From left: Ari Kruger, Julia Anastasopoulos, Daniel Zimbler, Keren Setton, and Candice Fangueiro
Showmax has made South African TV history winning 5 awards at 2019's 13th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) that took place on Saturday, becoming the first video streaming service to win at the awards show for an original production that was also its first.
Tali's Wedding Diary, produced by Sketchbook Studios and created by the husband and wife team of Ari Kruger and Julia Anastasopoulos and with her starring, saw big wins for both.
Tali's Wedding Diary won Golden Horn trophies on Saturday at Sun City for Best achievement in directing (Ari Kruger), Best achievement in cinematography (James Adey), Best achievement in editing (Richard Starkey), Best actress (Julia Anastasopoulos), and for Best TV comedy.
Tali's Wedding Diary was the show with the most wins out of the 13 comedy categories at the Saftas.
Julia Anastasopoulos in her acceptance speech thanked Showmax, Sketchbook Studios and her director husband for bringing Tali's Wedding Diary to life.
Candice Fangueiro, the head of content for MultiChoice Connected Video division, on Sunday told TVwithThinus that "When we were making Tali’s Wedding Diary we joked about winning a Safta - it seemed totally crazy given it was our first fully-fledged Showmax Original and all of us were learning as we went".
"Fast-forward and we're on stage not just winning one Safta award but taking home five. I'm still pinching myself."
"Julia and Ari have been amazing partners in bringing to life a character who South Africa has come to love."
"Tali's Wedding Diary has become bigger than we ever could have expected and this gives us the confidence and appetite to get out there and tell more stories. I’m really grateful to everyone involved - what an incredible outcome," said Candice Fangueiro.
