Sonnenglas Brand Film
Bioscope Films | Jessie Zinn

BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Awarded by Sibs Zihle

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Awarded by Monde Gumede

Judge’s comment: ‘This just comes together like a craft masterpiece. It gave me all the feels. Jessie beautifully captures the essence of Sonnenglas through evocative storytelling and stunning visuals. Her direction is meticulous, seamlessly blending natural light and intimate close-ups to convey warmth and authenticity. The pacing and composition draw me in and make me want to keep watching this serene, hopeful world the film portrays.’ – Sibs Zihle, Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa

Judge’s comment: ‘Jessie has this unreal ability to take everyday moments and turn them into entire worlds. It’s no easy feat to make a montage-driven film feel so rooted in character, but she nails it by finding this golden thread of humanity that neither leans on dialogue or cliche to make its mark. There’s something here that’s working on an almost spiritual level. You see it in her documentary work, and it’s all over this project too. On craft, the sound design is both grand and intimate, and her images are really stunning. In a time when everyone’s going for fake film flashes, glitchy fast-paced edits and euphoria lighting, Jessie’s frames feel refreshingly restrained and intentional. Hats off to the team for creating something so thoughtful and beautifully crafted.‘ – Monde Gumede, Director at SHIBOBO!

BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Internet Girl ft. Maglera Doe Boy ‘Pull Up’ Music Video
Royd Ringdahl

Awarded by Monde Gumede

Judge’s comment: ‘Oh. My. God. Royd’s video is a total gut punch. Lights out. Easily my favourite thing out of home in ages. Internet girl & Maglera are so obviously in the hands of someone who knows how to draw spell binding performances from them turning every moment into a payoff. There’s so much I could praise about the technical feat of this video. Somehow, the film is both wildly maximalist and completely efficient – every frame, every flicker is obsessed over and loved deeply. This kind of high-risk, high-reward gamble rarely lands, but here, it absolutely does. Beyond that, what really gets me is what this video represents. Royd stands with people like Bongie, Shala, Larnelle, Georgeous, Wandile, Taun, Lindo, Vahid, Christian, Chelsea, and others who are shaping the next evolution of this industry we all love. There’s a raw inventiveness, a sincerity, an (honestly) uncompetitive spirit among them that makes their work stronger, each brave enough to lean on each-other to fuel a grander vision. I haven’t felt this inspired since Adriaan and Allison did I Can’t Believe It with Ricky. This is that spark. Can’t wait to see what comes next.’ – Monde Gumede, Director at SHIBOBO!

OK Foods ‘Love Story’
CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
7 Films | Jozua Malherbe

CRAFT MENTION (SOUND – ORIGINAL MUSIC)
7 Films | Hunter Kennedy

Awarded by Sibs Zihle

Judge’s comment on direction: ‘This ad reinvents the vignette format by crafting a heartfelt narrative that resonates with the universal themes of love and community. This ad stands out by showcasing how even familiar stories can feel fresh and deeply engaging when executed with authenticity and emotional depth.‘

Judge’s comment on sound: ‘In a story that’s telling a nostalgic, sentimental message, they really nailed that feeling with the music. The track here is not just a backdrop; it is an integral part of the storytelling, encapsulating the themes of love, connection, and community.‘

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Chicken Licken ‘Waste Paper Basket, Claw, Quiz Show’
Romance Films | Greg Gray

Awarded by Sibs Zihle

Judge’s comment: ‘Everything about this campaign is about the little things, all adding up to a beautifully crafted piece. The idea is so nice and simple and the craft, from the performances, to the editing and the choice of music, all works together nicely to serve the idea and elevate the humour.‘

CRAFT MENTION (ONLINE – VFX CRAFT)
VW Tiguan ‘Life’
Chocolate Tribe | Tracy-Lee Portnoi

Awarded by Monde Gumede

Judge’s comment: ‘Chocolate Tribe’s attention to detail is no surprise, they’re a company built on obsessive craft. But Tracy-Lee’s work on Karien’s film shows a side of them I’ve never seen before. Usually, directors bring them in for blockbuster-scale VFX, dazzling and massive, but here, Tracy-Lee brings a softness, an almost illustrated, childlike quality that’s just beautiful. There also seems to be a great, very subtle marriage between the practical world and the VFX that points to a really cohesive relationship between Director, DP & VFX sup. It’s an elegant, refreshing approach that puts story first, and channels her skill toward that end. She and the team at Chocolate Tribe are imagineers first, technicians second, and they’ve hit it out of the park again.’