Jo Munnik (she/her) is an internationally acclaimed documentary filmmaker, journalist and photographer from South Africa.
Photo by Rijasolo on assignment in Madagascar.
She has spent two decades navigating the African continent—from 33 degrees South to 33 North—to uncover the stories that define our era. As the founder of a woman-led production house in Cape Town, she brings a signature blend of journalistic rigour and cinematic craft to visual storytelling and documentary, specialising in bridging the gap between African narratives and a global audience.
Her career was forged in the high-stakes furnace of breaking news and investigative journalism. Whether managing the 24-hour production of the Oscar Pistorius trial or spearheading coverage of Nelson Mandela’s passing for Carte Blanche, Jo developed an early instinct for moving fast without losing the human heart of a story—foundations she sharpened further during her years as the staff Africa features producer for CNN International.
Jo’s work is characterised by its immense versatility and creative breadth - from photography to cinematography, podcasts to print. Focusing on stories at the intersection of identity, conservation, and social justice - from producing immersive 360° impact films for brands to directing SAFTA-nominated documentary series on youth culture, capturing wildlife from across Africa for CNN, Disney+ and Nat Geo, writing for The Daily Maverick, producing podcasts and filming and directing a BBC documentary exploring South Africa's illicit psychedelic therapies.
As a guest lecturer and media trainer, she remains dedicated to the "deep dive," blending investigative journalism with high-end creative execution. Jo isn’t just filming history; she’s capturing the pulse of a continent—always exploring, always documenting, and always bringing the world closer to Africa.