Launch of inaugural SA Film and Television Awards

"SAFTA will endeavour to, honour, celebrate and promote the talent and accomplishments of the South film industry with all the integrity and credibility possible" says SAFTA chairman and NFVF CEO, Eddie Mbalo.

"Over the past few years quality South African film and television product has travelled outside of our borders, and brought home international awards from around the world, the Oscar, the Golden Bear, The Stallion of Yenenga, you name it, we've been there. The time has come to celebrate and give recognition to our own talent on home ground."

Over 500 entries

Over 500 entries have been submitted by broadcasters, filmmakers, producers, students and stakeholders in the local film and television industry, covering the country's best feature films, short films, documentaries, television dramas, sitcoms and soapies, magazine, news and actuality, wildlife , children, variety and reality programmes.

The SAFTA executive committee - comprising industry representatives Kamscilla Naidoo and John Cronwright (SABC), Ferdi Gazendam (Ster-Kinekor), Debbie McCrum (Nu Metro), Bongiwe Selane (M-Net), Raymond Theart (PMA), Joel Phiri and Desiree Markgraaff (IPO), and Jackie Motsepe (NFVF) - has mandated the NFVF to stage the inaugural edition of the SAFTA Awards in 2006.

Over the next several weeks, judging panels made up of representatives of industry organisations, institutions, companies and media will select nominees and eventual category awards winners. The judging process will be overseen and results verified by independent auditors. The nominees for the awards will be revealed to the public and media at a function on 30 September.

Golden Horn

The winners will be presented with the Golden Horn, the official SAFTA trophy, at the gala ceremonies on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October that will host the crème of South African talent, leading personalities in the local film, television and music industry, key government, private sector and media VIPs.

"As we celebrate in 2006 our film and television industry's progress and success, it is important to highlight that we are really celebrating over a hundred years since 1896, when the first film was shot and screened publicly in the country [and] we are celebrating thirty years since 1976 when our country had its first public television broadcast" says SABC's group executive of content enterprises, Mvuzo Mbebe.

"The SABC is proud to be part of this initiative and has committed to a three broadcast partnership with SAFTA. We have a responsibility to while celebrating talent and creativity also encourage quality, excellence and the development of new talent in the South African film and television industry"

Long overdue

"I think that I will be speaking not only on behalf of the entire local film industry but indeed for all proud South Africans and our international friends and partners when I say that annual local awards that genuinely celebrate and give recognition to our local film and television talent on home ground are long over due," says the Independent Producers Organisation's Desiree Markgraaff.

"Through the SAFTA Awards and the Academy, we hope to highlight and profile both locally and internationally our industry's character and affinity to create quality product that presents a rich tapestry of South African life, while telling stories that truly represent who we are as a nation."

The main awards ceremony will be televised live on SABC2 on Saturday 28 October. Although most of the awards will be judged by panels made up of industry peers, local audiences will be able to vote for their favourite soapie and to win tickets to the awards ceremony via a phone in and SMS competition.