“Through the EDiT initiative I believe that M-Net has done really great things for the short film format,’ said M-Net CEO Glen Marques. “We have been at the forefront of the potential revolution in the short film format and last year launched the EDiT online film festival to create and foster an online network of independent and student film producers. We received 168 entries and a total 29 220 votes, which determined the winners.’
Commissioning Editor Sibusiso Ndebele added: “As a broadcaster we have seen the potential of the talent that entered the EDiT competition and we’re committed to it. This potential proves that we as a country have a big future in broadcasting. Last year I had the opportunity of working with all the students and I was really excited by being exposed to their talent and abilities. I can today officially announce the launch of the 2007 EDiT competition.’
Last year a panel of M-Net production experts reviewed all submitted proposals and selected five, each of which were awarded R40 000 to produce their programming. The EDiT initiative is open to students at tertiary institutions who are doing their apprenticeship or are interns at production companies.
The EDiT award winners are:
Best Editing: Nina du Plessis (Elsabe Daneel Productions – Multimedia studies) – The Space Between
Best Acting: University of KwaZulu Natal – Drama and Performance Studies – Smile
Best Script: Maciej Kwiecinski (Wits School of Arts and Television) – The Crossing
Best Project: The Space Between (Elsabe Daneel Productions – Multimedia studies)
The EDiT Merit Award winners are:
Damelin for Initiative for The Accidental Passenger
Tswane University of Technology Motion Picture Academy for Special Effects for The Kamikazes
Runner-up for Best Project presented to Wits School of Arts and Television for The Crossing
EDiT Online
Category winners – R5 000 each
Experimental: Minutes – Theresa Collins and Mocke J van Vuuren
Animation: The Tale of How – The Blackheart Gang (Producers)
Short film: Milk – Orange Films (producers)
Music Video: Kwani Experience: Mess in the kitchen – Keegan Murray (producer)
Documentary: Tape Recording – Henrik Purienne (producer)
Grand Prix
First prize of R50 000: The Tale of How produced by The Blackheart Gang
Second prize of R25 000: Milk produced by Orange Films
Third prize of R15 000: Tape Recording produced by Henrik Purienne