Entries into this year’s South African Film and Television Awards (the Saftas) have topped 432, a 22% increase on 2013. This is a sign of “growing industry confidence’ in the awards, said Zama Mkosi, NFVF CEO and chair of the Saftas Committee.
The aim of the Saftas, launched in 2005, is to “celebrate excellence, encourage entrepreneurship and the development of new talent, and profile celebrated South African talent and product to national and International markets”.
Soapie Isibaya notched up the nominations. Fresh from winning 10 out of 18 categories at the inaugural Royalty Soapie Awards held in Durban this weekmnd, Isibaya, which is broadcast on Mzansi Magic, channel 161 on DStv, won outstanding soapie, outstanding lead actor (Siyabonga Twala) and outstanding lead actress (Thembi Nyandeni). It also dominated the technical categories including outstanding directing, outstanding art direction, outstanding Make-up, outstanding casting Director, outstanding lighting and outstanding editing.
In terms of Safta nominations, Isibaya has been selected for best soapie, best director of a soapie, best writing team, best editor of a TV soap, best cinematographer, best art direction, two nominations for best actress, three nominations in best actor in a soap, and best ensemble in a TV soap.
e.tv’s soaps also made a good showing with its shows Rhythm City and Scandal both recognised. Both were nominated for best TV soap. Masasa Mbangeni as Thembeka in Scandal was nominated for best actress in a TV soap. Scandal’s Sanele Zulu was also nominated for best director of a TV soap and Rhythm City was nominated best writing team of a TV soap.
“e.tv is pleased that our ongoing investment in local content is recognised. It’s humbling to see that our talented stars are being acknowledged for their hard work and dedication to their particular craft. We wish them all the best at the awards ceremony, and beyond. We have an exciting year ahead, with new local productions stewing in the kitchen and hope to continue to inspire and entertain Mzansi,” says Monde Twala, e.tv ‘s head of channels.
The channel’s Late Night News (LNN) was nominated for best comedy. The show, hosted by Loyiso Gola, was recently nominated for an international Emmy. Kagiso Lediga and Karabo Lediga took a nomination for best writing on a comedy. Kagiso Lediga was recognised with a nomination for best director on a comedy.
LNN will compete against ZA News, which received nominations for best comedy on TV, and Aaron Naidoo and Thierry Cassuto were nominated for best director in a comedy series. Andrew Donaldson, Anne Hirsch, Marianne Thamm and Thierry Cassuto were nominated as the best writing team on a comedy show. Both Worlds was nominated as best ensemble in a comedy show for ZA News.
In the news and actuality category, M-Net’s Carte Blanche, Crimes Uncovered (Clive Morris Productions) and SABC 3’s I Am Woman: Leap of Faith (Plexus Films) were nominated. The latter was also nominated in the best magazine show category as were SABC’s 50/50 (Clive Morris Productions, Top Billing (Tswelopele Productions) and Bravo (Homebrew Films). I Am Woman: Leap of Faith was also nominated as best talk show, along with Okuhle Media’s Hectic Nine 9 and Life with Thami with Thamzin Media.
Quizzical Pictures Intersexions is up for best TV drama, best writing in a TV drama, best director in a TV drama, best actress and best director of photography.
The Saftas will take place on 4-5 April The South African Film & Television Awards will be held on 4 and 5 April at Gallagher Estate in Midrand.
Full list of nominations:
Documentary Short Nominations 2014
Best Cinematographer of a Documentary Short
Susan Scott – 50/50:Wild Dogs
Pule Molebatsi – Ndiyindoda : I am A Man
Ingmar Buchner – Waterborne
Best Editor of a Documentary Short
Susan Scott – 50/50 : Wild Dogs
Michael Matsie – Ndiyindoda : I am A Man
Alexander Melck – Waterborne
Best Documentary Feature
Light and Dark – Deepend Films
The Devil’s Lair -Fireworx Media
Chickens Can Fly – Deepend Films
Best Cinematographer of a Documentary Feature
Paul Kruger – Chickens Can Fly
Paul Kruger – Light and Dark
Riaan Hendricks – The Devil’s Lair
Chris Lotz -Shoreline
Best Director of a Documentary Feature
Paulene Abrey – Chickens Can fly
Luaan Hong & Paulene Abrey – Light and dark
Brett Lotriet-Best – Miracle Rising
Lloyd Ross – Two Wings, Many Prayers
Best Editor of a Documentary Feature
Schalk van der Merwe – Light and dark
Johann Vorster – The Blackheart Diaries
Riaan Hendricks – The Devil’s Lair
Wildlife Programme Nominations 2014
Best Wildlife Programme
Speed Kills: Jungle – Earth Touch
Speed Kills: Savannah – Earth Touch
Touching The Dragon – NHU Africa
Best Editor of a Wildlife Programme
Ruaan Botha – Speed Kills: Jungle
Keith Fraser – Speed Kill: Savannah
Damon Foster – Touching The Dragon
Best Cinematographer of a Wildlife Programme
DOP Team – Speed Kills: Jungle
DOP Team – Speed Kills: Savannah
Damon Foster & Craig Foster – Touching The Dragon
Best Director of a Wildlife Programme
Anton Truesdale – Charles & Jessica: A Chimp Tale
Beverly & Dereck Joubert -The Unlikely Leopard
Craig Foster & Damon Foster – Touching The Dragon
Student Film Nominations 2014
Best Student Film
Keeping Up Appearances – AFDA
Kanyekanye – AFDA
Taming Peter – City Varsity
Short Film Nominations 2014
Best Short Film
Taxiing – Benchfilms
Release – Black Heat Productions
Armed Response – Atomic Squid Productions
Wing It – The Animation School
Animation Nominations 2014
Best Animation
Like Clockwork – AFDA
Wing It – The Animation School
Khumba – Triggerfish Animation Studios
Youth & Children Programme Nominations 2014
Best Youth & Children’s Programme
Big Up – Eclipse Television
Ntunjambili: The Twin Caves – Urban Brew
Shiz Niz – Red Pepper Pictures
Shorething – Homebrew Films
Factual/Educational Programme Nominations 2014
Best Factual/Educational Programme
Relate Season 3 – Ochre Media
Centrum Guardian Project 2012 – Time Frame Productions
Shoreline – Homebrew Films
The Golden Years – Aurealism Pictures
News & Actuality Programme Nominations 2014
Best News & Actuality programme
Carte Blanche 21/10/12 – Carte Blanche
Crimes Uncovered – Clive Morris Productions
I Am Woman: Leap of Faith – Plexus Films
Magazine Programme Nominations 2014
Best Magazine Programme
50/50 – Clive Morris Productions
I Am Woman: Leap of faith – Plexus Films
Top Billing – Tswelopele Productions
Bravo – Homebrew Films
Variety Show Nominations 2014
Best Variety show
Afro Cafe Season 9 – Bonngoe Productions
Expresso Morning Show – Cardova
Bitten – Okuhle Media
Jou show met Emo en Wikus – Homebrew Films
Music Show Nominations 2014
Best Music Show
Jam Sandwich – Meerkat Media
MTN SA Music Awards – Sic Entertainment
The MTV Africa All Stars – Viacom International MediaNetworks (Africa)
Talk Show Nominations 2014
Best Talk show
Hectic Nine 9 – Okuhle Media
I Am Woman: Leap of faith – Plexus Films
Life with Thami – Thamzin Media
Reality Show Nominations 2014
Best Reality Show
Jam Sandwich – Meerkat Media
Around Iceland on Inspiration – Cooked In Africa Films
The Ultimate Braai Master – Cooked In Africa Films
Jack Up Your Shack -Let It Rain Films
International Format Show Nominations 2014
Best International Format Show
Idols Season 8 – Sic Entertainment
Come Dine With Me SA – Rapid Blue
MasterChef South Africa – Quizzical Pictures
Taboo Africa – Clive Morris Productions
TV DRAMA Nominations 2014
Best TV Drama
Intersexions: Season 2 – Quizzical Pictures
Tempy Pushas – Endemol South Africa
Room 9 – DV8 Films
Best Director of a TV Drama
Intersexions: Season 2 – Directing Team
Rockville Johnny – Barbuzano
Tempy Pushas – Libby Dougherty Tebogo Malope
High Rollers – Directing Team
Best Writing Team of a TV Drama
High Rollers – Writing Team
Intersexions: Season 2 – Brent Quinn, Gillian Breslin, Linda Bere
Rockville – Gwydion Beynon, Phatu Makwarela
Room 9 – Athos Kyriakides, Thuso Sibisi
Best DOP /Cinematographer of a TV Drama
High Rollers – Greg Heimann
Intersexions: Season 2 – Tom Marais
Room 9 – Nick Hofmeyr
Best Production Design of a TV Drama
High Rollers – Esme Viviers
Rockville – Anneri Gericke
Room 9 – Waldemar Coetsee
Best Costume Design of a TV Drama
High Rollers – Martha Sibanyoni
Tempy Pushas – Mbali Maphumulo
Room 9 – Andrew Phiri
Best Make-up & Hair stylist of a TV Drama
Rockville – Ngah Nyembe
High Rollers – Jenny Sprawson
Room 9 – Julene Paton
Best Editor of a TV Drama
Eva du Preez, Wilhelm Conradie – Die Boland Moorde
Ula Oelsen- High Rollers
Jack Esterhuizen Lindi Goosen – Room 9
Best Actor in a TV Drama
Mthunzi Ntoyi – Zola Yili Montana ii
Siyabonga Thwala – Musa Intersexions: Season 2
Antony Coleman – David King High Rollers
Best Supporting Actor in a TV Drama
Lidani Nkosi – Baba Khumalo Dreamworld
Patrick Shai – Seakamela Skeem Saam
Akhumzi Jezile – Ngulube Tempy Pushas
Best Actress in a TV Drama
Tina Jaxa – Nokuthula Intersexions: Season 2
Cebile Mlaba – MaDlamini Intersextions: Season 2
Gcina Mkhize – Manzuza Intersections: Season 2
Best Supporting Actress in a TV Drama
Thembsie Matu – Sis Ribs Rockville
Harriet Manamela – Meike Maputla Skeem Saam
Motshabi Tyelele – Olga 2020 Orlando
MADE FOR TV MOVIE Nominations 2014
Best Writer in a Made for TV Movie
Writing Team – Inside Story
Kalumbu Kapisa – The Wall
Best Director in a Made for TV Movie
Felicia Molusi – Isithembu
Rolisizwe Nikiwe – Inside Story
Kalumbu Kapisa – The Wall
TV Soap Nominations 2014
Best TV SOAP (PUBLIC VOTE)
Isidingo – Endemol South Africa
Generations – Mmsv Productions
Scandal – Ochre Media Pty Ltd
Villa Rosa – Spectro Productions Cc
Isibaya – The Bomb Shelter Film Company
7 de Laan – Danie Odendaal Productions
Rhythm City – Quizzical Pictures
The Wild – Magic Factory
Binneland – Stark Films
Best Director of a TV Soap
Adze Ugah Denny Miller – Isibaya
Sthembiso Mathenjwa – Isidingo
Sanele Zulu – Scandal
Best Writing Team of a TV Soap
Rosalind Butler – Isidingo
Charlie Sapadin – Rhythm City
Writing Team – Isibaya
Best Editor of a TV Soap
Julia Scott-Lawson – 7de Laan
Jeremy Briers, Sibongeleni Mabuyakhulu – Isibaya
Editing Team – The Wild
Best DOP /Cinematographer of a TV Soap
Charl Odendaal, Chris Gardner, Kobus van Niekerk – Binneland
DOP – Team The Wild
Jonathan De La Querra, Zeno Petersen – Isibaya
Best Art Direction of a TV Soap
Rohan Horn – 7de Laan
Dylan Lloyd, Larissa Peters – Isibaya
Annerie Gericke – The Wild
Best Actress in a TV Soap
Thembi Nyandeni – Mkabayi Zungu (Isibaya)
Celeste Ntuli – Siphokazi Zungu (Isibaya)
Masasa Mbangeni – Thembeka (Scandal)
Best Actor in a TV Soap
Sdumo Mtshali – Sbu Ndlovu (Isibaya)
Bongani Gumede – Mandla (Isibaya)
Siyabonga Thwala – Mpiyakhe Zungu (Isibaya)
Best Ensemble in a TV Soap
Isibaya – The Bomb Shelter Film Company
Scandal – Ochre Media
The Wild – Magic Factory
TV Comedy Nominations 2014
Best TV Comedy
ZA News – Both Worlds
Late Night News – Diprente Films
Skwizas – Lillian Dube Productions
Best Director of a TV Comedy
Late Nite News – Kagiso Lediga
My Perfect Family – Segomotso Keorapetse
ZA NEWS – Aaron Naidoo, Thierry Cassuto
Best Writing Team of a TV Comedy
Late Nite News – Kagiso Lediga & Karabo Lediga
My Perfect Family – Katleho Ramaphakela, Meren Reddy & MphoOsei-Tutu
ZA NEWS – Andrew Donaldson, Anne Hirsch, Marianne Thamm & Thierry Cassuto
Best Art Direction of a TV Comedy
Rugby Motors – Tracy Perkins
Samsokolo – Charlette Coetzee
Those Who Can’t – Amanda Scholtz
Best Actress in a TV Comedy
Meme Ditshego – Josephine, Ga Re Dumele
Baby Cele – Portia Nkosi, My Perfect Family
Tsholo Monedi – Tiny, Skwizas: Season 2
Lilian Dube – Mmane, Skwizas: Season 2
Best Actor in a TV Comedy
Obed Baloyi – Tsutsuma Ga Re Dumele
Boikie Pholo – Ratau Ga Re Dumele
Mpho Osei-Tutu – Niko Samsokolo
Best Ensemble in a TV Comedy
ZA News – Both Worlds
Late Nite News – Diprente Films
Ga Re Dumele – Rous House Productions
Feature Film Nominations 2014
Best Feature Film
Long Walk to Freedom – Videovision Entertainment
Of Good Report – Spier Films
Sleeper’s Wake – Bioskope Filmworks
Best Director of a Feature Film
Henk Pretorius – Fanie fourie’s Lobola
Barry Berk – Sleeper’s Wake
Jahmil X.T. Qubeka – Of Good Report
Best Writing Team of a Feature Film
Jahmil X.T. Qubeka – Of Good Report
Henk Pretorius, Janine Eser – Fanie Fourie’s Lobola
Barry Berk – Sleeper’s wake
Best Editor in a Feature Film
Gog’Helen – Julian Thomas, Themba Duncan Rikhotso, Tracy Clayton
Sleeper’s Wake – Vuyani Sondlo
Of Good Report – Che Amaru Tunstead, Cobus Rossouw
Best DOP /Cinematographer of a Feature Film
Elelwani – Lance Gewer
Sleeper’s Wake – Willie Nel
Ballade van Robbie de Wee – Lucian Barnard, William Collinson
Of Good Report- Jonathan Kovel
Best Production Design in a Feature Film
Elelwani – Robert van der Coolwijk
Of Good Report – Jerry Manganyi
Long Walk to Freedom – Johnny Breedt
Spud 2 – Thomas Gubb
Best Music Composition in a Feature Film
Elelwani – Christopher Letcher
Khumba – Bruce Retief
Gog’ Helen – King Phathudi Mphalele
Best Sound Designer of a Feature Film
Nothing for Mahala – Jim Petrak
Sleeper’s Wake – Alun Richards
Of Good Report – Phillip Miller
Best Costume Designer of a Feature Film
Elelwani – Natalie Lundon
Long Walk to Freedom – Diana Cilliers, Ruy Filipe
Spud 2 – Dihantus Englebrecht
Best Make-up /Hair of a Feature Film
Angel of the Skies – Megan Roux
Elelwani – Mpho Mauda
Of Good Report – Ian Swann
Long Walk to Freedom – Meg Tanner
Best Actress in a Feature Film
Petronella Tshuma – Of Good Report
Antoinette Louw – Die Laaste Tango Zethu
Dlomo Dinky – Fanie Fouries Lobola
Best Actor in a Feature Film
Louw Venter – Die Laaste Tango
Lionel Newton – Sleepers Wake
Mothusi Magano – Of Good Report
Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film
Marga Van Rooyen – Fanie Fourie’s Lobola
Tina Jaxa – Of Good Report
Linda Sokhulu- Lindiwe Felix
Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film
Yule Masiteng – Fanie Fourie’s Lobola
Tshamano Sebe Vuyani – Of Good report
Thapelo Mofokeng – Felix
Follow the Saftas on Twitter https://twitter.com/SAFTAS1And on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/safilmandtvawards
