The National Film and Video Foundation(NFVF) will be traveling to the 42nd International Emmy Awards (iEmmys) Gala, which will take place on 24 November 2014 in New York City. This opportunity is a result of Zama Mkosi, the NFVF CEO, being a registered iEmmy member.
The invitation to the iEmmy’s Gala comes after the NFVF, in partnership with Light and Dark Films, hosted the semi-final round of judging of the International iEmmys in Johannesburg in July 2014. South Africa was honoured with judging the drama and children’s categories. According to Ms Mkosi, “the exercise was used as a learning curve to help enhance South Africa’s only film and television awards, the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs).’ Ms Mkosi further explained, “we will implement the iEmmys judging process learning to ensure that we take our very own awards to the next level. This exercise will indeed extend our footprint as a storytelling nation that is in par with the rest of the global filmmaking community.’
With the support of the NFVF, the following six delegates will travel to the NYC and partake in the Awards Gala;
• Zama Mkosi
• Lala Tuku
• Bubu Mazibuko
• Robbie Thorpe
• Kimberleigh Stark
• Jerry Mofokeng
The four judges, excluding Ms Mkosi and Ms Tuku are a part of the 30 South African industry experts that were selected to judge the iEmmy’s earlier in the year. Ms Tuku will be establishing and solidifying relationships with foreign industry players to help build the South African Film industry abroad.
Ms. Mkosi is also scheduled to meet the iEmmys judging director in order to discuss how the NFVF, as the custodian of film can improve and elevate the calibre of the SAFTAs. Prior to the Gala event the delegates will be attending the 2014 International Emmy World Television Festival.
The iEmmy’s trip holds real significance for the South African film industry as it serves as recognition of the industry in the global space.
