Showmax has become the first streaming platform to ever win an award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), in what was a successful night for parent company Multichoice.
The 13th edition of the SAFTAs, which took place at Sun City on Saturday (2 March), honoured Showmax’s original series, Tali’s Wedding Diary with five awards from seven nominations in the comedy category, These included Best Comedy and Best Actress for Julia Anastasopoulos as Tali Shapiro. Tali’s Wedding Diary also won Best Directing (Ari Kruger), Cinematography (James Adey) and Editing (Richard Starkey).In total the South Africa-based pay-TV broadcaster MultiChoice took home 48 awards - more than half the total SAFTAs. Mzansi Magic was the most awarded channel overall, with 15 wins.
Ten wins for 1Magic’s telenovela The River made it the most awarded production overall across all categories, including best actress - telenovela for Moshidi Motshegwa (pictured). The kykNET film Ellen: Die Ellen Pakkies Storie; Mzansi Magic’s drama Lockdown; and Mzansi Magic’s soap Isithembiso also all received multiple awards.
“It’s a big deal to have so many talented people and productions recognised at these awards - huge congratulations to all the winners! There’s a virtuous circle where quality local TV shows and movies attract more interest and more buyers, which in turn means more high-quality output, more jobs and an even stronger industry,” said Yolisa Phahle, CEO for General Entertainment at MultiChoice.
“By creating and funding so many original productions across the MultiChoice stable, I’d like to believe we’re playing our part in driving that virtuous circle and in telling Africa’s stories. The fact that we’re getting interest in our originals from around the world is a testament to the quality of our industry.”
