Maganthrie Pillay comes from Chatsworth, Durban, a descendant of indentured labourers, a mother who was a dressmaker and father who worked in a shoe factory. She has worked across theatre television, features, film festivals and film training. She became the first black woman to direct a feature film in South Africa, 34 South in 2005 (Premiered at Pan African Film Festival in LA) She has worked as Episode Director on the acclaimed reality show Imagine Afrika. Maganthrie has directed over 40 documentaries for Television, UN Agencies etc. She has been involved in activism since her youth. She produced and directed Manje!, Red Rituals, Maps of Memory original work created with women poets. She was part of WEAVE and Ink @ Boiling Point. 21st Century Writing by Black Women from the Tip of Africa. She was a Senior Researcher and Writer on the 1st SABC Commissioning Procedures. Was the festival Director of the 1st South African International Women’s Film Festival. Maganthrie was a founding member of Independent Producers Organisation, Documentary Filmmakers Association, Black Film and Video Makers Association. On the board of the GLOW( Gay and Lesbian Organisation of the Witwaterand) Cape Film Commission, SWIFTSA. Currently Co-Chair of IBFC (Independent Black Filmmakers Collective. Durban Film Mart( Co chair 2023, Board member 204-2025)She has been invited to many festivals both local and international to show her films, be a moderator, panellist and jury member. Advisory Panel( NAC- visual Arts), NFVF Advisory Panel- Documentaries, Selection Panel( Netflix) African Folk Tales).