BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION & CINEMATOGRAPHY CRAFT)
KFC ‘Clever Box’

Director: Thina Zibi | Triple Story Content
Cinematographer: Josh Levi
*Entered by Triple Story Content on behalf of Josh Levi

Awarded by Verona Meyer

Judge’s comment: ‘This ad is so fresh for the category. The restraint shown in the treatment amplifies the concept of being thoughtful, considered and boxing clever. It’s a welcome change from traditional fast-food commercials that are loud, overly energetic and sell hard. Everything from the casting and cinematography to the music and narration had a touch of refinement you just don’t expect from retail ads. Lovely work, Thina.’ – Verona Meyer, Executive Creative Director at M&C Saatchi Abel

Savanna ”Dumbell’, ‘Demure’ and ‘5am” (Director’s Cut)
Darling Films | Thea Small

BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Awarded by Mzonke Maloney

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Awarded by Verona Meyer

Judge’s comment: ‘I really Love Thea’s Savanna pieces. They feel concise, with simple but clear insights. It’s a great example of how effective quintessential ad work like this can be. They’re not talking to everyone at the same time, the focus is laser sharp. The casting and performance are wonderful, the characters are immediately recognisable, and each scenario unnervingly familiar. The comedy is subtle and sophisticated and they do well to avoid the stereotypically high pitched, fast talking comedy voice trope that seems unfortunately endemic to South African ads. Each word here feels like it lands exactly where it ought to, aligning carefully with the piece’s elegant camera work. This series of ads make the product the point even in its absence, showing up at the very end but never feeling like it’s missing. Thea has her hand on the dial all the way through, tuning everything to perfection.‘ – Mzonke Maloney, Director at Carbon Films

Judge’s comment: ‘I thought this campaign deserved a mention because it’s so refreshing in its simplicity. There’s nowhere for a director to hide with a script like this – everything hinges on the performance, and I think Thea did a great job of delivering really charming characters and smiles all round.‘ – Verona Meyer, Executive Creative Director at M&C Saatchi Abel

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Four Seasons ‘Hong Kong’
Bioscope Films | Jessie Zinn

Awarded by Mzonke Maloney

Judge’s comment: ‘Jessie Zinn’s Four Seasons Hong Kong piece does exactly what a travel piece should do. It’s full of style, beauty and movement. It’s aesthetically enticing with the rich colours and beautiful lensing. For everything it accomplishes in style and look, it also accomplishes, in equal measure, in its level of filmmaking prowess. It lets you know, off the bat, that someone with real technical and story sensibilities is in charge. Beautifully orchestrated work, finding subtle ways to create scale while centring characters and micro narratives that stitch together throughout the piece to tell a much bigger story about the culture, food and spirit of Hong Kong.’