Despite the controversy always associated with the awards, this could be a thing of the past, according to the National Film and Video Foundation’s CE Zama Mkosi, who addressed guests at the nominees announcement held at the swanky Inanda Country Club, Johannesburg earlier today.
“The awards are an on going process to fix or mend what other industry members may deem its unnecessary, for they have not entered the awards for reasons best known to them,” she said, an obvious reference to the popular soapies such as Generations: The Legacy and Muvhango who once again snubbed the awards.
Having said that we’re also trying to rectify the bad publicity associated with the awards, and also our budget is way too minimal. Don’t be surprised seeing a small stage as opposed to the bigger one at the awards ceremony,” said Mkozi, with a tongue in cheek -accompanied by laughter from guests.
The awards ceremony will be held at Sun City (Bokone Bophirima) for the next three years after a contract with the provincial Government was penned.
79 awards will be handed out with Vaya having notched more than five categories, Inxeba (The Wound), Ses Top La 4, Puppet Nation ZA and Isibaya, amongst others leading the pack with more than five nominations each. Nationally 262 judges oversaw the two judging phases.
The awards range from TV non-fiction, TV fiction, feature films, short films to student films.
“I would like to congratulate all the nominees for this achievement, reaching this stage from 348 entries is no small feat as the quality of entries left judges deliberating well after midnight each night, deciding on their top 3 nominees for each category.
I encourage the industry to continue to produce exceptional productions and to strive for excellence so that these awards can get better each year. I would also like to wish all the nominees the best of luck and we will continue to celebrate you,’’ said Mkosi.
The awards also welcomed IDC as a category sponsor in addition to McCafe, the North West Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA) and Ster-Kinekor.
A special event will be held on March 9 in Sun City to celebrate the nominees, followed by the three-day awards ceremony from 22 to 24 March 2018.
A full list of the SAFTAS 12 nominees can be found on the following link: https://goo.gl/SnQVio
Yes, one would have expected a moment of silence for fallen TV stars Sandy Mokwena and rre David Phetoe aka Paul Moroka.
Both legends rest eternally in Peace!
