by Thinus Ferreira
The "Covid-safe" 15th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) that will be held virtually this year on 22 May under the theme of "Still Shining" will have a trio of hosts this year, no in-auditorium guests, with the craft awards that will be streamed a day earlier on YouTube.
SABC3's Expresso presenter Graeme Richards, the comedian Mpho "Popps" Modikoane, and The Estate actress Dineo Langa will be the three hosts of the main ceremony this year.
The kykNET (DStv 144) Bravo! presenter Tracey Lange and the comedian Lesego Tlhabi, known as Coconut Kelz, will host the 15th SAFTAs craft awards on 21 May from 19:00 that will be live-streamed on the SAFTAs YouTube channel.
The 15th SAFTAs on 22 May, done by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), will be a simulcast broadcast for the first time ever and will be shown on the SABC's S3 channel as well as on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), with the broadcast also switching back to SABC3 from SABC2 after 7 years.
It will start with a red carpet broadcast from 18:30, with the social media influencer LaSizwe and Lerato Khanyago as the hosts, that will also be live-streamed on the SAFTAs YouTube channel.
The half-hour red carpet coverage will be followed by the main 15th SAFTAs awards show broadcast from 19:00 that is executive produced by Anneke de Ridder.
Makhosazana Khanyile, NFVF CEO, says the 15th SAFTAs will be a hybrid-broadcast this year with pre-recorded and live elements, observing Covid-19-safe social distancing rules.
She says the awards show will focus on and highlight the resilience of South Africa's film and TV industry given the impact of the Covid-pandemic on the industry over the past year.
