Simoné Bobo’s directorial debut wins in support of female Springbok rugby
Executive Producer and Founder of Osu Creative Productions, Simoné Bobo, has made her directing debut. ‘Play with Power’ is a short film created in support of the female Springbok rugby team, written by Simoné and performed by the Parktown Girls rugby team. The film has been awarded the BEST Audio Visual Content Short Film at this year’s Hollard Sports Industry Awards (that’s like the Loeries for the sports world ya’ll). Not many people get to launch their directing careers with awarded work, but this is Simoné Bobo, and honestly, we would expect nothing less.
Ahead of the opening match of the Women’s Rugby World Cup that took place in October this year, Simoné wanted to find a way to show support and at the very least create awareness of the talented female athletes representing our country. The result is ‘Play with Power’ which delivers a heartfelt message of encouragement. The film was directed by Simoné, produced by Osu Creative, performed by the Parktown Girls’ high school rugby team, with concept by Ona & Grace (the new female-led Creative Sports Agency that represents female athletes, founded by Simoné with her husband, Rugby Legend, Gcobani Bobo – more on that in the new year!).
Ona & Grace presents ‘Play with Power’
The Hollard Sports Industry Awards are South Africa’s most prestigious awards ceremony for sport and business, these awards acknowledge the leaders and trailblazers within the business of sport.
‘This piece is special to me as it saw me opening my other creative self as a film director and writer of true stories. But also a champion of women’s stories and someone who so admires the female athletes representing our country, I felt great pride creating this. It’s been an incredible year and my heart is filled with gratitude as I reflect on my journey in business leading up to this.’ Says Simoné.
As an ex Rugby player, Gcobani Bobo understands the pressures leading up to a big game, let alone playing the opening match of the World Cup. ‘Support goes a long way for a player, to have the encouragement from your country does a lot on how you play. We were in contact with a few of the female players leading up to the opening match and we could feel the anxious energy with the daunting task of playing against a team that was ranked fourth in the world. We felt a need to create a video that would not only encourage the ladies but also let them know that we see them.‘
The self-funded film aired on Supersport and ENCA and also received an overwhelming response from SARU, Rugby World Cup and even got shared on Siya Kholisi’s social pages #FanGirling. And then, out of 250 entries, only 12 winners were announced at the Hollard Sports Industry Awards, with Simoné being one of them.
Onstage at the Sports Industry Awards 2022 accepting the award for Best Audio Visual Content Short Film, from L to R: David Sidenberg, Simoné Bobo, Hlogi Masipa, Gcobani Bobo
Look, we’ve been fans of Simoné since day 1. Her career is expansive and impressive; from being a Senior TV Producer at leading ad agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi Cape Town, MetroplitanRepublic and Ogilvy Joburg, to producing award-winning commercials, launching Osu Creative Production and sitting on the judging jury of award shows such as Loeries and Ciclope and D&AD, to now a recognised director.
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Simoné Bobo’s directorial debut wins in support of female Springbok rugby
Executive Producer and Founder of Osu Creative Productions, Simoné Bobo, has made her directing debut. ‘Play with Power’ is a short film created in support of the female Springbok rugby team. The film has been awarded the BEST Audio Visual Content Short Film at this year’s Hollard Sports Industry Awards (that’s like the Loeries for the sports world ya’ll). Not many people get to launch their directing careers with awarded work, but this is Simoné Bobo, and honestly, we would expect nothing less.
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