The 12th annual SAFTAs announce new partnerships

The South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), managed under the custodianship of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture, announced the nominees of the 12th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAS 12) at the Inanda Club on Friday, 2 February 2018.

Judging remains the backbone of the SAFTAs, and this year’s team is made up of 262 judges, under the guidance of two overall judging chairpersons – Firdoze Bulbulia and Thembi Mtshali-Jones. Furthermore, the SAFTAs committee consists of the NFVF, CCISFA, SASFED, eTV, M-Net, SABC and StarSat.

“I would like to congratulate all the nominees for this achievement, reaching this stage from 348 entries is no small feat as the quality of entries left judges deliberating well after midnight each night, deciding on their top 3 nominees for each category. I encourage the industry to continue to produce exceptional productions and to strive for excellence so that these awards can get better each year. I would also like to wish all the nominees the best of luck, and we will continue to celebrate you,’’ said NFVF chief executive officer, Zama Mkosi.

She added: “These awards have been sustained and are only possible due to strong relationships with private and public sector partners such as McCafe, the North West Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA), Ster-Kinekor and the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). In this tough economic climate, we are fortunate to have retained these partners and gained new ones. These awards would not be possible without the support of these partners.  Collaborations between all sectors remain crucial in the development and transformation of the South African film and television industry.”

McCafé, the associate partner, has consistently shown its support for the SAFTAs and will once again present the Best Actor and Actress Awards in a Feature Film at the awards.

“McDonald’s SA congratulates the 2018 nominees and wish them well on their road to SAFTAs. Our sponsorship of this year’s SAFTAs reinforces our commitment to be a good neighbour through creating opportunities in the communities we not only operate in but also serve. Our partnership with this premium award highlights our belief that the film and television industry provides an ideal opportunity to challenge conventional thinking. Through these awards we provide the local film and TV industry and its associated industries the opportunity to hone their skills, through practising the art of condensed powerful storytelling,” says Daniel Padiachy, chief marketing officer for McDonald’s SA.

Ster-Kinekor will be presenting the Youth Achiever Award, an award that recognises a young individual or newcomer who has demonstrated excellence in their craft affords the organisation an opportunity to work with the youth to hone their skills. While the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), through its Media and Motion Pictures SBU, has partnered with the SAFTAs 12 as a category sponsor for Best TV Drama award.

This year also marks SAFTAs new partnership with the North West Province, with a commitment to creating a platform for skills transfer and in growing film activity in the underserviced province. The partnership with the North West Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA), will further enable a dedicated year-long programme within the province that will focus on learners, women and the youth from rural, small towns and township areas with the objective of removing the barriers to entry and participation.

“We welcome the 12th SAFTAs in the province… Our province has studios which the department is on a path to convert into economic and artistic places. We plan to ensure that the villages, townships and small dorpies benefit from television, video and film production. The Rebranding, Repositioning and Renewal philosophy is undoubtedly realised,” said MEC for Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs, Mme OR Mochware.

“This will ensure that the untold stories of Bokone Bophirima are told. We encourage young people, women and children around Bokone Bophirima within the film and television industry to grab this opportunity with both hands in order to change their lives for the better,” concluded MEC Mochware.

The SAFTAs ceremony takes place in Sun City on the weekend of 22 and 24 March 2018.