KFC Unveils 'Bottomless Bucket' Spot Director Zee Ntuli

KFC’s latest TV commercial, 'Bottomless Bucket,' has been a social media sensation, garnering praise for its stunning visuals and off-beat, tongue-in-cheek humour. Shot in a charming small town in the heart of South Africa, this captivating ad showcases KFC's new Bottomless Bucket in a way that blends the brand’s signature fun with cinematic artistry.

The commercial, developed in collaboration with Ogilvy South Africa and produced by Darling Films South Africa, brings the iconic KFC Bucket promotion to life through the lens of Zee Ntuli, a director renowned for his ability to craft culturally relevant and visually striking content. With his cinematic expertise, Zee delivers a film that is both humorous and visually breath taking, captivating audiences far beyond the screen.

Snooze Kambuwa, executive creative director at Ogilvy South Africa, shares his excitement about the project, “When Ogilvy and KFC set out to launch the incredible promotion offering South Africans the chance to win a KFC Bucket that never runs out of chicken, we knew the work had to reflect the iconic legacy of the KFC Bucket and KFC’s irresistible Original Recipe Chicken. This is where team Darling and director Zee Ntuli came in, bringing the concept to life with exceptional creativity. They took an already remarkable promotion and elevated it into an even more unforgettable narrative. Zee really brought the magic to life on screen with his bold and innovative signature style that also showcased Mzansi in a fresh, cinematic light.”

Grant McPherson, group CMO of KFC, also praised the collaboration, “It has been an absolute privilege to work with Zee over the past six months on two standout campaigns. When we were first presented with the scripts, I immediately asked if Zee was available. Zee and the Darling team are outstanding collaborators. They create an environment where everyone—from agency, to production, to clients—can co-create, build, and challenge ideas.

What I particularly love about Zee’s approach is that he brings his own ideas to any board and then executes that board with his incredible cinematic style, while delivering performances that are culturally relevant and compelling to watch.

It has been incredible working with Zee and the team, and we all look forward to the next one.”

The “bottomless bucket” commercial has already garnered significant buzz online, with social media users praising the ad’s humour, captivating visuals, and the clever blending of KFC’s signature brand elements. The small-town South African setting provides a charming backdrop, while the film’s innovative cinematography elevates the KFC story to new heights, leaving an indelible mark on fans worldwide.