SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS (SAFTA AWARDS)

PRESS RELEASE: 26 July 2006

SOUTH AFRICAN FILM AND TELEVISION AWARDS (SAFTA AWARDS)







The South African Film and Television Awards Executive Committee is pleased to announce that the inaugural edition of the South Africa Film and Television Academy Awards will be held on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October 2006 at the Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg.



The SAFTA Awards are part of an industry initiative to establish the South African Film and Television Academy (SAFTA). The Academy will function as the governing structure and serve as the custodian of the South African Film and Television Academy Awards, the SAFTA AWARDS or the SAFTAS.



The SAFTA Executive committee chaired by NFVF CEO Eddie Mbalo, and comprised of industry representatives Kamscilla Naidoo and John Cronwright (SABC), Ferdi Gazendam (Ster Kinekor), Debbie McCrum (Nu Metro), Bongiwe Selane (Mnet), 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.



Speaking on behalf of the SAFTA Executive Committee, Mr Mbalo congratulated and thanked all local broadcasters, filmmakers, producers, students and stakeholders in the local film and television industry who have submitted over 500 entries which include the countries best feature films, short films, documentaries, television dramas, sitcoms and Soapies, magazine, news and actuality , wildlife , children, variety and reality programmes. “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.



Judging panels made up of representatives of industry organizations, institutions, companies and media will over the next weeks 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 an exclusive function on September 30.



The winners will be presented with the Golden Horn, the official SAFTA Trophy at the red carpet gala ceremonies 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 VIP’S on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October 2006.



“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 the first film was shot and screened publicly in the country, 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”



“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 Organization’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 SAFTA Executive committee has tasked Executive Producer Lebone Maema with the responsibly of putting together the team that will organise the inaugural edition of the awards. “We will rope in the best expertise available to make this a most memorable launch ceremony and ensure that the SAFTA Awards become one of the most prestigious cultural events in the country” says Maema.

The main awards ceremony will be televised live on SABC 2 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. Watch the press for details.





Ends

For further information please contact:



Mr Mofihli Teleki

Media Relations Officer

Tel: +27 11 483 0880

Fax: +27 11 483 0881

Email: mofihlit@nfvf.co.za



Or Mr. Lebone Maema

SAFTA 2006 Executive Producer

Email: lebonem@nfvf.co.za