Best in Craft awarded to Thina Zibi from Giant Films and Zee Ntuli from Darling Films

This month’s IDIDTHAT.co Craft Awards were judged by the illustrious judgy-McJudgersons Steph van Niekerk, ECD at TBWA Hunt Lascaris and Anton Visser, Director at Patriot Films. A standing ovation goes to Thina Zibi from Giant Films and Zee Ntuli from Darling Films for taking home Best in Craft for June.

‘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.

Hunters ‘Abafostayo Winter’ (Director’s Cut)
Giant Films | Thina Zibi

BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Awarded by Steph van Niekerk

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Awarded by Anton Visser

‘It’s been wonderful to watch Thina’s growth as a director over the years and I think her latest spot for Hunter’s is worthy to be called ‘Best in Craft’. The casting and performances are excellent – smart, considered and never veering off into slap stick although it would have been quite easy to do so. Loved the ridiculous comedic touches (like the crying goldfish) which help land the comic beats. But what makes it my pick is that in essence this is a promo ad, but so much love went into it that it feels like much more.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Steph van Niekerk, ECD at TBWA Hunt Lascaris

‘I have a soft spot for this kind of comedy! I love the universe of the spot, the writing, the characters, performance, editing, production design and all the small little touches. But that stuff only hangs together when you have a clear vision. Well done to Thina – she has a strong, clear comedy voice.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Anton Visser, Director at Patriot Films

BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)

Nedbank Youth X ‘The Class Of ‘76 Youth’ (Director’s Cut)
Darling | Zee Ntuli

Awarded by Anton Visser

‘This piece stopped me cold. There’s a lot to admire in the cinematography, production design and performances, but it’s the storytelling that makes it special. The way those awful images from the past worm their way into the present is startling and so well thought-out. It’s very powerful work by Zee. I wanted to see what it was for but the website doesn’t seem to be up and running? Hopefully we can get more information about this initiative.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Anton Visser, Director at Patriot Films

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)

Moonchild Sanelly ‘Scrambled Eggs’
Romance (In collaboration with Park Pictures & Colors) | Jabu Newman

Awarded by Steph van Niekerk

‘Now I know why there was an egg shortage in SA! Jabu doesn’t pull the punches with this one. She keeps up the breathless pace with clever camera work and choreography and the styling and art direction gives this piece a corner-store edginess that encapsulates South African energy, culture and humour.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Awarded by Steph van Niekerk at TBWA Hunt Lascaris

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)

Sunbet ‘The Stunted Man’
They | Grant de Sousa

Awarded by Steph van Niekerk

CRAFT MENTION (VFX)

Sunbet ‘The Stunted Man’ VFX Breakdown
Strangelove Studios | Charmaine Greyling, Zaheer Seedat, Darian Simon

Awarded by Steph van Niekerk and Anton Visser

‘We’ve had a few Hollywood-inspired epics in the last couple of years but I have to commend the scale of this piece and the amount of detail and work that went into it. I can imagine that you guys were definitely ‘not bored’ for several months. Well done.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Steph van Niekerk, ECD at TBWA Hunt Lascaris

‘We have to believe that the hero in this piece is a stuntman in all these blockbuster films, so every scene has to have a blockbuster feeling to it. The team at Strangelove pull this off seamlessly and add that big scale and polish to the story. The water effects were particularly impressive.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Anton Visser, Director at Patriot Films

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)

Savanna Premium Cider ‘Comics Do It Better’
Bioscope Films | Lazola Gola

Awarded by Steph van Niekerk

‘Well done, Laz, you made me cringe! He perfectly captures the painful awkwardness of butchering a joke. The timing’s all wrong, the punchline is mangled, the protagonist is the only one laughing. You got it all wrong, which is so right in this case.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Steph van Niekerk, ECD at TBWA Hunt Lascaris

IDIDTHAT GUEST JUDGES:

CRAFT AWARDS JUDGE_Steph Van Niekerk_June_2024_Results

Steph van Niekerk, ECD at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Steph has been honing her skills at some of South Africa’s most iconic agencies for over 20 years. She has won every local and international award several times and her highlights include a Gold Pencil for TV at the One Show, a Gold Lion for Film, a Gold Campaign Lion for Radio and the first ever film Grand Prix for a branded content series at the Loeries in 2018. She is passionate about making integrated, insight-driven work that moves people and explores the human condition in all its beauty, imperfection, fragility and hilarity. She is currently Executive Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris.

CRAFT AWARDS JUDGE_Anton_Visser_June_2024_Results

Anton Visser, Director at Patriot Films
Anton is one of South Africa’s leading comedy and performance directors. He started life as a copywriter before stepping behind the camera and has garnered numerous awards and accolades since then. He runs Patriot Films with producing partners Zayd Halim and Deenan Naidoo.