EXCITING TIME FOR FILM, TV
The 11th South African Film and Television Awards will be held at Sun City on Saturday. Buhle Mbonambi through the nominees list to pick the winners and his wishes for the televised show. went
016 was a good year for South African film and television. There were some groundbreaking films that became box office hits, TV shows that had us on the edge of our seats and performances that made us sit up and take note.
2016 was a year that showed South Africa’s growth and the potential that exists when people are given a chance.
It gave me hope – not only as a TV critic, but as a person who watches these films and TV shows.
And for that the industry really deserves to pat itself on the back.
For a long time we have been vocal about the disappointing quality of our productions and I’m glad that the film and TV industry listened to the viewers and started delivering productions that were worth seeing. So when the nominees were released and once again the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) only had three nominees per category, we felt cheated.
When there were so many great performances and productions on TV and in the cinema, surely that should have been a sign for the NFVF and the SA Film and Television Awards (Saftas) judges to increase the number of nominees per category from three to five. The snub list is disheartening, especially when some of the people snubbed should have been nominated more than those that made the nominees list. whoever gets to host will keep us entertained.
So the politicians will be present, which, although it sucks, is understandable. No event can take place without money from the government. But must they take centre stage and make it all about themselves? What Hollywood gets so right is that they make all the nominees, the current popular stars and iconic screen legends, awards presenters at the various awards ceremonies. It works well.
Right now we have Keeping Up With The Kandasamys making R1.6 million in its first weekend – so have one or two cast members of the film present an award on the night and talk about the film, which will make people go to see it.
Pearl Thusi is in town to shoot Lip Sync Battle Africa.
She’s a cast member of a global hit show, Quantico and plays the romantic lead in the critically acclaimed Kalushi. Have her and the star of Kalushi, Thabo Rametsi, present an award.
Mara Louw is back on TV in a big way, having starred in two TV shows last year – Tempy Pushas and The Queen. Have her and the older screen legends present an award. What people who produce awards shows tend to forget is that presenters are an integral part of the flow of the awards show.
That’s where we always get it wrong. Also cut down on the long speeches. basically have a chance to get either the winners or the most popular contestants of those shows to perform.
Not only is that going to give them another platform to show off their talent, but after being on a reality music competition, they now know how to work the stage.
We are exposed to so many awards ceremonies from around the world, there really is no excuse for us to get ours so wrong for so long. It’s embarrassing.
Best feature film Nominees: Noem My Skollie, Shepherds and Butchers, Sink Should Win: Sink Will Win: Noem My Skollie
Best lead actress: feature film Nominees: Anel Alexander (Sink), Shoki Mokgape (Sink) and Christia Visser (Tess) Should Win: Christia Visser Will Win: Christia Visser
Best lead actor: feature film Nominees: Deon Lotz (Dis Koue Kos, Skat), Dann-jacques Mouton (Noem My Skollie) and Garion Dowds (Shepherds and Butchers) Should Win: Garion Dowds Will Win: Dan Jaques Mouton
Best supporting actress: feature film Nominees: Hlubi Mboya (Dora’s Peace), Leleti Khumalo (Free State) and Renate Stuurman (Happiness is a Four Letter Word) Snubbed: Khanyi Mbau (Happiness is a Four Letter Word) Should Win: Renate Stuurman Will Win: Leleti Khumalo
Best supporting actor: feature film Nominees: Grant Swanby (Modder en Bloed), Abdurahgmaan Adams (Noem My Skollie) and Deon Lotz (Shepherds and Butchers) Should Win: Abdurahgmaan Adams Will Win: Abdurahgmaan Adams
Best achievement in directing: feature film Nominees: Sean Else (Modder en Bloed), Darryne Joshua, (Noem My Skollie) and Oliver Schmitz (Shepherds and Butchers) Snubbed: Thabang Moleya (Happiness is a Four Letter Word) Should Win: Darryne Joshua Will Win: Darryne Joshua I have chosen to focus on TV drama and soapies because, as per usual, only two comedy shows delivered (Those Who Can’t, ZA News). Best TV drama Nominees: Bloedbroers, Heist and Sober Companion Snubbed: Saints and Sinners, Umlilo, Hustle Should Win: Sober Companion Will Win: Heist Best actress: TV drama Nominees: Tiffany Barbuzano (Sober Companion), Brenda Ngxoli (Hustle) and Linda Sokhulu (Sokhulu and Partners) Snubbed: Nomzamo Mbatha (Umlilo) and Thuso Mbedu (Saints and Sinners) Best actor: TV drama Nominees: Neels van Jaarsveld (Bloedbroers), Jerry Mofokeng (Heist), Trevor Gumbi (Sober Companion) Snubbed: Hamilton Dhlamini (Umlilo) and Motlatsi Mofatshe (It’s Complicated) Should Win: Trevor Gumbi Will Win: Trevor Gumbi Best supporting actress: TV drama Nominees: Jana Cilliers (Die Boekklub), Tina Jaxa (Isikizi) and Samela Tyelbooi (It’s Complicated) Snubbed: Nokuthula Ledwaba (Umlilo) and Sibulele Gcilitshana (Saints and Sinners) Should Win: Jana Cilliers Will Win: Jana Cilliers
Best supporting actor: TV drama Nominees: Chris van Niekerk (Die Boekklub), Tumisho Masha (Saints and Sinners) and Warren Masemola (Heist) Should Win: Tumisho Masha Will Win: Warren Masemola
Best soap/telenovela Nominees: High Rollers, Isibaya and The Road Should Win: High Rollers Will Win: Isibaya
Best actress: TV soap/ telenovela Nominees: Tina Jaxa (Gold Diggers), Clementine Mosimane (Gold Diggers) and Masasa Mbangeni (Scandal!) Snubbed: Kgomotso Christopher (Isidingo) and Vinette Ebrahim (7de Laan) Should Win: Masasa Mbangeni Will Win: Tina Jaxa
Best actor: TV soap/ telenovela Nominees: Antony Coleman (High Rollers), Justin Strydom (High Rollers) and Siyabonga Thwala (Isibaya) Snubbed: Dann-jacques Mouton (7de Laan) and Lindani Nkosi (Isidingo) Should Win: Siyabonga Thwala Will Win: Siyabonga Thwala
Best supporting actress: TV soap/telenovela Nominees: Maggie Benedict, Nandi Nyembe ( both Ashes to Ashes) and Linda Sebezo (Greed and Desire) Snubbed: Natasha Sutherland (Scandal!) and Soso Rungqu (Isidingo) Should Win: Linda Sebezo Will Win: Linda Sebezo
Best supporting actor: TV soap/telenovela Nominees: Mandla Gaduka (Ashes to Ashes), Pallance Dladla (Isibaya) and Warren Masemola (Ring of Lies) Snubbed: Motlatsi Mofatshe (Isidingo) and Terence Bridget (High Rollers) Should Win: Warren Masemola Will Win: Warren Masemola The Saftas will be aired on SABC 2 at 7.30pm on Saturday.