Nominees selected for WGSA Muse Awards 2014/15

M-Net Corporate Affairs Director, Kershnee Govender, says, "For the past 29 years, M-Net has remained a sponsor of local arts and culture initiatives. This event confirms our belief in the important and often undervalued role that writers in various disciplines play in South Africa. These writers bring the many diverse stories of our multi-faceted society to life, in so doing enriching the lives and cultural fabric of all who come into contact with their work."

"A substantial number of entries were received for the WGSA Muse Awards and we would like to thank all the writers who submitted their scripts for consideration. The judging benchmark for this year has been set high, and entries have now been evaluated by the first round judges," said Harriet Meier, the chairperson of WGSA.

"The top three scripts reaching or surpassing the standard set by the minimum judging criteria make up the nominees. These screenplays will proceed to the next phase, where the winners will be selected by a new set of judges, which include big name international writers, agents and Writers' Guild representatives from around the world."

Nominees

• Tracy Eccles: Wheelin'

Documentary:

• David Forbes: The Cradock Four
• Meg Richards: 1994: The Bloody Miracle
• Peter Goldsmid: Dance Up From The Street

TV Comedy/Sitcom:

• Fidel Namisi: Call Centre
• Joshua Rous: By the Numbers

TV Drama:

• Amor Tredoux: Danz! Episode 6
• Marina Bekker: Thola Episode 1
• Shirley Johnston: Traffic: Episode 25

Stage Play:

• Janet van Eeden: A Matter of Time
• Janet van Eeden: In-Gene-Uity
• Janet van Eeden: The Savage Sisters

Spec Script:

• Fidel Namisi: Bring Back Lost Lover
• Hanneke Schutte: Meerkat Moonship
• Zamo Mkhwanazi: The Good Doctor

No nominations were made for radio plays and the 100+ feature film entries received were all for unproduced screenplays. As such, it was decided by the organisers to dedicate the Spec Script in Any Genre category this year solely to Feature Films and to include unproduced work in other genres in their own genre categories.

Judges

The WGSA gratefully acknowledges the hard work of the judges from all industry sectors, who participated in this extensive first round.

• Animation Albert Du Plessis, Julie Hall, Yolanda Lindeque-Strauss

• Documentary Carolyn Carew, Veronica Stewart, Vlokkie Gordon
• TV Comedy/Sitcom Harriet Meier, Nim Geva, Theoline Maphutha, Tracey-Lee Dearham, Yolanda Lindeque-Strauss
• TV Drama Anna-Marie Janse van Vuuren, Dorette Nel, Eubulus Timothy, Harriet Meier, Jacqui Achilleas, Saskia Schiel, Theoline Maphutha
• Spec Script: Feature Film Adze Ugah, Amor tredoux, Anneke Villet, Dan Jawitz, Dorette Nel, Elsa van Schalkwyk, Harriet Meier, Jan Engelen, John Hill, Joy Sapieka, Marc Nekaitar, Matthew Kalil, Quanita Adams, Robert De Mezieres, Sam Phillips, Thandi Brewer, Victor Molele, Yolanda Mogatusi
• Radio Play Harriet Meier, Lelia Etsebeth, Veronica Stewart

• Stage Play Karen Jeynes, Paulette Reynecke, Sam Phillips