"The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards is the company's flagship corporate social investment project and is made possible by South Africans who have a passion for film and making a difference in other peoples lives", says Marilyn Watson, corporate communications manager, MultiChoice.
"It aims to encourage South Africans to focus beyond the lens, creating empathy, inspiring action, building national pride and, ultimately, generating income and awareness for the charities," continues Watson.
"The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards support the South African film and advertising industry, by showcasing professional talent and encouraging fresh, raw talent. They help to spread a message of hope to viewers through the free flighting of public service announcements on selected DStv channels."
VUKA! Short Cuts calls for 2 - 3 minute short films that are engaging, explorative and have at their heart a social investment message, the emphasis being on the storytelling (fictional narrative).
"The short film format is becoming increasingly interesting worldwide with the advent of new media platforms such as mobile phones and Internet," explains MultiChoice Corporate Affairs GM Jackie Rakitla. "VUKA! Short cuts will look for films that have powerful emotive content - the ability to move an audience and tell a story in a very short time"
The Multichoice Vuka! Awards make provision for entries in two categories, namely "Newcomer & Student entries" and "Professional entries", with the following awards given in both categories:
Workshops presented by leading industry figures will be hosted for student filmmakers in June at the following times and venues:
Johannesburg: 5 & 6 June - Wits University
Durban: 7 June - Bat Centre
Grahamstown: 9 June - Union building
Cape Town: 10 June - Labia Theatre
Entrants need to select their preferred charity or worthy cause, and then produce a film or public service announcement (PSA) linked to this theme. Over 1000 PSAs have been produced since the start of the competition.
Download an entry form from vuka.multichoice.co.za or pick up hard copies from most major industry suppliers and post-production facilities. Call Candice or Toni on +27 (0)11 804 2552 or email for more information.
The closing date for entries is 29 Sept 2006 with the awards ceremony in November.
