Roydon Turner (born 20 November 1973) is a British-South African film Director, producer, businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder and executive chairman of the non-profit organisation Orgamites, and CCO on the board of trustees for the UK-based charity, Live Life Give Life.
Early life and education
Turner was born in South Africa on 20 November 1973. He attended Selborne College in the Eastern Cape and is the nephew of politician Donald Card, who at the time was head of the municipal government and mayor of the provincial capital city. Turner pursued his higher education at the School of Art and Design, South Africa.
Early career
Turner began as an art director at TBWA\Hunt\Lascaris, before relocating to London where he was appointed creative director at J. Walter Thompson Worldwide. He subsequently held senior creative roles across the capital before founding his own agency. His work included the development of international campaigns and cross-border initiatives for major corporations, earning him a D&AD Pencil Award.
Filmography
Following a career in the arts, Turner transitioned into filmmaking, debuting with Stones. The film won Best Feature at the London Independent Film Festival. He has since worked across a range of formats including short films, ballet productions, campaigns, animations, and documentaries through his own production companies.
Selected features
Year |
Title |
Format |
Role |
|---|---|---|---|
2013 |
Payada pa’ Satan |
Short |
Associate producer |
2015 |
Coaching Penguins |
Short |
Director |
2016 |
The Making Of: Iris Warriors |
Documentary |
Director |
2016 |
Stones |
Feature |
Director |
2017 |
History in Motion: Cadogan Tate at the White House |
Short |
Director |
2019 |
Lewis Capaldi: Someone You Loved |
Music video |
Associate producer |
2020 |
Mula |
Short |
Associate producer |
2021 |
Heart of Hope |
Feature |
Director |
2022 |
Iris Warriors |
Feature |
Director |
2022 |
The Girl and the Tsunami |
Short |
Associate producer |
Orgamites
Turner is the founder and executive chairman of Orgamites, an international non-profit organisation that promotes paediatric health education and organ donation awareness. He established the organisation in 2012 through his not-for-profit community interest company.
The Orgamites Education Programme has been introduced into curricula in several countries, including Canada, Greece, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Turner has partnered with health organisations and government bodies including DKMS Africa, Canadian Blood Services, NHS Blood and Transplant, Onassis Foundation, The British Transplantation Society, The Western Cape Government, and The Greek Ministry of Health. His work has also been featured by prominent media outlets, notably the BBC and CBC News.
Live Life Give Life
Turner sits on the board of trustees as chief creative officer of Live Life Give Life, a UK-based charity that promotes organ donation awareness through public campaigns and engagement. He also developed the Let Love Live On campaign. In an interview with Canadian Blood Services, Turner stated:
By enabling families to have the all-important organ donation conversation, we aim to empower people to voice their decision, drastically increasing the number of organs donated and subsequent lives saved.
In 2021, Turner met with the family of Belle Curran, a young organ donation advocate, to develop her concept into the children’s book My Engine Parts. The book was launched during Organ Donation Week 2022, in her memory.
Lewis Capaldi: Someone You Loved
In 2019, Turner contributed to the production of the music video for Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi, featuring Peter Capaldi, in collaboration with Live Life Give Life and Virgin EMI Records. The video incorporated a narrative designed to promote awareness of organ donation. It reached No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart, and was nominated for the 62nd Grammy Award for Song of the Year. It later won the 2020 Brit Award for Song of the Year.
External links
- Roydon Turner at Onassis Foundation