Stacey Gerber: From farm to film school

MetFilm School awards a full scholarship for the professional advancement of female filmmakers. Every year they offer scholarships, covering the full course fees on one of their BA or MA degree courses.

The specialist film school has campuses in London, Leeds and Berlin.

The Voices That Matter Scholarship – Women in the Screen Industries, was created to support the next generation of female filmmakers, recognising the importance of accessibility and equality within the screen industries.

For 2023, 23-year-old South African Stacey Gerber has won one of these scholarships. She’ll study, tuition-free, for a one-year MA course starting in autumn 2023 at MetFilm School in Berlin.

Stacey Gerber, from Cape Town, nurtured her love for film amidst the setting of her childhood home, a farm. Today, she’s embarking on a new chapter, having won a scholarship to study the MA Documentary and Factual at MetFilm School’s Berlin Campus.

“I spent a large portion of my upbringing on a farm surrounded by animals, capturing their essence through my camera lens,” Stacey recalls. “It was on that farm that my love for camera work, documenting and storytelling began to take root.”

This passion wasn’t just a fleeting childhood hobby. It drove her to the University of Cape Town, where she studied Psychology and Film. “Alongside my core studies, I delved into subjects like Chinese, anthropology, and information systems, broadening my knowledge across different fields,” she explains.

A chance overseas trip to Berlin last year, which she described as a pivotal moment, introduced her to new possibilities. “It was there that a friend introduced me to the remarkable studying opportunities, one of them offered by MetFilm School.

She explained that the visit ignited a spark within her, determined to seize this chance, Stacey knew a scholarship would be her only chance of getting there – she applied straight away.

Life hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the 23-year-old. “My path wasn’t without obstacles,” she explained. Growing up in a single parent household, Stacey faced financial challenges head-on. “I took on part-time jobs while still in high school and university, juggling my studies to repay student loans.”

But Stacey felt all her hard work had paid off when she got the news about the MetFilm School scholarship. “What started as an ordinary Tuesday afternoon transformed into a profound moment of disbelief, joy, and excitement!

“The first person I told about the scholarship was my mother, who is my unwavering source of support and motivation.”

Around the time of Stacey going to university, her passion for film making centred more and more towards documentaries, she said: “I found my heart in documentaries and real-life stories.”

Inspired by Cape Town’s rich cultural heritage, she intends to share meaningful stories that have a lasting impact. “I aim to use film to foster empathy, challenge stereotypes, raise awareness, and educate while authentically portraying these stories onscreen.”

As Stacey gears up for her time at MetFilm School, her excitement is palpable, she said: “I’m looking forward to the hands-on practical experience that the course offers, the opportunity to refine and master my skills is something I’m genuinely looking forward to.”

Stacey’s enthusiasm extends to the diverse group of students she’ll be learning with, as she believes that “learning from each other’s unique perspectives and insights is a prospect that genuinely excites me.”

However, any new journey brings its own set of challenges. “Like any new adventure, there are a couple of adjustments I anticipate making,” Stacey explained. “One of these adjustments is the transition back to student life after a year of working.”

With aspirations that include creating a documentary that resonates internationally and even establishing her own production company, Stacey’s determination in the world of film seems unstoppable. As she puts it, “With this scholarship, I will embark on a journey of transformation, not only for myself but for the stories I aspire to tell.”

For Stacey, this scholarship isn’t just an academic opportunity—it’s a stepping – stone to dreams that span continents.