SABC3 To Broadcast Saftas 2012

Word is; SABC3 has secured the broadcasting rights to the 2012 South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) with the second evening of the now two-part ceremony which will be shown delayed live in March. on SABC3 from 19:30.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has not confirmed this but some media publications have claimed that SABC3 now has the 6th Saftas on its schedule for March.

This year's 2012 Saftas drew a record number of 233 entries. I had the pleasure of covering the red carpet for Class Act FanCam last yer in the ceremony that was held in Melrose arch. 

The event had its own controversies. Due to bad organizing critics who attended and several journalists were shut out of and barred from the actually venue of the ceremony. Instead journos we shacked up outside infront on TV monitors. Needless to say, they were not happy.

This year the Saftas will return to television and be shown delayed live on SABC3 from 19:30 to 22:00 (expect a run-over). The usually shoddily-produced TV awardfest handing out awards to local films and TV shows, is known for its deplorable production values, ranging from incompetent presenters to a myriad of visual, sound and other problems. 

The Saftas' credibility is often questioned as TV and film critics pretty much are shut out from the judging the award categories. In a situation that is deemed as a conflict of interest the Saftas winners are decided upon by 104 judges who works within the TV industry. 

The 104 judges are all previous winners and nominees of the awards. To be fair this is not an unusual thing as the Oscars are also partly voted for by previous nominees and winners. 

A selection of nominees is made and the Academy which includes previous winners and nominees vote on various categories. The actors vote for Best performances categories while directors vote for that specific category.  

Viewers will once again be able to vote for their favourite South African TV soap (((cough)) Rhythm City ... Lol!

 Voting will open on 8 February, according to sources. The venue in Johannesburg where this year's Saftas will be taking place will be announced on the same date.

The ceremony will be broadcast on the 11th of March 2012 at 20h30 on SABC 3