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The sky is the limit for Thishiwe Ziqubu

Award-winning Thishiwe Ziqubu is making great strides in the movie industry.

She is in the early stages of scripting and directing her debut feature film.

Ziqubu revealed the news at the SA Film and Television Awards (Saftas) nominations meeting a week ago in Bryanston, Johannesburg.

"I just got development funding from the NFVF [National Film and Video Foundation] for my first feature film that I would be directing and writing," Ziqubu says.

The Rhythm City star exudes free-spirited charm. She had been on her feet the entire morning, doing interviews and affording everyone her undivided attention.

It did not hurt anyone that she was also showing off the hottest cleavage in the room in her African print number. To complete her Afro-centric chic look, Ziqubu styled her bright-hued dress with a matching vibrant doek, minimal make-up and sneakers.

"It's early days, like I said, it's development funding. So we are still working through the script. I hope it all goes well. We have done a lot of research already. A lot of the ground work has been laid," she says.

It was at the 2015 Saftas where Ziqubu first caught the country's attention when she won the best actress award in a feature film for her portrayal of Skiets in director Zee Ntuli's Hard to Get.

Last year, the Saftas once again recognised her undoubted talent. She was recognised in the same category for her role in While You Weren't Looking but lost out to actress Fulu Mughovani.

Ziqubu won best actress in a supporting role at the 2016 Africa Movie Academy Awards in Nigeria for her role in director Akin Omotoso's romantic drama Tell MeSweet Something. Ziqubu is getting ready to shoot another film in June.

"I love movies," she says.

Ziqubu studied scriptwriting and directing at Afda. She also directed Isidingo actor Motlatsi Mafatshe's short film Subdued a few years ago.

Fans can catch a glimpse of her directorial prowess in the 24-minute short film Sinana Makotsana that will be shown on SABC1 soon.

Her impressive resumé as a scriptwriter includes working on popular shows such as Rhythm City, Isidingo and Scandal!

"I started off as a writer. I was a scriptwriter before I started acting. I studied directing in film school, so a lot of people are surprised to see me in front of the camera. For me it's two sides of the same coin. It's about expression and storytelling. Whether I'm acting, directing or writing, I still find a story in something."

Ziqubu made her acting breakthrough as con artist Nox in Rhythm City in 2015. Her stay on the show was short-lived when Nox ran out of cons and skipped town.

She once again has the country buzzing after she reprised the role recently. Although she claims to be reformed, viewers quickly learn that Nox is up to her same old tricks. Her stay is again not long term, just like the last time.

"I like playing complex, intelligent roles. I find myself being given or being entrusted with such complex roles," she says.

Her other TV gigs include roles in It's Complicated, High Rollers and Tempy Pushas. Throughout her acting career, Ziqubu has avoided committing long-term to a soapie.

When asked if this has been a conscious decision on her part, she replies: "It's partly a conscious decision. I mean for soaps, if you are going to get a contract that commits you for three years, it isn't always in line with my life plan. Cinema is my first love.

"So even before I got onto TV, I did films. So film work can come up at any time. I don't want to walk out on a production because of other commitments.

"But also because I write and direct. A full-term soapie role will be a bit challenging for me, time wise. I am not opposed to soapies, I can do six months at most."