The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) says it dumped writers from the televised 13th South African Film and Television Awards since their creative art is ‘technical expertise’.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) that abruptly dumped writers and all writers' categories to the non-televised, so-called "technical awards" for the 13th Saftas now says writing isn't creative but "technical expertise" and was therefore removed.

The NFVF with acting CEO Shadrack Bokaba that organises the South African Film and Television Awards finally responded, just short of two weeks after the 13th Saftas took place at Sun City on 2 March and where writers and nominees in the various writers' categories discovered - to their shock - that they've been dumped.

Writers' categories were shunted from the main awards ceremony broadcast on SABC2 and bumped to the afternoon awards.

Writers, the Writers' Guild of South Africa (WGSA), and even nominees in writing categories were not told that their creative categories have been removed after numerous telenovela categories were added for the first time this year to the main awards.

Nominees who showed up on the Saturday had to hear that Golden Horn awards for their categories already got handed out during the afternoon.

While scrapping the writers' categories and dismissing it as "technical expertise" the NFVF and producers Clive Morris Productions responsible for the bloated Saturday night awards show broadcast, kept best directing categories that were not considered "technical".

The long-winded and yet-again badly produced televised ceremony included a speech by the minister of arts and culture Nathi Mthethwa, a youth achiever award, sponsored McDonaldsSA backstage bits, as well as a parade of telenovela and soap stars taking to the Saftas stage in-between wrong envelopes that got opened.

The NFVF, funded by the department of arts and culture, finally responded on Thursday evening - almost two weeks after Safta organisers were asked in multiple media enquiries made since 2 March - why the writers' categories were scuppered from the main awards ceremony.

The NFVF, in a statement from Instinctif, the PR company now used by the film funding body, on Thursday evening told TVwithThinus that scriptwriting - although a creative art - is now seen as "technical expertise".

"The quality of our scriptwriters is the backbone of our industry and should be recognised for the technical expertise these key categories represent," the NFVF said.

"In acknowledgement of this, the Saftas sub-committee, which is made up of members from the various industry bodies - and also sit as judges - made the decision to move the writing categories to the technical section of the award ceremony."

"We are currently working on a 4-month workshop where we are relooking the Saftas categories and criteria required, with the Saftas sub-committee. Once we have commenced with this process we will first send through the categories and criteria to all industry organisation chairs and their boards for their preparation."

The NFVF was asked multiple times when the decision was taken but the NFVF and Instinctif didn't answer this question. The NFVF was also asked for its comment and explanation about writers and nominees who say they were not informed about the move but declined to answer this.

The NFVF was asked if it has a message for South Africa's TV industry about writers' categories and what its response is to the Writers' Guild of South Africa (WGSA) saying it will boycott the Saftas moving forward unless the writers' categories are restored to the main awards ceremony, but the NFVF chose not to answer these questions either.


Meetings abruptly cancelled
According to insiders, an initial meeting between the WGSA and the NFVF CEO was abruptly cancelled by the NFVF.

A possible new meeting between the WGSA and NFVF will likely be with Makhosazana Khanyile, known as Khosi Khanyile in the industry, who is taking over as new NFVF CEO from 1 April.

On Tuesday, according to insiders, the NFVF also cancelled a Saftas debriefing and new programmes session that was scheduled for 29 March, without any reasons given, and no new date set.

According to insiders, there was no meeting where either the move of writing categories or the short documentary category - also mired in a scandal of its own - was approved to be moved to the technical awards.

The WGSA told TVwithThinus it is "shocked and taken aback" by the removal of writers' categories from the Saftas main awards and demands 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."

On Friday the WGSA told TVwithThinus that "writers are creatives and writing is not a technical skill but a creative one. The only thing technical about what we do is using a computer".

"Secondly, WGSA was not invited to be part of the Safta sub-committees, nor did we provide judges for the screenwriting categories. If writers were part of either, they were chosen by NFVF and were not representatives of the mandated industry organisation."

"We only heard about the move of the writing categories to the 'technical awards' at the networking session on the morning of the Safta awards. There was no consultation and WGSA was not officially informed of the change. If our vice chairperson Eubulus Timothy had not been at Sun City, we would have found out about this during the actual awards show, said Harriet Meier, WGSA chairperson.

"Further as to the cancellation of the debrief of the Saftas, we have still not been advised of any reasons, nor have we been informed of a new date. We have also not heard anything further from the acting CEO since his acknowledgement of receipt of our letter and promise to revert."

"And finally, we are not part of the 'sub-committee' which is allegedly relooking the Safta categories and criteria - and I have no idea what they mean by sending categories and criteria to industry organisation chairs for their 'preparation'," said Harriet Meier.

The NFVF and Safta organisers quietly dumped awarding a winner in the Best Documentary Short category at the 13th Saftas due to a content ownership fight of one of the nominees.

The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and organisers of the 13th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) decided to quietly dump awarding a winner in the Best Documentary short category after a fight over ownership of the content started.

The NFVF, Saftas organisers and PR company Instinctif didn't bother to alert or notify the media either before or after Saturday night's live broadcast of the 13th Saftas on SABC2 that the best Documentary short category and a winner for it, has been removed from the line-up.

Media like TVwithThinus scrutinising the confusing winners list and comparing it with the issued nominees list, were left wondering whether it was left out by mistake or what is going on, with no clarity whatsoever from the NFVF and no note accompanying the winners list.

After Best Documentary short nominees were announced and part of the official 13th Saftas nominees list in February, the NFVF and Safta organisers at some point in time decided to remove the category due to the dispute, without telling the public.

In February the NFVF announced the three nominees in the Best Documentary short category as "Follow the Guns" from Combined Artistic Productions producing Carte Blanche on M-Net (DStv 101) and that broadcast it on Carte Blanche, Someone to Blame - the Ahmed Timol Inquest from EMS Productions CC that was seen on SABC3, and Scenes from a Dry City from SaltPeter Productions CC.

It's not clear around which one of three nominees there is a fight regarding ownership of the content submitted.

Neither Shadrack Bokaba, NFVF acting CEO and Neo Moretlwe, NFVF communications coordinator, nor the Instinctif PR agency handling media enquiries regarding the 13th Saftas has so far responded to media enquiries TVwithThinus made since Sunday morning and on Monday as to what is going on with the Best Documentary short category.

It's not known whether a winner will be announced for the 13th Saftas for Best Documentary short, or whether the winner is the actual nominee that there is a content ownership problem with.

Also unclear is how the issue will be resolved, if the NFVF is involved, and if - should it be resolved - when and how the winner in the Best Documentary short will get their trophy.


UPDATE Tuesday 5 March 2019 - 10:12:

The Instinctif PR agency issues a "holding statement" from the NFVF saying "The NFVF is an organisation committed to governance, due process and the highest standards of ethical conduct".

"We are aware of the current dispute regarding ownership of some of the content submitted for consideration in our Best Documentary Short award category."

"Until the matter is resolved between the two parties, we have decided to withdraw the awarding of any prizes in that category, as we believe the outcome may have a material impact on the overall determination of the successful nominee."

"While the dispute in no way relates to NFVF business or processes, as the agency mandated to ensure equitable growth of South Africa's film and video industry, we undertake to facilitate a dispute resolution process within the ambit of our mandate during the course of next week."

"We are committed to working with all stakeholders to prioritise a speedy resolution in the interests of both parties."

South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation reveals that it has started discussions with other African countries around the possible formation of an African film fund to help make TV and film coproductions between African countries possible.

South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) on Saturday revealed that it has started discussions between South Africa and other African nations around the possible formation of an African film fund to help with making film and TV coproductions possible between producers in different African countries.

Shadrack Bokaba, the acting NFVF CEO, spoke in a pre-recorded message that was played on Sunday night during the broadcast of the 13th South African Film and Television Awards taking place at Sun City, revealing that talks have started around the creation of an African film fund.

"In the last two years, we have embarked on a new strategic venture, with the focus being on Africa. In doing so, a strategic partnership was formed with our neighbouring countries."

"We are pleased to have begun discussions around forming an African film fund that will encourage coproductions within the continent," Shadrack Bokaba said.

Shadrack Bokaba also said that the South African government "needs to invest more money in developing infrastructure as there are current challenges that impact the country's economic growth, such as failing to draw South African audiences to cinemas and attracting foreign production to invest in our country".

Saturday's 13th Saftas marked the first appearance of Shadrack Bokaba at the awards show since he replaced Zama Mkosi who abruptly quit under a cloud in May 2108.

Shadrack Bokaba in his recorded message mentioned nothing about the corruption that was uncovered the past year inside the NFVF since the last Saftas and the forensic investigation into the NFVF by the department of arts and culture that funds the NFVF.

The Comperio Report into the rot and corruption at the National Film and Video Foundation found that staffers took family members on luxury trips to Sun City for the South African Film and Television Awards.

TV CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK. A KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission 'Beach Party' at Sun City, a Gauteng Film Commission brunch: The bizarre sideshows at the NFVF's 13th Saftas that look like a waste, with money that could actually directly support film making in their provinces.

You won't think that there are a serious shortage of funds to support struggling and emerging South African filmmakers, or that producers are struggling to get paid by the SABC, if you witnessed the bizarre money-wasting sideshows at the NFVF's 13th South African Film and Television Awards that took place this weekend at Sun City.

It ranged from a "Beach Party" sponsored by the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission to a brunch courtesy of the Gauteng Film Commission.

Instead of actually directly investing in and helping filmmakers, actors, writers and other talent in their own provinces, some of South Africa's film commissions literally splurged on dubious-looking sideshow events at the National Film and Video Foundation's (NFVF) 13 South African Film and Television Awards that was held on Saturday at Sun City in the North West province.

Why? What exactly is the positive return on investment for film commissions, constantly pleading poverty, yet spending and apparently wasting a lot of money on unnecessary things like a "beach party" in the middle of the North West?

Does it generate reams of positive articles in the press, glossy pictorial pages, and fawning coverage from the media?

Do the guests who attend the NFVF's awards show shindig at the shiny Sun City feel better, or better about themselves, afterwards? Does McDonalds SA end up selling more McCafe brew?

First up, there was the "by invitation only" so-called 13th Saftas "Beach Party" at Sun City's Valley of the Waves on Friday evening - courtesy of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission and McDonalds South Africa where DJs and artists performed and guests indulged in a feeding frenzy of food and drink.

How exactly does this advance the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission's mission to support "film", and presumably in KwaZulu-Natal?

Does a "beach party" in the North West buy goodwill from the film fraternity elsewhere and help with nice exposure, or what does it actually accomplish?

(Co-incidentally Jacqueline Motsepe, COO of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission got an award on Saturday night at the 13th Saftas, the Outstanding provincial contributor award, whatever that means.)

Where are the press releases and information about the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission in the press pack and Google drive for media that could have been issued, added and sent out by the NFVF? It doesn't exist.

Where was a panel discussion or roundtable with media if the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission actual had a presence at Sun City? It just looks like a colossal waste.

Cue Saturday morning at Sun City for the 13th Saftas and the Gauteng Film Commission doing a "networking session" breakfast in the North West province where those who bothered to show up were "addressed".

Of course sponsor McDonalds South Africa was here as well.

It looked far from jam-packed.

Again, where are the transcripts of the speech or speeches of whoever from the Gauteng Film Commission spoke? A basic press release?

Where is whatever was issued to the media, if even anything?

Here too, the NFVF communication people couldn't be bothered to issue something to the media and neither did the Gauteng Film Commission.

And again the questions: What exactly is the return on the investment from this empty-looking breakfast session and how is the value from that investment measured?

Where is the media coverage? Were there even media there?

And a bonus point if anyone can answer what happens to all of the wasted food.

South Africa and the South African economy entered into a technical recession in 2018. People and the South African film and TV industry are struggling. There's been a huge number of job losses in the industry in 2018 and more were planned in 2019 at the SABC until it was halted last month.

In this critic's opinion, it's unseemingly, crass and totally out-of-touch for the National Video and Film Foundation and places like the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission and Gauteng Film Commission to splash the cash on trivial-trash like a "Beach Party", or something like a "networking session" at something like the problematic and constantly badly produced Saftas when money and available resources are scarce.

The optics of these things - call them marketing "activations" if you really like - are terrible.

It comes across as if the National Film and Video Foundation and places like the KwaZulu Film Commission and Gauteng Film Commission are having a luxury, cheese-platter and McFlurry-filled weekend away living it up at Sun City with time for the "beach" while South Africa's TV and film industry suffers.

The NFVF's Saftas is already at risk of becoming even more out-of-touch and irrelevant with viewers. Yet its "elitist" and detached image is being helped along with things like a "Beach Party" and Sun City visitors nibbling on cheese for breakfast.

As I've said before, the NFVF under acting CEO Shadrack Bokaba, needs to do a radical overhaul of the troubled, struggling and badly done South African Film and Television Awards.

The Saftas at Sun City - replete with beach party -  looks like the elitist Capitol in The Hunger Games films while South Africa's struggling TV and film industry who it is actually meant for, are standing on the outside, looking in at the champagne crowd.

Do film commission "districts" gleefully dispatching their reps and money there have any idea of how they're perceived?

What next? A Showmax sponsored binge-lunch all-you-cat eat buffet? A MultiChoice sponsored content discovery game set in the as-difficult Sun City maze?

A Netflix South Africa Shadow puppet show (oh wait, Netflix reached its targets with anything to do with shadows)? Or a SABC activation at the top of the water slides with people flicking coins down and watching money being thrown into the water?

It's high-time to re-envision the Safta awards at Sun City and what exactly happens there - and not.

2019's 13th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) sees M-Net's The River on DStv's 1Magic channel win the most awards at 10, while Showmax makes history winning the first awards for a video streaming service.

In another embarrassing broadcast production of the South African Film and Television Awards on Saturday night the National Film and Video Foundation's (NFVF) 13th Saftas saw M-Net's telenovela The River on 1Magic (DStv 103) win the most awards - 10 - with Showmax making history, winning its first awards and marking the first awards ever going to a video streaming service in the history of the awards show.

With multiple production companies boycotting the Saftas this year in a list that's growing, winners who were announced at the technical awards on Saturday morning and the evening's "main" awards at Sun City were not truly legitimate and representative of the South African film and television industry.

The NFVF and Saftas organisers admitted they did nothing the past year to reach out to producers and to address their concerns around the Saftas.

The 13th Saftas broadcast on SABC2 was presented by Pearl Modiadie and Thomas Msengana who were flat in the presentation in a production filled with multiple mistakes and problems, ranging from sound to visual mistakes and even a wrong winners envelope.

In a statement Shadrack Bokaba, NFVF acting CEO, said "With the Saftas, the NFVF looks to celebrate the industry as a whole while being able to outline some of the inroads made in the industry and I believe that this weekend, we certainly did that. Well done to all the winners."


Best short film
Stillborn (Yellowbone Entertainment)

Best student film
The Water Dancers (University of Cape Town)


TV COMEDY
Best achievement in directing
Tali's Wedding Diary (Ari Kruger)

Best achievement in scriptwriting
Thuli no Thulani (Rethabile Ramaphakela, Mpho Osei, Karabo Lediga, Anne Davis, Julian Koboekae, Tshegofatso Monaisa, Meren Reddy, Bradley Katzen, Katleho Ramaphakela)

Best achievement in art direction
Abo Mzala III (Lerato Pitso)

Best achievement in make-up and hair
Abo Mzala III (Regentse Munyai)

Best achievement in wardrobe
Abo Mzala III ( Gisselah McLeod)

Best achievement in sound
Bedford Wives (Janno Muller)

Best achievement in cinematography 
Tali's Wedding Diary (James Adey)

Best achievement in editing
Talis' Wedding Diary (Richard Starkey)

Best actress
Julia Anastasopoulos (Tali's Wedding Diary)

Best actor
Hannes Burmmer (Elke Skewe Pot)

Best supporting actress
Nomsa Buthelezi (Abo Mzala III)

Best supporting actor
Warren Masemola (Single Galz)

Best TV comedy
Tali's Wedding Diary (Sketchbook Productions)


TV SOAP
Best achievement in directing
Isibaya (Phiwe Mkhanzi, Sthembiso Mathenjwa)

Best achievement in scriptwriting
Isithembiso (Charleen Ntsane, Chris Blomkamp, Daniel Zimbler, Sayitsheni Mdakhi,  Iain Paton, Catherine Muller,  Libby Dougherty, Andrew Petersen, Mbasa  Tsetsana, Thabo Boom, Matthew Jankes)

Best achievement in editing
Isithembiso (Kirsten de Magalhaes, Rian van der Walt, Jeremy Briers, Molatsi Molefe, Martin Mosala, Sphiwe Nhlumayo, Matodzi Nedmungadi, Tshepo Kgatsoetsoe, Brett Anolik)

Best achievement in sound
Isithembiso (Sevetian Maslamoney, Zeno Peterson)

Best achievement in wardrobe
Uzalo (Nokubonga Ngobeni)

Best achievement in make-up and hair
Uzalo (Stella Johnson)

Best achievement in art direction
Getroud met Rugby (Michelle Cronje)

Best actress
Kgomotso Christopher (Scandal!)

Best actor
Jamie Bartlett (Rhythm City)

Best supporting actress
Gcina Mkhize (Isibaya)

Best supporting actor
Abdul Khoza (Isibaya)

Best TV soap
Uzalo (Stained Glass TV)


TELENOVELA
Best achievement in directing
The River (Johnny Barbuzano, Catharine Cooke, Zolani Phakade, Ferry Jele)

Best achievement in scriptwriting
The River (Gwydion Beynon, Phathutshedzo Makwarela)

Best achievement in original music
The River (Brendan Jury)

Best achievement in editing
The River (Ula Oelsen, Bongi Malefo, Matodzi Nemungadi)

Best achievement in sound
The River (Ben Oelsen, Lele Seate, Tladi Mabuya)

Best achievement in cinematography
The River (Gaopalelwe Kabe, Trevor Brown)

Best achievement in wardrobe
Broken Vows (Princess Morodi)

Best achievement in make-up and hair
Broken Vows (Mmabatho Seema)

Best achievement in art direction
Broken Vows (Sam Dell)

Best actress
Moshidi Motshegwa (The River)

Best actor
Presley Chweneyagae (The River)

Best supporting actress
Vele Manenje (Ring of Lies II)

Best supporting actor
Lawrence Maleka (The River)

Best telenovela
The River (Tshedza Pictures)


TV DRAMA
Best achievement in directing
Tjovitjo (Vincent Moloi)

Best achievement in scriptwriting
Emoyeni (Thishiwe  Ziqubu, Karabo Lediga, Tshenolo  Mabale, Nozipho Nkelemba, Mmabatho  Montsho)

Best achievement in editing
Emoyeni (Itumeleng Nkabinde)

Best achievement in sound
Fynskrif (Stef Albertyn)

Best achievement in original music
Fynskrif (Braam Du Toit)

Best achievement in art direction
The Docket (Ilze Van Den Berg, Richard Rehbock, Nazo Maloyi)

Best achievement in wardrobe
Lockdown II (Gisellah Mcleod)

Best achievement in make-up and hair
Lockdown II (Babalwa Carol Djieutcheu)

Best achievement in cinematography
Emoyeni (Marc Rowlston)

Best actress
Dawn Thandeka King (Lockdown II)

Best actor
Mothusi Magano (Emoyeni)

Best supporting actress
Lorcia Cooper (Lockdown II)

Best supporting actor
S'dumo Mtshali (Is'thunzi II)

Best TV drama
Lockdown II (Black Brain Productions)



Best documentary short
The NFVF and Saftas suddenly didn't award this category because there is now a dispute regarding an ownership issue. The NFVF, Saftas organisers and Instinctif PR agency didn't notify the public about this and by Monday morning, 4 March 2019 hasn't responded to media enquiries about what is going on with the category.


DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
Best achievement in directing 
Everything Must Fall (Rehad Desai)

Best achievement in cinematography
Tribe versus Pride (Dereck Joubert)

Best achievement in editing
Tribe versus Pride (Jolene Van Antwerp)

Best achievement in sound design
Tribe versus Pride (Beverly Joubert)

Best documentary feature
Everything Must Fall (Uhuru Productions Pty Ltd)


Best wildlife programme
Incredible Bats (Earth Touch)

Best children's programme
Restyle my Style IV (Quizzical Pictures)

Best reality show
My First (Mirror Effect Media)

Best game show
Noot vir Noot 43 (Stemmburg Television)

Best international format show
My Kitchen Rules SA II (Picture Tree)

Best factual and education programme
Kick it (Engage Entertainment)

Best current affairs programme
Dr Sello Of Ikhageng (Health-e, Checkpoint)

Best variety show
Jan (Brainwave Productions)

Best magazine show
Nisboere (Production etal)

Best youth programme
Mi Kasi Su Kasi (What Box)

Best talk show
Thando Bares All (Oxyg3n Media)

Best music show
The Rockets 50ste Herdenkingskonsert (All Star Productions)

Best made for TV movie
Thembi's Trial (Chocolate Milk and Cookies)


FEATURE FILM
Best achievement in directing
Ellen, Die Ellen Pakkies Storie (Daryne Joshua)

Best achievement in scriptwriting
Kanarie (Christiaan Olwagen, Charl-Johan Lingenfelder)

Best achievement in cinematography
Meerkat Maantuig (Willie Nel)

Best achievement in sound design
Sew the Winter to my Skin (Barry Donnelly)

Best achievement in original music
Ellen, Die Ellen Pakkies Storie (Quinn Lubbe)

Best achievement in editing
Nommer 37 (Simon  Beesley)

Best achievement in production design 
Five Fingers for Marseilles (J Franz  Lewis)

Best achievement in costume design
Five Fingers for Marseilles (Pierre Vienings) 

Best achievement in make-up and hairstyling
Stroomop (Minuche Bridgette Snyman)

Best actress
Jill Levenberg (Ellen, Die Ellen Pakkies Storie)

Best actor
Jarrid Geduld (Ellen, Die Ellen Pakkies Storie)

Best supporting actress
Ilse Klink (Stroomop)

Best supporting actor
Zolisa Xaluva (Sew the Winter to my Skin)

Best feature film
Sew the Winter to my Skin (Yellowbone Entertainment)


Best TV presenter
Siv Ngesi (The Man Cave VI)

Most popular soap/telenovela
The River (Tshedza Pictures)

NFVF needs money to stage the 13th South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) in March 2019, appoints Clive Morris Productions to produce.

The beleaguered National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) that's been roiled by corruption is trying to improve its local TV and film awards, announcing Clive Morris Productions (CMP) as the production company for the 13th South Africa Film and Television Awards (Saftas), while it's desperately looking for funds to stage it.

Meanwhile the Saftas technical awards that used to take place a few days before the main awards show, will now be taking place on the same day or be incorporated into the main show.

The NFVF and the Saftas continues to be slammed for mounting an amateurish and unprofessional awards show, embarrassing the local TV and film industry whose professional level of work and output it is supposed to showcase and celebrate.

Shadrack Bokaba who has taken over as acting NFVF CEO, after Zama Mkosi abruptly quit and left under a cloud in mid-2018, says the "judging process is fair, credible and inclusive" for the upcoming 13th Saftas that will be broadcast on SABC2 on Saturday, 2 March 2019, starting with a red carpet show at 19:00, followed by the main awards show at 20:00.

At 2 March, the 13th South African Film and Television Awards will be almost a month earlier than the date of 24 March this year, leaving producers and organisers precious little time to prepare.

The Saftas will also once again be held at the Sun City resort in the North West province, despite electricity blackouts this year than scuppered planned press events, the media not being told or able to get access to panel discussions, and criticism about the distance forcing talent, nominees and attendees to drive back to Johannesburg after the awards show very late at night.

Asked why the Saftas will again be held at Sun City given these problems, the NFVF says "Sun City is chosen in an effort to diversify and ensure film and TV related activities are spread across the under-services provinces".

"The North West province, in partnership with the North West department of culture, arts and traditional affairs, entered into a partnership that includes yearlong activities to develop the film industry in the province."

After ongoing criticism over the Saftas shoddy production values and multiple mistakes marring the awards show both for the in-studio crowd as well as viewers at home, the NFVF has awarded the tender to execute and deliver the live broadcast of the 13th Saftas to Clive Morris Productions.

The NFVF tells TVwithThinus that the usual Saftas technical awards preceding the main ceremony as a separate awards show evening two days prior will in 2019 no longer be happening over two different days but "will happen in one day in order to allow everyone in the industry to honour and celebrate each other, while promoting the creativity, quality and excellence".

Asked why the NFVF has been able to secure SABC2 as the broadcast channel much earlier than in the past, and Clive Morris Productions as the production company, the NFVF says "it hopes to continue our partnership with the SABC allowing viewers from all over South Africa the opportunity to celebrate with all the winners" and that "the tender process concluded earlier in the hope to begin the preparations timeously".

While Zama Mkosi was previously listed and given an end-credit as executive producer although she wasn't part of the production company actually doing the awards show broadcast, the NFVF was asked if Shadrack Bokaba will be getting an executive producer credit in 2019. The NFVF says "the executive producers are decided during the production process".


Producers' boycott solved?
The past few years the NFVF has been embroiled in various allegations of money wasting and mismanagement of funds by senior executives, seriously damaging the credibility and reputation of the NFVF with the organisation that has seen its relationship with both the TV and film industry deteriorate, as well as with the media.

The Saftas also suffers from an ongoing boycott by South African production companies and shows damaging the award show's credibility with the NFVF that has done little besides lipservice to address producers' concerns regarding the Saftas structure, transparency over judging and other issues.

For the past number of years the Saftas' Most Popular TV Soap category voted for by viewers has also been a hollow victory with an incomplete list, since local soaps are blocked from being eligible if they don't enter any of the other categories - a lock-out rule the NFVF has refused to change.

It has made it impossible for instance for Generations on SABC1 or Muvhango on SABC2 to win despite being two of the most-watched TV shows in South Africa, two of the shows that continued a boycott against the Saftas in 2018.

Like for the 12th Saftas, the overall judging chairpersons for the 13th Saftas are producer Firdoze Bulbulia and the South African singer, actress, and playwright Thembi Mtshali-Jones, with judging that started in November. The second phase of judging will start in January 2019.

The nominees for the 13th South Africa Film and Television Awards will be announced in February 2019 with the industry hoping that the NFVF will drastically improve the way the nominees announcement media event is organised, presented and executed, following similar, ongoing criticism about unprofessionalism for the 12th Saftas and in the past.

Meanwhile the NFVF, where a forensic investigation this year found that NFVF staffers and council members took family members with them on luxury trips to Sun City, says it's looking for funds for the Saftas.

Shadrack Bokaba says the "NFVF is working tirelessly to try and source funding for the awards. The awards are funded through partnerships, and I urge both public and private sector partners to come together and assist us in honouring and celebration excellence in our industry".

"I would like to thank all the producers for submitting their content and reiterate that these awards are on a voluntary basis. Work and talent that is not submitted by the producers of the respective shows and films cannot be considered."

Comperio Report of the forensic investigation into the rot and corruption at National Film and Video Foundation finds staffers took family members on luxury trips to Sun City for the South African Film and Television Awards.

The report on the forensic investigation at the rot and corruption at South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an organisation funded by the department of arts and culture, uncovered various NFVF staffers and council members who took family members with them on luxury trips to Sun City for the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas), as well as high flying overseas trips with taxpayer's money without the minister of arts and culture's permission and sign-off.

The investigation by Comperio Consulting and dubbed The Comperio Report found a massive overspend by the National Film and Video Foundation on things like office renovations with money that should be going to fund film and television production in South Africa.

While the NFVF's projected legal costs are spiraling, The Comperio Report also found problems with staff appointments and numerous abuses of the NFVF's finances.

The NFVF is responsible for the shoddily organised South African Film and Television Awards that remains shockingly bad every year without improvement and in 2018 once again horrified viewers and the local TV and film industry with its mistake-riddled 2-night award shows in March that was was boycotted by some of South Africa's biggest TV productions.

Shadrack Bokaba is currently the acting NFVF CEO to provide "organisational stability" and replaced Zama Mkosi who abruptly resigned in May and left under a cloud when the findings of The Comperio Report started to be implemented.

Two NFVF council members – Thabiso Masudubele and Pam Mashiane – are accused of flouting international travel regulations, while Phil Molefe allegedly made several high-flying overseas trips from Cannes to China without sign-off by the minister of arts and culture, Nathi Mthethwa as is required.

Several questions have been put to the National Film and Video Foundation in a media enquiry about The Comperio Report but Neo Moretlwe, NFVF communications coordinator and Xolelwa Nomgca, marketing and communications manager, despite asking several times, somehow didn't provide specific answers.

The NFVF was asked what its response is to the Comperio report that found that NFVF executives and NFVF council members took family members to Sun City for the Saftas at taxpayer’s expense. The NFVF was asked why this happened and will this continue to happen?

No response.

The NFVF was asked its response about NFVF council members like Thabiso Masudubele and Pam Mashiane who allegedly broke international travel regulations and for instance flying first class.

No response.

The NFVF is supposed to help and support the local SA film and TV industry and was asked of the NFVF is worried that the image of NFVF executives and council members and news about luxury local and foreign trips and stays, and taking family members along is damaging the NFVF’s image within the industry, with media and with the public? The NFVF was also asked what its is doing to improve its image?

No response.

The NFVF was also asked how the NFVF quantify the value or the return of investment (ROI) when people are flown internationally? How did the NFVF work out the return on investment it got from people and media who were invited to stay at Sun City for this year’s Saftas and what was the press coverage of media who were invited and stayed at NFVF expense?

No response.

The NFVF was also asked if its budget for legal spending of R85 000 has been changed to R1.35 million and if so, why?

No response.

The NFVF sent a quote, attributable to Shadrack Bokaba, NFVF acting CEO, stating that "the NFVF has undergone numerous changes, all investigations have been completed and recommendations are being implemented".

"The work of developing and providing funding to filmmakers has never ceased, and the focus now is to stabilise the organisation to continue fulfilling our mandate. Budget allocation towards all activities is informed by past trends, accompanied by a precautionary increase."

The NFVF was asked several times which of the questions the statement is the answer to, and where the other answers are, but there has been no response. If the NFVF respond with the other answers and where the one answer received fits, it will be added here.

South Africa's National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) urgently looking for a new CEO.

The struggling National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is urgently looking for a new CEO after the abrupt departure of Zama Mkosi under a cloud at the end of May.

Shadrack Bokaba is temporarily standing in as acting CEO of the NFVF to provide "organisational stability".

The minister of arts and culture, Nathi Mthethwa ordered a forensic investigation into the NFVF months ago and the report and findings were delivered to the government in March 2018 already.

So far Nathi Mthethwa has refused to make the report into the findings of corruption and mismanagement public.

The past few years the NFVF has been embroiled in various allegations of money wasting and mismanagement of funds by senior executives, seriously damaging the credibility and reputation of the NFVF with the organisation that has seen its relationship with both the TV and film industry deteriorate, as well as with the media.

The allegations of mismanagement and money waste included not just overseas trips and expense accounts for foreign travel in luxury hotels with outrageous travel demands - money meant to fund film and television in South Africa - but also local splurging with trips to Sun City.

The bulk of NFVF staffers in an open letter complained about NFVF working conditions and made a litany of allegations of corruption within the NFVF and other irregular issues, implicating Zama Mkosi, as well as the NFVF's chief financial officer and NFVF council members.

The NFVF is now urgently looking for a new CEO, with the closing date for applications that's 16 July.

The new NFVF CEO will have to "develop and oversee the strategy of the NFVF" and will have to "direct, lead and manage the NFVF in its strategic growth and operations path"

People who want to apply must send their CV to vacancies@nfvf.co.za by no later than 16 July 2018.

Zama Mkosi abruptly out as NFVF CEO as findings of forensic investigation is being implemented; Shadrack Bokaba in as acting CEO to provide 'organisational stability'.

Zama Mkosi has abruptly resigned as CEO of the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) with her resignation following a forensic investigation into allegations of mismanagement, waste of funds and other issues at the embattled organisation supposed to promote and support South Africa's film and television industry.

Zama Mkosi is out with immediate effect and is being replaced by Shadrack Bokaba as acting CEO for the time being, "in the interest of organisational stability" according to the NFVF. There's been no quote or statement from Zama Mkosi or any reasons given why she's left the NFVF abruptly, but she resigned on 27 May.

The NFVF says it will start the process looking for a new CEO. Zamantungwa Mkosi was appointed NFVF CEO in February 2012.

The past few years the NFVF has been embroiled in various allegations of money wasting and mismanagement of funds by senior executives, seriously damaging the credibility and reputation of the NFVF with the organisation that has seen its relationship with both the TV and film industry deteriorate, as well as with the media. 

The allegations of mismanagement and money waste included not just overseas trips and expense accounts for foreign travel in luxury hotels with outrageous travel demands - money meant to fund film and television in South Africa - but also local splurging with trips to Sun City.

The bulk of NFVF staffers in an open letter complained about NFVF working conditions and made a litany of allegations of corruption within the NFVF and other irregular issues, implicating Zama Mkosi, as well as the NFVF's chief financial officer and NFVF council members.

It led to the minister of arts and culture, Nathi Mthethwa ordering a forensic investigation into the NFVF, the report and findings of which the department has so far refused to make public although it was delivered to the government in March 2018 already.

The NFVF that continues to organise expensive overseas trips, also continues to be criticised for the badly organised and low quality of the televised South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas), the NFVF's supposed showpiece, that keeps being marred by in-fighting and unhappy producers and production companies who boycott the awards.

At the badly organised 12th Saftas held in March and televised on SABC2, Zama Mkosi who got an executive producer title, used the platform to lash out at and slam South Africa's media. Alluding to the allegations of corruption, mismanagement and mismanagement of funds inside the NFVF, Zama Mkosi told viewers how difficult is is to find funding for the Saftas due to the "ongoing bad press" the NFVF gets in the media.

The NFVF in a statement now says "Zama Mkosi has resigned as CEO of the NFVF with immediate effect". The NFVF "also announces the appointment of Joy Mawela as the head of industry development, training and marketing effective 1 June 2018 and Mbali Buthelezi as chief financial officer effective 1 July 2018".

"In the meanwhile the NFVF council has commenced implementation of the findings of the forensic report that was commissioned by the minister of arts and culture, Nathi Mthethwa, with regard to the various allegations of impropriety at the NFVF."

"Equally important to the NFVF council is the desire to improve staff morale and brand reputation of the NFVF, amidst all the negative publicity that has engulfed the NFVF in the recent past," says the NFVF.