The Dream Lab Productions
What does your company do?
The Dream Lab productions is a production company founded by me, Valencia Joshua in 2015. The company produces films, shows, commercials, music videos and does philanthropy work. The company provides sustainable employement and opens its doors to students, and up and coming creatives whilst producing world class standard production quality. The Dream Lab Productions aims to tell authentically local, powerful stories with strong universal themes, offering primary opportunities to skilled females in film as well as opportunities for disadvantaged & up and coming passionate creatives.
What is your biggest success?
Valencia Jo-Ann Joshua – Filmmaker, Writer, Director, Producer
B.A. Honours in Film Directing & Screenwriting – AFDA Cape Town
Graduation film, Juncture: 7 nominations, 7 awards, earned Master’s bursary
Holds a degree in Theology
2014: Directed Himmat (shortlisted internationally, written and directed by Valencia)
2015: Himmat selected at Durban International Film Festival, won “Production Merit Award,” showcased at Grahamstown Arts Fest
Represented SA at Toronto international film festival, won Creative Mind Award for Best Screenplay
Directed live multimedia shows for 5,000+ audiences
Created 20+ films, TV, commercials, music videos
2018: Founded The Dream Lab Productions
Works include The Land of the Free, Before 8am (aired on BET DSTV, 3x Simon Sabela nominee, 2023)
Creative Director at Black City Records (endorsed by East Coast Radio)
Radio music video hit No.1 East Coast Radio, Sabela nominee (2023)
2023: Top 6 in writer out of 30 globally at Canex/Afriff Script to Screen.
2023: No.1 writer out of 8 in PESP Tomas Lab; feature film in production as a result.
2024: Chosen at top 3, No1. in Algeria Canex for orignal work, Boy and King, film now being produced.
2024: Secured Durban Film Office fund + NFVF funding for projects;
2024: 40 Under 40 SA award for Music and Entertainment
2025: Producing animation with KZN Film & Tourism
Latest music video: Heaven ft. Gwyn, Kyle Deutsch & Abacikozi
What has been your biggest hurdle?
The film industry is exciting but tough, especially for young female filmmakers like myself. It’s male-dominated, unstable, and often exploitative. Early in my career, I found that without creative control, my work was used without fair recognition or freedom. I’ve had to work ten times harder to earn respect, face constant funding struggles, and deal with challenges like harassment and being undermined. Despite the lack of financial security, I remain deeply committed to my dream, trusting in God and pushing forward with purpose. To reclaim power and protect myself and others from exploitation, I started my own company. Through it, I’ve created a safer, fairer space for filmmakers, one where people are valued, protected, and paid justly. It's the environment I always needed, so I built it.
