JUNE IDIDTHAT CRAFT AWARDS_header image (large)

Best in Craft awarded to Thina Zibi from Hello Circus and Tebza from The Star Film Company

This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by Jabulani Sigege, Executive Creative Director at Machine_

‘What are the IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards?’ Every month we team up with ad industry leaders to award the finest in South African film and production craft across these different categories: Direction, Editing, Cinematography, Animation and VFX, Online, Original Sound, Sound Design and Final Mix. It’s just another way that we make it ridiculously easy to stay up-to-date with who’s doing the best work in the country.

BEST IN CRAFT (Direction)
Awarded by Jabulani Sigege

CRAFT MENTION (Direction)
Awarded by Justice Mukheli

Chicken Licken ‘Help Jamie Find Love’
The Star Film Company | Tebza

‘Poor Jamie. Much like Jim Carrey’s character in the “The Number 23” seeing the aforementioned number everywhere, Jamie sees the same with signs related to love. From inside his own home and on the streets to inside the taxi he takes (even the sticker on the window!). It’s these little things that all add up, allowing us to feel our hero resigning himself to the fact that he will never find love. Or will he? Props to the director for bringing the viewer into Jamie’s world to experience his emotional state. A tricky thing to pull off when there’s virtually no dialogue. Even the music track is done in a way that is still uniquely Chicken Licken. And the ending puts a smile on your face, even if it doesn’t on Jamie’s. Nicely done.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Jabulani Sigege, Executive Creative Director at Machine_

‘I enjoy the simple storytelling in this, and it is rooted in such truth and authentic South African feelings. Beautiful work Tebz.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justice Mukheli, Director at Romance

BEST IN CRAFT (Direction)
Awarded by Justice Mukheli

CRAFT MENTION (Direction)
Awarded by Jabulani Sigege

Department of Education ‘Raising Better Men’
Hello Circus | Thina Zibi

‘This is such an important piece of work. I really love that the story was told with sensitivity and heart. It does not feel like an ad, which makes it much stronger. Beautiful work Thina!’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justice Mukheli, Director at Romance

‘A beautifully earnest piece of storytelling. No gimmicks. Just a scenario that everyone can recognise and talks to what makes us abantu (human) – empathy. It doesn’t try to overexplain with words (considering it’s for government) but shows rather, how teaching boys to be empathetic from a young age will make them better men. More of this for South Africa please.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Jabulani Sigege, Executive Creative Director at Machine_

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Awarded by Jabulani Sigege

Ballantine’s ‘Stay True Cities’
Spitfire | JT Moatshe

‘A superbly directed mini-documentary that allows two of Pretoria’s hottest DJs, Mellow and Sleazy, to tell their tale of how they got together and created their Pitori-influenced Amapiano sound. Their story is enhanced by them telling it in their mother tongues and bringing in locations from their respective hoods, and people who have been along for their journey or know them. All of the above combine to create a compelling narrative that is gritty, authentic and can’t be anything but Mzansi. The director knew what they wanted and made sure they got it.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Jabulani Sigege, Executive Creative Director at Machine_

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Awarded by Justice Mukheli

Jägermeister ‘Save the Night’
Paul Ward

‘We’ve seen a lot of this type of work, or work that is trying to be what Paul created. I enjoyed how Paul made this world in a way that feels new to what I’ve seen. The lighting, energy, camera language, and just the technical approach feels fresh. I was drawn in and followed the journey without being bored till the end. Nice one Paul.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justice Mukheli, Director at Romance

IDIDTHAT GUEST JUDGES:

JUNE 2022 CRAFT AWARDS JUDGES_Jabulani Sigege (Small)

Jabulani Sigege is the Executive Creative Director at Machine_. Honing his skills at some of South Africa’s most prolific agencies, Jabulani is a supporter and creator of work that has cultural capital. Work that taps into and reflects the fabric of the culture, the country and society at large. He has helped shape iconic homegrown and international brands. His work has been awarded locally and internationally, including Cannes, One Show and Loeries, among others. His real talent is people watching (but not in a creepy way) to find out what makes us tick and using that to influence behaviour for brands. He’s also passionate about sharing knowledge and helping people become better than he is.

June CRAFT AWARDS JUDGES_Justice Mukheli (small)

Justice Mukheli is a director at Romance and has always found expression in visual art. From his artistic pursuits as a child growing up in Soweto, to making his name as a respected photographer and advertising art director, Justice has now transitioned into a film director to watch. With a bigger canvas to play on, still images have evolved into unique stories that deal with the complexities of life and the people in it. Justice’s work speaks with a soulful elegance carried by honest and evocative visuals. Defining his approach from the point of view of a man who sees great power in sensitivity, Justice approaches projects and subject matter with dignity and heart. He engages his viewers on a personal level that draws from the richness and beauty of his heritage. As a young South African creative, his work seeks to reframe and diversify the narrative of black experience through his own lived experience. Most importantly, he hopes that his growth as a director will inspire and empower new creative voices to follow.