Local writers fuming after award show snub: 'Without us there would be no Saftas'
13/03/2019
More than a week after the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) abruptly dropped all writers categories from its 13th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) main ceremony, the organisation has not responded to multiple media enquiries about the shocking move, nor met with the Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA). by Thinus Ferreira
For more than a week since 2 March Channel24 has been asking the NFVF, funded by the department of arts and culture, for comment and an explanation as to why the writers categories were abruptly removed from the main ceremony broadcast on SABC2.
The NFVF didnt tell the WGSA, nor nominees that their categories had been moved to the non-televised, so-called technical awards on the
Neither Shadrack Bokaba, NFVF acting CEO; Neo Moretlwe, NFVF communications coordinator; nor Instinctif, the PR company paid by the NFVF to liaise and communicate with the press have responded with any answers to questions put to them in multiple media enquiries made over several days.
This is very similar to what happened with the Oscars earlier this year.
In February the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences came under fire when it announced that it will be presenting the awards for four categories off-air during ad breaks.
Immediately after the 13th Saftas, the WGSA said it plans to boycott the NFVFs Saftas if the writers categories are not reinstated to the main awards ceremony.
According to insiders, it seems as if the NFVF that added separate telenovela categories for the first time this year to lure more soap stars to appear during prime time in the awards show, unilaterally decided to sacrifice more of the proper TV and film production categories, in order to try and insert more superficial glitz.
With the telenovela addition and because of duration, more legitimate industry categories were banished from the show.
Through pandering to a view-from-home audience in an attempt to lift ratings, the NFVF decided to turn the Safta award ceremony that is supposed to be more a South African Oscars and recognise the entirety of the local TV and film industrys serious work, into a more fluffier Daytime Emmys, more heavily focused on the visibility of soap stars, insiders say.
Get More Film Business South Africa
Select your Membership
The Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) on Tuesday told Channel24 that the WGSA was shocked and taken aback when we were told during a networking meeting on the morning of the Safta awards that writing categories would be moved from the main show to the technical awards, without any advance notification or consultation.
As a result, many writing nominees were not present when their categories were awarded in the afternoon, and were left confused and angry when their categories did not feature during the main show, says Harriet Meier, WGSA chairperson.
We placed our dissatisfaction on record with NFVF and SASFED on 3 March, and were advised that a debrief on the Saftas had been set for 29 March 2019.
This is not the first time that NFVF has unilaterally removed the writers categories from the main Safta show, which is really incredulous considering that the writers create the scripts and screenplays without which there would be no actor, series, film or soap awards, says Meier.
In fact, without the writers, there would be no Saftas, she says.
For this to happen so soon after the department of arts and cultures Film Summit - where support for and development of the South African writer was flagged as extremely important - makes this a slap in the face for the whole South African writing fraternity.
Meier says there is no question that WGSA will demand the reinstatement of the writers awards in the main broadcast of the Saftas.
We will also demand input in and full oversight of the judging and categories of writers awards. And we are seriously looking at lobbying for an Independent Motion Picture and Television Academy to take over the running of the Saftas. A lot will depend on the meeting on 29 March.
In the meantime, the highly prestigious WGSA Muse Awards have opened for entries. This time, there is even a category for writers from the rest of Africa. With internationally acclaimed judges making the final choice, the WGSA Muse Awards really stand out as the awards for African writers, says Meier.
www.channel24.co.za
Film Festivals
Africa South Africa
LINK: | http://www.filmcontact.com/news/south-africa/local-writers-fuming-afte... |
See more stories from filmcontact |
Africa Stories
29/03/2024
Muvhango: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Muvhango: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African webs...
29/03/2024
Gqeberha: The Empire - Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Gqeberha: The Empire - Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South...
29/03/2024
My Brother's Keeper: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]
My Brother's Keeper: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sou...
29/03/2024
Umkhokha: The Curse - Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Umkhokha: The Curse - Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South ...
29/03/2024
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Skeem Saam: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African s...
29/03/2024
House of Zwide: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]
House of Zwide: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African...
28/03/2024
DJ Sbu makes shock return to SABC radio after almost a decade
DJ Sbu makes shock return to SABC radio after almost a decadeRevered radio host, media personality, philanthropist, and businessman DJ Sbu will finally be back ...
28/03/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Smoke and Mirrors: Thursday's episode, 28 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Afr...
28/03/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele informs Zola of her pregnancy
Tonight on House of Zwide: Zanele informs Zola of her pregnancyDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie House of Zwide o...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe outsmarts Gabisile but Difa's suspicion rises
Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe outsmarts Gabisile but Difa's suspicion risesDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie U...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Uzalo: Mbatha wins Linda Sibiya over
Tonight on Uzalo: Mbatha wins Linda Sibiya overDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Uzalo on SABC 1 on DStv channel...
28/03/2024
Generations: The Legacy - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Generations: The Legacy - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The S...
28/03/2024
Prison Journalism: Witness the Cycle from the Streets
Prison Journalism: Witness the Cycle from the StreetsWesley Leong was incarcerated at the age of 15 in 1996 at Pollsmoor Prison. He is currently part of Restore...
28/03/2024
Prison Journalism: Inmate pre-release and release processes
Prison Journalism: Inmate pre-release and release processesDean Mashimbwe, a Zimbabwean migrant residing in Cape Town, was incarcerated at Pollsmoor Correctiona...
28/03/2024
Streaming today: When You Finish Saving The World' on Netflix - 28 March 2024
Streaming today: When You Finish Saving The World' on Netflix - 28 March 20...
28/03/2024
Prison Journalism: The Story of Paulus
Prison Journalism: The Story of PaulusDavid van Nek was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Prison from 2013 until 2015 and participated in the restorative justice progra...
28/03/2024
Prison Journalism: Inside and Outside
Prison Journalism: Inside and OutsideFawaaz Adendorff was incarcerated in Pollsmoor Correctional Centre and participated in a Restorative Justice programme whil...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Muvhango: Imani escapes Khumo's hellhole
Tonight on Muvhango: Imani escapes Khumo's hellholeDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Muvhango on SABC 2 on DS...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Generations: Kea can sense her brother is hiding something
Tonight on Generations: Kea can sense her brother is hiding somethingDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Generation...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Magolide and Tiny compete against each other
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Magolide and Tiny compete against each otherDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Smoke...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Champions: Washington's struggle takes an unexpected turn
Tonight on Champions: Washington's struggle takes an unexpected turnDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Champio...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Scandal: Tibi's meltdown softens a teacher
Tonight on Scandal: Tibi's meltdown softens a teacherDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Scandal! on e.tv on DS...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Gqeberha: Lulama tells Thulani that she's pregnant with his child
Tonight on Gqeberha: Lulama tells Thulani that she's pregnant with his childDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie...
28/03/2024
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso has the wrong end of the stick
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso has the wrong end of the stickDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie My Br...
28/03/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa doubles down on his ill-treatment of Pretty
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Lehasa doubles down on his ill-treatment of PrettyDon't miss Thursday, 28 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Skeem ...
28/03/2024
Smoke and Mirrors: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Smoke and Mirrors: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South Af...
28/03/2024
Muvhango: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Muvhango: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African web...
28/03/2024
Gqeberha: The Empire - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Gqeberha: The Empire - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sout...
28/03/2024
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Skeem Saam: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Missed an episode of Skeem Saam? No problem! Watch the latest episode of your favourite South African ...
28/03/2024
House of Zwide: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
House of Zwide: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South Africa...
28/03/2024
My Brother's Keeper: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
My Brother's Keeper: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The So...
28/03/2024
Uzalo: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [video]
Uzalo: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [video]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websit...
28/03/2024
Scandal!: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Scandal!: Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African web...
28/03/2024
Umkhokha: The Curse - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Umkhokha: The Curse - Wednesday's episode, 27 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Generations: Hlomla is shaken that he came face to face with the stalker
Tonight on Generations: Hlomla is shaken that he came face to face with the stal...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny and Magolide plot to get the Managerial position
Tonight on Smoke and Mirrors: Tiny and Magolide plot to get the Managerial posit...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Oritonda gets to shine and it all seems to be going well for him
Tonight on Skeem Saam: Oritonda gets to shine and it all seems to be going well ...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Muvhango: Khumo, who is out on bail, tortures Imani
Tonight on Muvhango: Khumo, who is out on bail, tortures ImaniDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Muvhango on SABC...
27/03/2024
Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Scandal!: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South African websi...
27/03/2024
House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
House of Zwide: Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episode of South African soapie House of Zwide on The South African ...
27/03/2024
Generations: The Legacy - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Generations: The Legacy - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The Sou...
27/03/2024
Streaming today: The Believers' on Netflix - 27 March 2024
Streaming today: The Believers' on Netflix - 27 March 2024Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out all the new streaming releases from all your fa...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Uzalo: Mondli thinks he may have an idea who robbed the police station
Tonight on Uzalo: Mondli thinks he may have an idea who robbed the police statio...
27/03/2024
Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith leaves Funani due to unappreciated support, despite Funani's pleas
Tonight on House of Zwide: Faith leaves Funani due to unappreciated support, des...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe tries to threaten Gabisile to not tell
Tonight on Umkhokha: MaMzobe tries to threaten Gabisile to not tellDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Umkhokha: T...
27/03/2024
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso threatens to move out of home over his parent's disrespect of his wife
Tonight on My Brother's Keeper: Ndumiso threatens to move out of home over h...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Gqeberha: Stokkie makes a major move for his future
Tonight on Gqeberha: Stokkie makes a major move for his futureDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie Gqeberha: The Em...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Scandal: A young girl brings a dark cloud into her family's home
Tonight on Scandal: A young girl brings a dark cloud into her family's homeDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie...
27/03/2024
Tonight on Champions: Lebo gets career-changing news, but Ferrari looms large
Tonight on Champions: Lebo gets career-changing news, but Ferrari looms largeDon't miss Wednesday, 27 March's riveting episode of South African soapie C...
27/03/2024
Gqeberha: The Empire - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]
Gqeberha: The Empire - Tuesday's episode, 26 March 2024 [VIDEO]Stay up to date with the latest episodes of your favourite South African soapie on The South ...