Jarnell Meghan Kisten, a Durban University of Technology (DUT) alumna, film editor and videographer, has been in the film and television industry for more than four years. Born and raised in Phoenix, Durban, she holds both a Bachelor’s and an Honours degree in Applied Arts in Screen Arts and Technology from DUT. Despite undergoing multiple eye surgeries on her left eye during university due to a medical condition, Kisten’s sharp attention to detail and passion for storytelling remained unaffected. Her Honours film received an award for Best Sound Production and it was nominated for a Simon Sabela Film and Television Award in KwaZulu-Natal. She specialises in offline editing, dynamic visual storytelling, and camera assisting, with aspirations to advance from second AC (loader) to focus puller and camera operator. Her editing credits include The Invade Show, which aired on The Home Channel and streams on Prime Video United Kingdom, and she served as lead editor on the feature film The Cane Cutter, premiering in cinemas on November 21, 2025.
Having trained at Panavision under the mentorship of Keith Kenneth, she gained experience on commercials and long-form productions and is now based in Cape Town with the South African Film Academy where she continues to grow her craft in the film industry.
Sharing on her part played in contributing her skills in the making of the local movie The Cane Cutter, she explained that the film industry in Durban is relatively quiet compared to Johannesburg and Cape Town, so being invited to join the team for The Cane Cutter was an incredible opportunity that she knew she had to seize.
“Editing this film allowed me to highlight the rich local talent and beautiful Durban locations that deserve far more recognition. Through the process, I also gained a deeper appreciation for the city’s unique history and culture. I truly hope to see more film opportunities emerging for creatives in Durban in the near future,” she said.
During her Honours year at DUT, many students were given the opportunity to work as trainees on a film set for a few days. Her lecturer and Head of Department, Dr Lance Lutge, who served as the Director of Photography on the project, opened this door for the students. After the film was wrapped, she was referred to the director, Eubulus Timothy, for a position as an assistant editor.
“I successfully secured the role, and through dedication and hard work, progressed from assistant editor to the main offline editor,” she shared.
Taking on the role of an offline editor for a feature film marked a major milestone in Kisten’s career. Previously, she had worked on The Invade Show, a lifestyle series that aired on The Home Channel, DStv, and Prime Video UK.
“These projects stand out as two of my most significant editing achievements, and I’m incredibly proud of the creative growth and experience they brought me,” added Kisten.
For Kisten, her understanding of her role as an offline editor for The Cane Cutter was to shape the story during the post-production process. She was responsible for bringing together all the raw footage and assembling it into a coherent and emotionally engaging narrative that accurately reflected the director’s vision. This required both creative and technical editing skills, with a strong focus on storytelling, pacing, emotion, and continuity. Throughout the process she had worked closely with the director to refine performances, to select the strongest takes, and to establish the rhythm and tone of the film before passing it on to the online editor for the final touches.
“The film took approximately 13 months to complete, and, as with any project of this scale, it came with its share of challenges. I sifted through thousands of clips of raw footage, meticulously syncing them with the on-set audio-a task that was more complex than anticipated. Once that stage was complete, I faced an entirely new hurdle: starting a fresh timeline from scratch because the project file had been transferred between incompatible editing software, which required additional time and effort,” she said.
Kisten emphasised that collaboration with the director was sometimes intense, as they had both shared a strong commitment to creating a remarkable film. However, through open communication and mutual respect for each other’s vision, they were able to align their ideas. Ultimately, this partnership allowed the film to come together beautifully, reflecting both our creative perspectives.
“My journey into film editing didn’t start with certainty, it started with hesitation. During my early days at DUT, I actually avoided editing, letting teammates take the lead in group projects. Everything changed when I attended more lectures with Dr Lance Lutge and realised that I had a natural talent waiting to be nurtured. I threw myself into learning, practicing tirelessly until I could craft edits that truly reflected my vision. That persistence and self-belief transformed a once-dreaded task into a genuine passion and eventually gave me the confidence to step into the role of main offline editor for a feature film, a milestone that marked the start of my professional editing journey,” she indicated.
For Kisten, she believe that it’s vital for an alumna like herself to be involved in productions like this, as it offers inspiration and hope to current students pursuing the same field I studied.
“Being able to share my experiences demonstrates that the years spent studying truly paid off. It’s also rewarding for my lecturers to witness the impact of their guidance, as well as for my mentor, Mr Keith Kenneth from Multimedia, whose support has been invaluable,” she expressed.
Kisten’s journey in the film industry has been fuelled by faith, family, and mentorship.
“First and foremost, I am grateful to God, whose strength has guided me through every challenge along the way. My parents have been unwavering in their support, giving me the freedom to explore my passions and encouraging me at every twist and turn of this unpredictable creative path. Their belief in me has made all the difference. A special acknowledgment goes to my mentor, Keith Kenneth, whose guidance has been a cornerstone of my career. Through his mentorship, I’ve been given opportunities that allowed me to move, grow, and pursue my dreams,” she shared jubilantly.
One of Kisten’s greatest aspirations was to see her name on the big screen. Thanks to the support of these remarkable individuals, that dream has been realised, not only in the end credits but in the opening credits, marking an unforgettable milestone in my journey.
If one aspires to be a film editor, know that one’s journey will require as much patience and persistence as it does skill.
“Every great editor begins by mastering the basics, but what truly sets you apart is your commitment to storytelling, shaping emotion and meaning through the rhythm of cuts, transitions, and pacing. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes; each project, no matter how small, is a chance to learn and grow. Remember, film editing is a craft built on patience and passion. Trust your creativity, stay dedicated, and embrace setbacks, they are an essential part of every editor’s journey,” she said.
As she navigates between Johannesburg and Cape Town, her focus is on immersing herself in as many local long-form projects and commercials as she can. Each project is an opportunity to sharpen her craft, push creative boundaries, and grow as an editor. “My ultimate goal is to step confidently into international productions, and when that moment comes, I plan to grab it with both hands and show the world what I’m capable of. Being in Cape Town gives me the perfect vantage point to prepare, evolve, and rise to that next level,” concluded Kisten.
Pictured: Jarnell Meghan Kisten
Waheeda Peters
