The call for entries for the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) opened today Monday 1st June 2009 and will close on Friday 31st July 2009. Only South African films or television productions/programmes that have been produced and publicly exhibited or broadcast between 1st April 2008 - 31st July 2009 are eligible for entry into the SAFTAs 2010.
The SAFTAS is an industry initiative managed under the custodianship of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) under whose values the essence of the awards are encapsulated those of Creativity, Freedom of expression, Entrepreneurship and Equitable redress; the broadcasters M-Net, ETV and SABC, distributors, Ster Kinekor and Nu Metro with industry practitioner representation.
"I'm proud to highlight that since its inception, the SAFTAs have grown from strength to strength. In February of this year, we hosted another successful session of the SAFTAs attracting representatives from government, private sector and the industry. The NFVF commends it partners and all teams involved in the project: SAFTAS Committee, the joint Judging chairpersons, the judges and the industry at large, for their invaluable support and commitment in continuing to raise the bar as we position South African talent as one of the best in the world. The NFVF encourages all eligible productions to participate in order to elevate the film and television status of our country," says Eddie Mbalo NFVF CEO.
Since its inception in 2005 the SAFTA has honoured individuals and productions in the following categories: TV Non-fiction, TV Fiction, Feature Films, Short Films Student Films and Animation with Special Lifetime achievement awards given to those esteemed individuals who have long served the industry in various categories.
This year as with other years, the public too played a pivotal role in the Soapie category, ensuring their best Soapie walked away with the coveted Golden Horn trophy. The public participated in the following categories: Best Soapie, Best Comic, Best Dressed, Best Villain/Villainess and Best Hero/Heroine. The same will apply in the next session, where audiences participate via sms voting.
Entry forms and rules and regulations can be obtained from the NFVF website: www.nfvf.co.za. All entries, including the entry form, screen credit form, and DVDs per entry should be submitted no later than Friday 31st July 2009 at 16:00, either by mail / courier or physical delivery to:
The South African film and Television Awards
C/0 National Film and Video Foundation
87 Central Street,
Houghton, Johannesburg, 2196
Judging panels made up of representatives of industry organisations, institutions, companies, media and general society will select the nominees and eventual category awards winners. As with previous years, the judging process will be overseen and verified by independent auditors.
The winners will be presented with the SAFTA official trophy, the Golden Horn, at a glittering ceremony in February 2010 that will host the cream of South African talent, leading personalities, key government and private sector, VIP’s and media.
ABOUT SAFTA: CELEBRATING CREATIVITY ENCOURAGING EXCELLENCE
A. In 2005 representatives of the South African Film and Television industry resolved to come together under the auspices of the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (NFVF) to establish the annual South African Film and Television Awards, the SAFTA AWARDS (SAFTAS).
B. The primary objective of the SAFTA Awards is to honour, celebrate and promote the creativity, quality and excellence of South African Film and Television talent and productions, and to encourage entrepreneurship and the development of new talent within the industry.
C. SAFTAS has had three sessions to date. Each session has given over 70 awards each.
D. The fourth session of SAFTAS will take place on Saturday 6th February 2010
SAFTA 2009 KEY DATES AND DEADLINES
A. Call for entries opening date: Monday 1st June 2009
The SAFTA 2010 call for entries opens on Monday 1st June 2009 and will close on Friday 31st July 2009. Application forms can be found on the NFVF website www.nfvf.co.za (click on the SAFTAS link). Application forms can also be requested from SAFTAS staff at the NFVF. (Please contact the staff at the NFVF saftas@nfvf.co.za ) or they can be collected at the National Film & Video Foundation – NFVF offices: 87 Central Street, Houghton, Johannesburg 2198 between 09h00 – 16h00 during the entry period.
B. All entries must reach the NFVF offices by 16:00hrs on Friday 31st July 2009
C. Programme eligibility
Eligible film or television production/programmes for entry for the 2010 Awards should have been produced and publicly exhibited or broadcast between the 1st April 2008 Friday 31st July 2009.
A. The contest is open to all legal citizens and permanent residents of the Republic of South Africa.
B. Only South African film and television productions will be considered for the awards.
C. Co-productions with foreign partners shall only be eligible provided that the production has been certified as an Official Co-production and a South African film by the Competent Certification Authority in South Africa. In the event that the majority and key components of a co-produced programme or film are foreign, the production will not be eligible for the overall ‘Best Production” category award.
D. Non South African talent and crew featured in or participating in the production of an eligible entry will be eligible for awards at the discretion of the SAFTA Judging Committee and will be verified by the SAFTA Committee.
E. Programs cancelled or discontinued during their transmission runs will not be eligible for entry.
F. Programs and individuals previously entered in any other National competition are eligible.
To be eligible for entry for the 2010 Awards film or television productions should have been produced and publicly exhibited or broadcast between the 1st April 2008 Friday 31st July 2009
