Cannes Festival - and film career - beckons top SA model

Fashion TV, the only international channel dedicated to fashion, which reaches more than 500 million viewers in 132 countries, will also host the top SA model and other winners from around the world at the Monaco Grand Prix. .

"Fashion TV is looking on all five continents for models who want to become movie stars," says chairman of the SA judging panel and show director Jan Malan who helped launch the Face of Africa model competition in 2001.

"All 20 models who make it into the South African show will get international exposure. The show will be aired extensively on Fashion TV. The 20 contestants will also get a screen test for Egoli, the popular MNet production, with the winner being featured in a cameo role in an Egoli episode."

Malan who directed the Ford Models Supermodel of the World contest in Miami Beach and has also worked on New York Fashion Week, says models aged 16 to 22 are being chosen for the SA finals of the Fashion TV model awards.

"Apart from a few years experience in modelling, including ramp work, our finalists will preferably have acted or will have the potential to become an actress. For that reason, the judging panel includes people able to spot theatrical talent."

Malan says the 20 models for the SA show, which is being sponsored by Old Mutual Properties, are being chosen following invitations to their agencies across South Africa.

There will be a preview of the awards show at Cavendish Square at 7 pm on April 23, with the final at 7 pm on April 24. Both preview and the final are open to the public, with standing room only for the final event.