Johannesburg, 9 June 2022: The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sport, Arts, and Culture, the custodians of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), is delighted to note the officially released entry statistics and Award Ceremony Dates for the 16th Annual South African Film and Television Awards (#SAFTAs16).
The call for submissions for local production companies to submit their entries was released on 15 December 2021 and was extended to 6 March 2022, in order to afford the industry sufficient time to submit entries.
The total tally of entries received for #SAFTAs16 was confirmed as 488, with 426 of those entries meeting the entry guidelines to move forward to the judging process. In 2021, the SAFTAs Committee updated its entry guidelines to include a genre specifically for online content alone to acknowledge increased consumption of digital content. For #SAFTAs16, this genre has proven to be somewhat of a new preference for South African filmmakers as it received the highest number of compliant entries (25). The genres, Feature Films and TV Drama each received 23 compliant submissions.
Judges have had the difficult task of assessing and reviewing the entries, a process which concludes today on 9 June 2022. Entrants, stakeholders, and the public can mark their calendars for 14 July 2022, when nominees for #SAFTAs16 will be announced. Celebrations will kick off with the Craft Awards show, which honours excellence within the technical craft of the industry, on 2 September 2022. The main #SAFTAs16 Award Show will follow on 3 September 2022 as a simulcast broadcast once again with Mzansi Magic and S3, (SABC 3).
“The industry might be surprised by the later than usual dates,” said Ms. Makhosazana Khanyile, the NFVF CEO . “The SAFTAs used to take to the stage in March, but we have moved the date as we needed to rethink our approach due to the domino-effect impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the industry, how that affected the timing and quality of productions, and social distance protocols. Furthermore, we also recognise the re-emergence of other industry award ceremonies which need fair industry engagement.”
The SAFTAs Awards are presented annually under the custodian leadership of the NFVF and were instituted to honour, celebrate, promote, and reward the creativity, quality, and excellence of South African Film and Television talent and content. The Awards also aim to encourage entrepreneurship and the development of new talent within the industry.
For further information:
Lerato Mokopanele
National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)
Acting Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: +27 11 483 0880
About SAFTAs
The South African Film & Television Awards (SAFTAs) were established by industry representatives and the National Film & Video Foundation (NFVF), as an event that honours, celebrates, and promotes the creativity, quality & excellence of the South African film & television talent. They also serve to encourage the development of new talent, fostering a generation of filmmakers united in the collective mission of telling authentic South African stories.
About NFVF
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is an agency of the Department Sport, Arts and Culture that was created to ensure the equitable growth of South Africa’s film and video industry. The NFVF does this by providing funding for the development, production, marketing and distribution of films and also the training and development of filmmakers. In addition, the NFVF commissions research and produces industry statistics that provide both the public and stakeholders with valuable insights into the South African film industry.
About M-Net
Since 1986, M-Net has brought audiences the very best in video entertainment. M-Net’s channels are a source of compelling and captivating content, offering a mix of authentic South African programmes and the best international movies and series. We continuously strive to grow the film and TV industry by developing talent in front of, and behind the camera, and help launch local and international careers.
About Multichoice
MultiChoice Group is Africa’s leading multi-channel digital satellite and pay-television destination, offering its 14 million customers access to a world of entertainment, anywhere, anytime. MultiChoice has been in operation for the past 20 years and through its flagship product brand, DStv, the company delivers the latest and most compelling local and international content to millions of households across Africa. The company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and technology advancement resulted in the creation of its iconic high definition PVR decoder, the DStv Explora – which won the Product of the Year for 2015.
Through its corporate social investment, MultiChoice actively participates in social transformation, ongoing investment in local content, job creation and skills development – which in turn strengthens the television and broadcasting industry and contributes to the South African economy.
About S3
SABC 3 is transitioning to S3. We want our viewers to open up to this journey and receive it well. We want them to take in all the new programming that is on offer; we want them to accommodate the schedule changes; and to make room for a refreshed prime time. Opening up should be synonymous with being switched on; unlocked and having the courage to see beyond what is presented at face value.
Ultimately, our vision is to foster the spirit of curiosity and spearhead a generation of free thinkers. S3 is opening itself up to new viewers. These viewers, who fall under the millennials umbrella, are more socially conscious and environmentally aware than their predecessors. They are progressive and open-minded.