Anything is possible.

About

Go Trolley Films produces highly effective, emotive, mobilizing content that has helped raise over $260 Million for development on the African continent. Films specifically focused on Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation in Africa have been viewed by over 800,000 people including relevant donors, stakeholders, partner institutions and the public. We also produce creative visual content for brands, NGOs and foundations.

Rolling since 2007, Go Trolley Films is an internationally award winning, specialized digital storytelling company that provides strategic content solutions for a range of important clients. We produce intelligent, powerful work that is both creatively and technically excellent. We believe in the power of exceptional storytelling and excel at powerful social development communications, media training and skills development.

Working with the ethos that ‘anything is possible’, the team has grown into a family of talented, committed professionals and we make and share big and small stories with equal care. We understand the different needs of television, online and mobile audiences and work with people and environments to find the human heart of any story we tell.

Go Trolley Films has led communications campaigns and produced effective documentary material for RUFORUM (28 African Universities of 164 member Universities covered in 13 countries since 2013), Research Africa (London, Ethiopia, Malawi), Stellenbosch University (South Africa, New York, London), University of Cape Town (South Africa), Rhodes University (Makhanda), OpenAIR African Innovation Research on Intellectual Property (Canada), Mastercard Foundation scholarship programme – TAGDEV (Kenya and Uganda) and several other significant projects for the Carnegie Foundation of New York, The Aids Healthcare Foundation (Uganda) and mothers2mothers (South Africa, Malawi).

At the heart of impactful media is the human story. When the audience connect to stories and are moved at a personal level, the message is lasting and impactful. It is on the foundation of these emotional stories that we can communicate more complex messages about education, climate change, women’s rights and African unity.

At the heart of all our films is emotion. Audiences need to be moved to act. This is the power of the documentary medium.

Go Trolley has 3 pillars: Digital storytelling, digital platform building and sharing and media skills training. Our core business lies in producing short form video and stills photography for mobile, online and television audiences. Beyond this we assist clients in developing  strategies that maximise the value and impact of the work we create. This includes the building of innovative digital platforms, social and other media campaigns. We also offer media and communication skills training for youth – empowering young people to be engaged, confident, curious and critical digital communicators. We believe in the power of digital storytelling to help build a resilient, prosperous Africa.

Selected Projects

For Krotoa | Stellenbosch University

Thuthuka and Elena

Cantona James on Showmax’s Spinners

Adipala to the World trailer

Lwazi Phakade on Being Elected to Serve His Community

Always A Matie with Elana Brundyn and Stephané Conradie

Kay Mason Foundation

Diocesan School for Girls

University of Cape Town’s 100UP

University of Cape Town’s SII

The Remarkable Story of Lucy Aciro

Robert F. Kennedy and the Other White House

Ruth’s RSIF Story

Beata Bena Green on Showmax’s Wyfie

Moving Giants

Always A Matie

Load more

Testimonials

‘Wow, what a brilliant piece you’ve made! I was jittery with joy watching this.’

‘The team at GoTrolley are gifted at making a story come alive… they have captured crucial narratives that present a compelling view of higher education that evades mass media telling of the story. If you’re looking for a company that will go the distance – and then some – GoTrolley is your best bet.’

‘Joanna Higgs, along with her team at Go Trolley Films, have successfully supported RUFORUM as media partners since 2014. They have efficiently produced 100 creative short films that have helped us enormously in our drive to mobilise support for Higher Education in Africa. They have travelled to 28 countries on the continent and visited 28 universities to profile our impact as an organisation.’

‘Thank you and your fantastic team for creating such an excellent film, to help us amplify the excellent work Nonceba are doing! Apart from anything, it sends a message of hope, which can be so rare and precious a commodity in too many situations.’

‘The videos that Go Trolley Films have produced for Stellenbosch University have the appropriate production values and key messaging that we need and as content linchpins, the videos that we have co-created are important elements in our content strategy – and we have been delighted to invest in them.’

‘We’ve worked with Go Trolley for many years and in every instance, we’ve been impressed by their professionalism and innovative, lateral thinking. Go Trolley does wonderful, thoughtful, beautiful work. Expect to be moved, inspired and motivated, proud of your association with this clever bunch of thought leaders, who know how to take a brief and make it sing.’

‘Go Trolley’s creativity and professionalism has greatly enriched the effectiveness of our video charity appeals. Go Trolley quickly grasp the essence of a story that needs to be told, work swiftly and deliver moving mini-documentaries that touchingly deliver the messages we need to be able to help animals around the world.’

‘Jo and Liezel at Go Trolley have been fantastic partners. Their particular superpower is in crafting a story around a message for maximum impact, with the focus on people telling their own story in an authentic, gripping and often moving and/or rousing way. Excellent at understanding our needs, creative in the development of content and organised on all the logistics, Go Trolley is a pleasure to work with.’

‘We started working with Go Trolley in 2023 and we haven’t looked back! Go Trolley are not only professional but they bring humanity to the art of filming. They treated our brand with the utmost respect and our message is always conveyed correctly and with heart.  Thank you to Jo, Liezel, Dylan, and the team for their professionalism and beautiful nature. We are so happy you are part of the KMF family!’

Featured videos

Thuthuka and Elena

M2M MALAWI

AIB Media Excellence Winner

The Remarkable Story of Lucy Aciro

Ruth’s RSIF Story

FRESHLYGROUND

Team

Jo Higgs

Jo Higgs

Producer / Director

Joanna Higgs is a filmmaker, narrator and award-winning director/producer who holds a masters degree in documentary production (UCT, 2004) and has been a video journalist, editor, producer and director for both South African and international television networks, including Reuters and the BBC. She started Go Trolley Films in 2007. Jo has created an enviable portfolio of media for development on the African continent in higher education, science, technology and innovation. She marries entertainment with social transformation – telling stories that effect positive change and amplify impact, awareness and mobilize support and partnerships. Her feature documentary projects include ‘I, Afrikaner’ (co-producer), ‘Driving William’ (Director/Producer), ‘Ada’s Harvest’ (Director).

Liezel Vermeulen

Liezel Vermeulen

Senior Producer

Liezel Vermeulen is an experienced documentary film producer and creative project development specialist, starting her career in teaching television theory at Rhodes University in 2000. She has gained extensive experience in the film industry. She wears many hats at GTF as a senior producer, creative problem solver and an all-rounder making things happen fast.

Dylan Alexander

Dylan Alexander

Post production supervisor

Dylan Alexander was hand picked from one of Cape Town’s leading film schools to join the GoTrolley team in 2019. Dylan manages our post production and works as a creative editor. He is an intelligent, natural storyteller, bringing brilliant new energy to the team.

Siphelo Guwa

Siphelo Guwa

Production Manager

Siphelo has been involved in numerous television, documentary and video productions. He is held in high esteem by many South African production companies. He is also a community leader, a people’s person and the chairperson of the Langa Tennis Club.

Contact us

  • +27 82 440 5202
  • 3 Hilltop Lane, Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

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