BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Nedbank ‘Money Relationships’
Darling Films | Zee Ntuli

Awarded by Nomfundo Myeni

Judge’s comment on DIRECTION:

“This is not an ad. No. It’s a mirror. An invitation that digs deep and tells an uncomfortable story about money through Zee Ntuli’s eye. Each scene teases you with theatre of the mind – making you yearn for a series you want to binge overnight. The cinema, the grade, the lighting – the way the lens gives you a visceral feeling. How the music is a character, not just a filler. The cast, the performance; the way body language is used more than the words themselves. The economic relevance locally & globally. I love how the title at the end prompts discourse through a question. Not a statement. So, naturally, I watched it again and again and again. I’m jealous, but in a good way.”

– Nomfundo Myeni, Creative Director at We Are Bizarre

BEST IN CRAFT (DIRECTION)
Nedbank ‘Money Relationships’
Darling Films | Zee Ntuli

Awarded by Lourens Van Rensburg

Judge’s comment on DIRECTION:

“For me as a director, filmmaker and a storyteller, it’s so encouraging to see such an amazing young crop of really talented storytellers and filmmakers coming into their own and excelling in their craft. As, I believe, Zee is at the top of his game, and it’s beautiful to watch a young master in full flight.

The piece is beautiful and inspired especially within the decisions made on how to tell the story. Upfront we feel like the lead is calling the shots but later we realise this second character ‘the money’ is actually calling the shots.

Instead of just showing how irresponsibility can be your downfall. Zee made money a character and treated it like an evil angel on the lead’s shoulder whispering and slowly changing the decisions he made. And that’s the internal monologue a lot of people have in reality.

For me, direction is all about choices, and sometimes it’s not about what we choose to put in, but what we choose to leave out. That is the difference between a good piece and a great piece. And in this case, one can sense that the director’s choices of what was left out and what was left to the audience’s imagination, in the subtlety in which all the choices were handled. And some of the obvious choices made was superb visual storytelling in the choice of cinematographers, the choice of editor, the choice of music and sound design, casting, wardrobe, art direction, production design. All those were handled with such sensitivity and such consideration; and crafted together beautifully to make this really special.

Less is more, and there is a lot of that, which made my job as a judge easy. So well done, young man. Can’t wait to see what you do next. Great work.”

– Lourens Van Rensburg, Director at 7 Films

CRAFT MENTION (DIRECTION)
Sanlam ‘Boland Rugby’
Triple Story Content | Thina Zibi

Awarded by Nomfundo Myeni

Judge’s comment on DIRECTION:

“You know when a film leaves you with a smile? That’s what Thina Zibi did here. This is a story I’ve been yearning to see in our South African commercial space. A story about the coloured community that showcases their spirit, their joy, their love for family – blood or no blood. How they carry each other. Their pride. Their shared sense of humour. I love that this film didn’t try to do a diversity job, but it celebrated a group of people in their culture, in their language and in their raw form – but still giving it a cinematic, doccie-style texture that makes you feel like you’re in the neighbourhood through breaking the 4th wall. Each performance feels familiar and relatable. Watching this felt like a warm hug.”

– Nomfundo Myeni, Creative Director at We Are Bizarre

CRAFT MENTION (MUSIC SUPERVISION CRAFT)
Discovery Health ‘The Fixer’
Algranti Music | Marc Algranti

Awarded by Lourens van Rensburg

Judge’s comment on MUSIC SUPERVISION CRAFT:

“A special mention goes to Marc Algranti. The right choice of music, in this case, was so crucial to bring the sensitivity and emotive cues that this film needed. And I think Marc excelled in that, not only in the choice, but in the composition and the arrangement, done absolutely beautifully. It isn’t just the emotional journey the song takes us on that makes this piece special, but also how the lyrics add to the sense of hope that visuals bring. Lyrics like ‘uzo’phila’ meaning ‘you will live’ make you want to root for the characters more. As a viewer you want to encourage them and give them hope as well.

It’s always a great testament of the power of what music brings to the table when one watches the film without it and then with. Great work, well done, Marc.”

– Lourens Van Rensburg, Director at 7 Films