IDIDTHAT Craft Awards Rankings 2024
It’s here; The Official IDIDTHAT Craft Awards Rankings for 2024. Every month IDIDTHAT teams up with leaders in the ad and production industry to award the finest in South African film and production craft. These truly are the best of the best in the industry in Film Production, Post Production, Cinematography, Music & Sound, Animation & Visual Effects in South Africa.











Best in Craft (Editing Craft): April 2024
Strangelove Studios | Xander Vander
Chicken Licken ‘Dave ‘Legs of Thunder’ Mgijimi’
‘Xander builds a comedy sequence that just keeps on increasing in absurdity and hilarity. Two minutes fly by.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justine Puren-Calverley, Director at FirstPencil
Best in Craft (Editing Craft): April 2024
Strangelove Studios | Xander Vander
Chicken Licken ‘Dave ‘Legs of Thunder’ Mgijimi’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Juliet Honey, Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Best in Craft (Grade Craft): April 2024
Strangelove Studios | Nic Apostoli
Chicken Licken ‘Dave ‘Legs of Thunder’ Mgijimi’
‘I was sucked into the story right from the start, meeting our hero and then being rewarded along the way with some excellently dumb jokes (‘finishing the treadmill’ being my personal favourite). The larger-than-life story and proud narration held the commercial together and the messaging was clear. When you don’t stand a chance, give them Chicken Licken. All in all, a feel-good piece, beautifully crafted and I can feel how much fun was had on set and in the edit suite. Editing, grade and music all elevated the craft to make Mr Mgijimi so memorable. Well done to everyone involved.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Juliet Honey, Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Best in Craft (VFX Craft): April 2024
Strangelove Studios | Charmaine Greyling, Zaheer Seedat, Sinister Studio, Christian van der Walt, Gusto Group, Albertus Bodenstein
Chicken Licken ‘Dave ‘Legs of Thunder’ Mgijimi’
‘I was sucked into the story right from the start, meeting our hero and then being rewarded along the way with some excellently dumb jokes (‘finishing the treadmill’ being my personal favourite). The larger-than-life story and proud narration held the commercial together and the messaging was clear. When you don’t stand a chance, give them Chicken Licken. All in all, a feel-good piece, beautifully crafted and I can feel how much fun was had on set and in the edit suite. Editing, grade and music all elevated the craft to make Mr Mgijimi so memorable. Well done to everyone involved.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Juliet Honey, Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Craft Mention (Grade Craft): April 2024
Strangelove Studios | Nic Apostoli
KFC ‘Beyond the Sea’
‘Such a beautiful, interesting and fresh treatment for the comedy genre where we can tend to get a bit stuck in a certain look.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Juliet Honey, Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Craft Mention (Grade Craft): April 2024
Strangelove Studios | Nic Apostoli
KFC ‘Beyond the Sea’
‘Well… Nic was always going to win grade craft this month and, again, choosing between the chickens is impossible, but I went for KFC. The grade creates the feel of a world that is so far from home (and chillie salt). Every frame is gorgeous.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justine Puren-Calverley, Director at FirstPencil
Craft Mention (Editing Craft): April 2024
Strangelove Studios | Julian Redpath
KFC ‘Beyond the Sea’
‘Julian does a great job of revealing the obsession and building the tension throughout this piece.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justine Puren-Calverley, Director at FirstPencil
Craft Mention (VFX Craft): June 2024
Strangelove Studios | Charmaine Greyling, Zaheer Seedat, Darian Simon
Sunbet ‘The Stunted Man’ VFX Breakdown
‘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
Craft Mention (VFX Craft): June 2024
Strangelove Studios | Charmaine Greyling, Zaheer Seedat, Darian Simon
Sunbet ‘The Stunted Man’ VFX Breakdown
‘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): April 2024
Romance | Jabu Nadia Newman
‘Forever Wena’
‘Jabu captured such beautiful and believable relationships/performances in this piece. She takes a script that packs a lot of very specific information and scripted sequences and manages to make it all feel so very natural. It is a feast of diversity (on so many levels) in a way that never feels forced and always fresh.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justine Puren-Calverley, Director at FirstPencil
Best in Craft (Direction): May 2024
Romance Films | Greg Gray
Nedbank ‘Bank Your Time’
‘As craft awards go, this piece is a benchmark of craft. It’s a simple and familiar idea but told differently because of the direction that takes you on a cinematic journey, capturing rich emotional performances of the characters that developed over the passage of time. After having seen this piece before and now looking at it with a critical craft eye it still passes as a standout beautifully executed piece of brand storytelling.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Kabelo Moshapalo, Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy South Africa
Best in Craft (Direction): May 2024
Romance Films | Greg Gray
Nedbank ‘Bank Your Time’
‘It’s not easy to successfully tell a story of a life lived in 3 minutes which is why the choices made in casting, locations, boarding, performance and editing are worthy of recognition. Not only is it successful but quite emotionally poignant. Perhaps from working in the film industry I understand the value of time so it hit quite a chord and this couldn’t have been so effective without the director pulling off a clear vision.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Xander Vander, Editor / Co-Founder at Strangelove
Craft Mention (Direction): June 2024
Romance (In collaboration with Park Pictures & Colors) | Jabu Newman
Moonchild Sanelly ‘Scrambled Eggs’
‘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: Kabelo Moshapalo, Chief Creative Officer Ogilvy Johannesburg
Best in Craft (Direction): August 2024
Romance Films | Justice Mukheli
TikTok ‘Discover Yourself’
‘This film immediately drew me in with its unexpected storyline. I felt deeply connected to the father-daughter relationship, which the director masterfully transformed into something emotionally rich and multi-layered. The performances were moving, and it felt like watching a little movie in just a few minutes. It’s the kind of piece that stays with you long after, showing how everyday moments can become something profound through great direction and storytelling.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Nkgabiseng Motau, CCO at Think Creative Africa
Best in Craft (Direction): August 2024
Romance Films | Justice Mukheli
TikTok ‘Discover Yourself’
‘TikTok’s ‘Daddy Dearest’ commercial is a powerful exploration of the bond between a single father and his teenage daughter. This film brilliantly shows how one app can bridge generational gaps and inspire dreams. The creative choices are spot on, the technical work is equally seamless making this a standout in the current wave of narrative-driven advertising—a script I wish had landed on my desk. It’s no surprise this piece wins Best in Craft this month, proving that storytelling in advertising is thriving.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Ernest Nkosi, Director at Mogul Pictures
Craft Mention (Direction): October 2024
Romance | Greg Gray
Chicken Licken ‘Waste Paper Basket, Claw, Quiz Show’
‘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.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Sibs Zihle, Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa
Best in Craft (Direction): June 2024
Giant Films | Thina Zibi
Hunters ‘Abafostayo Winter’ (Director’s Cut)
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Steph van Niekerk, ECD at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Craft Mention (Direction): June 2024
Giant Films | Thina Zibi
Hunters ‘Abafostayo Winter’ (Director’s Cut)
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Anton Visser, Director at Patriot Films
Craft Mention (Direction): July 2024
Giant Films | Imran Hamdulay
Yoco ‘Bravery Has A Home’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Imraan Christian, Director at Egg Films
Best in Craft (Direction): September 2024
Giant Films | Karien Cherry
VW Tiguan ‘Life’
‘I am in love with how crisp and uncomplicated this piece is. There is a quiet perfection. The use of natural light is exquisite and the contrasting of earthy tones with bursts of colour gives a visual depth that feels intentional and effortless. And then there is the music. Ah! I believe in striving to “perfect every detail. And limit the amount of details to perfect”. This piece did that for me – focused and refined.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Neema Nouse, Integrated CD at The ODD Number
Best in Craft (Direction): September 2024
Giant Films | Karien Cherry
VW Tiguan ‘Life’
‘Firstly let me just say that this was a BUMPER month! Wow guys, what a spectacular show of what’s possible. But even so one piece of work really stood out for me. Tiguan stole the show. It has scale without losing its childlike charm and delight. It holds the balance between epic and enchanting in every shot. A sure sign of a beguiling idea meeting deft direction and perfectly restrained CG to create something really special. Well done to everyone involved.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Dani Hynes, Director at Love Films
Best in Craft (Direction): November 2024
Giant Films | Karien Cherry
Chicken Licken ‘Piki Piki Mabelane’
‘Karien’s natural talent for storytelling comes alive in this performance. With her unique blend of experience, skill, and insight, she delivers a seamless and captivating narrative that feels incredibly relatable. The character she’s crafted is rich with layers and depth, making us feel every emotion—because who hasn’t been there? This is a fresh twist on the classic Chicken Licken humour, and I love it!’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tessa Ford, Owner & Editor at Tessa Ford Post
Best in Craft (Direction & Cinematography): March 2024
7 Films | Hayden Brown
Front Runner ‘Keep Searching’
‘All of us in the film industry shared a collective soul spasm back in Feb when the revelatory Sora showcase dropped — a spectacle of incredibly realistic AI generated shots that made it quite clear that The Machines are most certainly coming. So when a piece like this comes along, it gives hope that The Robots might have a tougher time than first thought when trying to make ads in our stead. Director/cinematographer Hayden Brown follows three generations of surfers through the Transkei in an unpretentious, beautifully executed, and soulfully authentic spot that tugged at my emotions so hard it had my son asking: “Daddy, what are you watching that’s making you sniff like that?” My reply: “Roof racks, m’boy. Roof racks…” Take that, Robots.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Morgan Dingle, Director at Your Girlfriend
Best in Craft (Direction): March 2024
7 Films | Jozua Malherbe
‘STILTE’ (Short Film)
‘Two words. Perfect storytelling. I really loved this piece of work and I watched it more than once, more than twice. So beautiful, so real, it’s magnificent. When it comes to craft, simplicity is always the hardest thing to achieve and here it was done with utmost consideration. It’s an art to not over complicate but rather let the story do the heavy lifting. This was a joy to watch, well done.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tshepo Tumahole, Integrated CD at Joe Public United
Best in Craft (Direction): July 2024
7 Films | Hayden Brown
‘Die Bergbruidjie’ (Short Film)
‘Sometimes the biggest story you can tell is the smallest one. In Die Bergbruidjie, Hayden Brown proves that as an industry our real power lies in people and their stories. This moving short film is a reminder that we don’t need big budgets or bells and whistles to make an impact. Just the sheer beauty of a simple story, well told. More of this, please.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Jeanine Vermaak, Integrated CD at Joe Public United
Craft Mention (Direction): July 2024
7 Films | Lourens van Rensburg
CV ‘The Lake’
‘This film took a turn to a place I couldn’t have imagined it going. It is an incredibly brave story to tell and how beautifully told it is. I’m generally drawn to this particular style – artistic in nature but with an intensity that lingers long after. It’s a bold blend of elegance and raw emotion.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Neema Nouse, Integrated CD at The ODD Number
Craft Mention (Direction): October 2024
7 Films | Jozua Malherbe
OK Foods ‘Love Story’
‘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.‘
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Sibs Zihle, Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa
Craft Mention (Sound – Original Music): October 2024
7 Films | Hunter Kennedy
OK Foods ‘Love Story’
‘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.‘
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Sibs Zihle, Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa
Best in Craft (Direction): January 2024
Darling Films | Chloe Coetsee
MTN ‘Babies’
‘This spot really stood out in terms of craft, from selecting cast and directing of performances to choosing a location and art direction, wardrobe etc. A beautifully crafted piece of work and the director should be incredibly proud.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Alan Irvin, Director at They Films
Craft Mention (Direction): January 2024
Darling Films | Chloe Coetsee
MTN ‘Babies’
‘A fun, feel-good ad that doesn’t take itself too seriously – this was great timeline cleanser when I saw it in my feed recently. It has a distinctive style, builds nicely and really keeps things moving. The director totally captured the fun in the idea. A shout out to the music choice as well. Filing this under bonkers but fun.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Danni Pinch, ECD at Accenture Song
Craft Mention (Direction): May 2024
Darling Films | Slim
Investec ‘Mirrors’ (Director’s Cut)
‘Getting this one right wasn’t easy, as success mainly depended on the proper direction and capturing the right performances to ensure it’s interesting and engaging to watch. Slim managed to accomplish this by adopting a unique approach to FSP storytelling.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Kabelo Moshapalo, Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy South Africa
Craft Mention (Direction): May 2024
Darling Films | Slim
Investec ‘Mirrors’ (Director’s Cut)
‘(Disclosure – I edited this piece) Slim’s ability to have worked this idea, put together the right cast and crew, develop a piece of choreography and pull it off in one great location while making it intriguing and visceral is testament to his understanding of visual storytelling.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Xander Vander, Editor / Co-Founder at Strangelove
Best in Craft (Direction): June 2024
Darling Films | Zee Ntuli
Nedbank Youth X ‘The Class Of ‘76 Youth’ (Director’s Cut)
‘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): September 2024
Darling Films | Slim
Hollard ‘Insure Your Unsure’
‘I enjoy how rich ‘Insure Your Unsure’ is. The striking attention to detail – whether in the set design, wardrobe, or nuanced gestures of the cast. Every scenario fills the screen, an absolute pleasure to watch.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Neema Nouse, Integrated CD at The ODD Number
Craft Mention (Direction): March 2024
Bioscope Films | Fausto Becatti
Casa Madero Wine ‘Since 1597’
‘Nothing makes us happier than when people work hard to please us. Mr. Becatti, ever intrepid, spent countless hours on another continent painstakingly crafting 76 exquisite black-and-white shots and filtering them through an arduous post process to obtain an organic and earthy look that is a visual breath off fresh air in this digitally saturated marketplace. The result: a ninety second abstraction that so perfectly embodies wine it would get even Jesus’ Juices flowing. The spot’s brilliant payoff line is Beautiful Things Don’t Ask for Attention — well you have mine, Fausto. Bravo, sir.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Morgan Dingle, Director at Your Girlfriend
Craft Mention (Direction): March 2024
Bioscope Films | Fausto Becatti
Casa Madero Wine ‘Since 1597’
‘Why is it not longer? The director took us on a journey and it was a beautiful journey alright. A visual feast of note matched with great storytelling. I don’t use the word exquisite a lot, I don’t think anyone should but this work here is exquisite.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tshepo Tumahole, Integrated CD at Joe Public United
Craft Mention (Direction): April 2024
Bioscope Films | Fausto Becatti
KFC ‘Dangerously Distracting’
‘Fausto’s Dangerously Distracting KFC piece also put a smile on my face for its complex simplicity. Or maybe it’s simple complexity. Either way, nicely done.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Juliet Honey, Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Craft Mention (Direction): June 2024
Bioscope Films | Lazola Gola
Savanna Premium Cider ‘Comics Do It Better’
‘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
Best in Craft (Direction): October 2024
Bioscope Films | Jessie Zinn
Sonnenglas Brand Film
‘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.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Sibs Zihle, Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa
Craft Mention (Direction): October 2024
Bioscope Films | Jessie Zinn
Sonnenglas Brand Film
‘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.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Monde Gumede, Director at SHIBOBO!
Craft Mention (Direction): March 2024
Carbon Films | Porteus Xandau
Land Rover ‘Legacy in Dust’
‘You wouldn’t be wrong to assume that all car commercials are the same but it in this case you would. It’s revealed in the first 10 seconds what the ad is about but you still want to watch it until the end. The director managed to give such a great personality to the car. A gentle tale about an off road vehicle? It takes a special director.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tshepo Tumahole, Integrated CD at Joe Public United
Best in Craft (Direction & Editing Craft): December 2024
Carbon Films | Bruno Bossi
Carbon Films | Julian Redpath
KFC ‘Cake’
‘From the opening scene until the end logo, I was grinning from ear to ear. How refreshing to see a commercial this irreverent and playful, in this day and age. I can only admire and appreciate every choice made by Bruno Bossi to make this piece so memorable and fun. The cast and performances are great (and even more impressive considering the challenges of directing talent in a foreign language). The combination of in camera practical effects and VFX work together seamlessly as does the sound design and score which elevates both the tension and humour of this piece. A shout-out to the editor Julian Redpath for the pace and timing of each cut that makes this two and a half minute commercial not feel long and laborious to watch, but rather leaves you wanting more. I’m sure there will be much talk and discussion this year about an international commercial being done by a South African agency, but hopefully this can be an inspiration to some of our local clients and a reminder to ourselves, that when you let South African creatives play. Magic can happen. Silly magic. But magic.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Shane Forbes, Executive Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Best in Craft (Direction & Editing Craft): December 2024
Carbon Films | Bruno Bossi
Carbon Films | Julian Redpath
KFC ‘Cake’
‘Cake by Bruno Bossi is hands down my favourite. It’s such a simple idea, but it’s done so beautifully. Everything about it feels effortless and clear, and that’s what makes it so strong for me. Even with all the VFX, it doesn’t feel over-the-top or tricksy. It’s done so well that it just fits and nothing feels out of place or like it’s trying too hard. The world Bruno and his team created is amazing. The characters feel so real, even though their world is heightened. Watching it, I felt like I was right there with them, caught up in everything that was happening. It’s stylised, but in such a subtle way. It never feels like it’s trying too hard, and that’s what makes me love it. This is the kind of work that makes me wish “I did that.”’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justice Mukheli, Director at Romance Films
Craft Mention (Direction): February 2024
Plank Films | Peter Pohorsky
Builders Warehouse ‘The Stand’
‘This one put a smile across my face. Taking inspiration from Mel Gibson’s speech in ‘Braveheart’, Pete Pohorsky has successfully managed to turn a bunch of DIY cowards into motivated and inspired can-do home fixers. You can see that the direction has really been considered and thoughtfully told. It’s an idea that without the right director could easily have not worked. But in this case – Pete nailed it. The lead actor driving a mini-tractor and gloves (from Builders) is a great touch. The sound of its engine is also really funny. The delivery of the speech makes you really feel like you CAN-DO it. I also enjoyed the interjection of the comment “Saturday!” and cut away characters which helps the arc of the storytelling and keeps you engaged. The direction of this piece is definitely making a stand against ugly.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Roanna Williams, CCO & Co-Founder at Boundless
Best in Craft (Direction): April 2024
Plank Films | Peter Pohorsky
Chicken Licken ‘Dave ‘Legs of Thunder’ Mgijimi’
‘I was sucked into the story right from the start, meeting our hero and then being rewarded along the way with some excellently dumb jokes (‘finishing the treadmill’ being my personal favourite). The larger-than-life story and proud narration held the commercial together and the messaging was clear. When you don’t stand a chance, give them Chicken Licken. All in all, a feel-good piece, beautifully crafted and I can feel how much fun was had on set and in the edit suite. Editing, grade and music all elevated the craft to make Mr Mgijimi so memorable. Well done to everyone involved.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Juliet Honey, Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Best in Craft (Direction): April 2024
Plank Films | Peter Pohorsky
Chicken Licken ‘Dave ‘Legs of Thunder’ Mgijimi’
‘I have always loved Peter’s work; his approach to comedy shines through in this hilariously absurd piece. You can feel the amount of brainstorming that went into these scenes. Every shot and every detail is geared towards strengthening the joke.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justine Puren-Calverley, Director at FirstPencil
Craft Mention (Sound Design): July 2024
Pressure Cooker Studios | Alex Smillie
Castle Double Malt ‘A beer brewed to be #ExtraSmooth’
‘A double Craft Mention for a Double Malt felt appropriate. In this case, for Editing from Evy Katz and for Sound Design by Alex Smillie. The editing is at the perfect pace for this storytelling spot, and keeps that story going in a natural, humorous rhythm. The sound design is subtle and on point, and builds beautifully towards the end. Both disciplines add a lot to this well-brewed piece.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Jeanine Vermaak, Integrated CD at Joe Public United
Best in Craft (Original Music Craft): April 2024
Pressure Cooker Studios
Chicken Licken ‘Dave ‘Legs of Thunder’ Mgijimi’
‘I was sucked into the story right from the start, meeting our hero and then being rewarded along the way with some excellently dumb jokes (‘finishing the treadmill’ being my personal favourite). The larger-than-life story and proud narration held the commercial together and the messaging was clear. When you don’t stand a chance, give them Chicken Licken. All in all, a feel-good piece, beautifully crafted and I can feel how much fun was had on set and in the edit suite. Editing, grade and music all elevated the craft to make Mr Mgijimi so memorable. Well done to everyone involved.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Juliet Honey, Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Best in Craft (Original Music Craft): April 2024
Pressure Cooker Studios
Chicken Licken ‘Dave ‘Legs of Thunder’ Mgijimi’
‘The old-school feel of this track works a treat and has so much comedy already built into it. So unexpected. So funny.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justine Puren-Calverley, Director at FirstPencil
Craft Mention (Writing): May 2024
Patriot Films | Ari Kruger
Takealot ‘Thanksalot’
‘Really well written spot. Made me have a little lol and left me with a smile and a bit of SA pride. If I could award production design and art direction too I would, pity they didn’t enter.’
– Xander Vander, Editor / Co-Founder at Strangelove
Best in Craft (Direction): November 2024
Patriot Films | Anton Visser
SDPF3 ‘The Heist’
‘From the moment the letterboxing retreated revealing the cityscape, I was transfixed. While the meticulous craft and detail in every aspect of this piece was impeccable, it was the direction that fused all the elements together that made this piece truly special and why I feel this is the craft winner for November. When the craft is of such a high level, it becomes almost invisible, leaving one just totally immersed in the story. This piece truly honours the Bank Heist genre, with every shot, every character and every lighting set up so carefully considered, resulting in a blockbuster feel that could sit comfortably in a Christopher Nolan piece like Dark Knight Rises.‘
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Peter Little, Chief Creative Officer at Publicis Groupe Africa
Craft Mention (Direction): November 2024
Patriot Films | Sam Coleman
Red Bull ‘Bringing Formula 1 Back to South Africa’
‘Red Bull deserves a special mention for its brilliant direction and sharp editing. It’s packed with nuanced comedic moments, elevated by a great sound design and a well-crafted edit. It brings an exciting and vibrant possibility to life for South Africa. Well done to Sam Coleman for putting such a big VFX board together with editor Andrew Kirkby – a fantastic team-up!’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Tessa Ford, Owner & Editor at Tessa Ford Post
Craft Mention (Direction): December 2024
Toyota ‘It’s not just a Bakkie’
Patriot Films | Anton Visser
‘I absolutely love the story and how it’s told. It’s simple, heartfelt, and so beautifully crafted. Watching the grandfather’s journey to make the little Hilux is such a joy, it’s a small, personal mission, but it carries so much meaning. The way the story unfolds is seamless, and every moment feels intentional. Anton tells this story with so much care and attention to detail that it leaves a lasting impression. Simple, genuine storytelling like this always stands out to me.’
– IDIDTHAT Guest Judge: Justice Mukheli, Director at Romance Films
IDIDTHAT Guest Judges 2024
Thank you to all these judges for awarding the best in South African Production Craft for 2024! Just look at these headshots – judges today, runway models tomorrow!

January 2024 Craft Awards – View
Danni Pinch, ECD at Accenture Song
Alan Irvin, Director at They Films
February 2024 Craft Awards – View
Roanna Williams, CCO & Co-Founder at Boundless
Kim Geldenhuys, Director at 0307 Films
March 2024 Craft Awards – View
Tsepho Tumahole, Integrated CD at Joe Public United
Morgan Dingle, Director at Your Girlfriend
April 2024 Craft Awards – View
Juliet Honey, Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Justine Puren-Calverley, Director at FirstPencil
May 2024 Craft Awards – View
Kabelo Moshapalo, Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy South Africa
Xander Vander, Editor and Partner at Strangelove Studios
June 2024 Craft Awards – View
Steph van Niekerk, ECD at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Anton Visser, Director at Patriot Films
July 2024 Craft Awards – View
Jeanine Vermaak, Integrated CD at Joe Public United
Imraan Christian, Director at Egg Films
August 2024 Craft Awards – View
Nkgabiseng Motau, CCO at Think Creative Africa
Ernest Nkosi, Director at Mogul Pictures
September 2024 Craft Awards – View
Neema Nouse, Integrated CD at The ODD Number
Dani Hynes, Director at Love Films
October 2024 Craft Awards – View
Sibs Zihle, Creative Director at Ogilvy South Africa
Monde Gumede, Director at SHIBOBO!
November 2024 Craft Awards – View
Peter Little, Chief Creative Officer at Publicis Groupe Africa
Tessa Ford, Owner & Editor at Tessa Ford Post
December 2024 Craft Awards – View
Shane Forbes, Executive Creative Director at TBWA Hunt Lascaris
Justice Mukheli, Director at Romance Films
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