Vuka! newcomers Sheilla Kubheka and Nishendra Moodley sponsored by Suburban Films

With the Vuka! Awards coming up, Suburban Films have continued their commitment to supporting up-and-coming film-makers by sponsoring 2 newcomers producing Public Service Announcements for their chosen charitable organisations.

Sheilla Kubheka, currently a fourth year Honours student in Directing at AFDA, (due to join Suburban Films on completion of the course), is a very promising young talent who has already shot 2 short films in her time at college, is currently directing a 30min piece for MNET, and now has 2 PSA's to add to her list of achievements. Endorsed by the 'Be a Friend Foundation', set up in 1999 to support abused children, both spots highlight the ever-growing problem of child abuse in South Africa today.

Nishendra Moodley stands out as a fairly unusual case when it comes to Vuka! newcomers. As a 31yr old attempting to cross over from an entirely different industry into the world of commercials, he shows perhaps an even greater passion for his cause than many of the other newcomers to the industry for whom this is their first foray into the working world. Making the decision to give up an already successful career to follow a dream, requires immense commitment and courage, and it was perhaps this level of conviction (combined with the worthiness of the cause his spot supports) that encouraged Suburban Films to sponsor his production. Endorsed by both Gun Free South Africa and the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa, Nishendra's spot is a hard-hitting illustration of the danger of handguns.

"We have always made a point of giving people the chance to show what they are capable of in the film industry, and the Vuka! Awards offer the perfect platform for people to display their talents," said Linda Notelovitz (Exec Producer at Suburban Films) "These awards provide invaluable support for numerous charities nationwide, and it's always a pleasure to see how many industry people rally round year on year to give freely of their time for such worthy causes."