The call for entries for the much anticipated 12th edition of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) brought to you by Mc Cafe is now open! The film industry is encouraged to submit their entries on the SAFTAs website, the closing date is 16 October 2017.
The SAFTAs, managed under the custodianship of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Arts and Culture, are an integral part of the growth, skills development and transformation of the industry. The awards are guided by the SAFTAs committee comprising of SABC, DSTV, eTV, StarSat, the Cultural and Creative Industries Federation of South Africa (CCIFSA) and the South African Screen Federation (SASFED).
“It is crucial after each edition of the SAFTAs to introspect and seek possible ways to modify the awards for continuous improvement. Following the SAFTAs 11 post review meetings with the Adhoc and SAFTAs committees, the categories were workshopped and reduced. The objective is create consistency and uniformity that reflects the South African film and television industry.’ said NFVF CEO, Ms Zama Mkosi
The total number of awards has been reduced to 80 plus the four discretionary awards, totalling 84 awards.
Key changes:
• Documentary short will now be treated like the short film award, and will only be awarded best of genre.
• Wildlife Programmes will also not have sub categories, and will only be awarded best of genre.
• Magazine shows and Variety shows will be a combined award, the Best Magazine and Variety show.
• Telenovela is a growing genre in SA and for this reason, the genre will be awarded its own best of genre, so there is now an award for Best Telenovela separate from the Best TV Soap.
• In the Telenovela category, cinematography has been included.
• The two will be combined when competing for the public vote of Most popular TV Soap including Telenovelas as well as the sub categories.
• Removed awards:
o Best Sports Show, this award has consistently not received enough entries.
