chappie.)

By 2004, he was lead digital concept artist on the ground breaking documentary” What the B#$P do we know.” A seminal documentary, incorporating a large proportion of VFX, Ali was a core part of the team that designed the striking visual set pieces, heralded by the VFX community at the time.    

Ali worked on films in both VFX and animation departments with a spectrum of diversity such as Gavin Hoods “Eye in the Sky” (taking the lead in designing the Micro UAV Beetle and bird) “Bring it on, Worldwide” and “The Scorpion King, Rise of a Warrior”, “The Lion of Judah”. His TV Series works include “Tutankhamun” “The Resident” and “Grant”.   

Hansen went on to form Inspired Minority VFX, continuing the legacy of excellence in the VFX industry,  created by himself and Maleka, while Ali took a short hiatus, in which he pursued his passion for innovative design and problem solving in other industries.

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Lightseed Creations (PTY) ltd sees them joining forces once again, to re-foster the original pioneering spirit of their 21 year creative partnership in the VFX industry. A company that provides VFX solutions, developing and licensing innovative I.P for the VFX and film market, around the world, Lightseed will venture into such diverse areas as VFX production and supervision and production design innovations that can be applied to other production departments, i.e.: Art department, armourers, etc. 

Hansen will exec produce, while Maleka will head up the innovation and I.P development. The combination of these two award winning talents offer a wealth of technical nous and intellectual capital combined with decades of experience between them producing VFX work on features and commercials.

Lightseed Creations (PTY) ltd will continue the legacy set by Hansen and Maleka’s long established partnership, of providing creative solutions to filmmakers. This includes ‘demystifying’ the VFX process to all concerned, unleashing its true creative applications  through a holistic understanding of all of the processes that are vital for a productions success.