South Africa: SPIER films shines with 15 SAFTA nominations

Published on: Thursday, March 6th 2014

“OF GOOD REPORT” nominated for 12 SAFTAS including Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Actress and Best Actor; “KHUMBA” nominated for Best Animation and “CHARLES & JESSICA” up for Best Director of a Wildlife Programme.

South African feature film production company Spier Films has been cleaning up Awards at festivals around the globe over the past year, most of them thanks to the celebrated African Noir thriller OF GOOD REPORT which has put director Jahmil XT Qubeka firmly on the world stage.

At last night’s announcement of the SAFTA nominations OF GOOD REPORT dominated the feature film category whilst animated feature KHUMBA, executive produced by Spier Films with Triggerfish Animation Studios, is up for Best Animation and Best Music Composition in a Feature Film for Bruce Retief. Spier Films projects have been nominated in a total of 15 categories.

“Wow, 12 SAFTA nominations! Didn’t see that one coming,” Qubeka stated in response to the news. “Thank you to the entire SAFTA adjudicating committees for the support and votes of confidence. These judges are all made up of people within the industry. That makes it all the more special when recognition comes from one’s peers. On behalf of the entire OGR team, we salute you all!”

Spier Films also produces and represents documentary projects including CHIMP RESCUE: CHARLES & JESSICA whose Anton Truesdale is nominated for Best Director of a Wildlife Programme.

“We are extremely proud of Jahmil and the excellent team behind OF GOOD REPORT,” stated Spier Films producer Michael Auret. “KHUMBA also deserves this recognition as one of the first South African feature length animations released in English, Afrikaans and Zulu. Both these films have been around the world and have gained international recognition, but it’s here at home where we really want them to be celebrated. We hope this will help South African audiences recognise that we have some amazing local filmmakers who can really stand up there and compete with Hollywood.”

In the Best Feature Film Category OF GOOD REPORT is up against LONG WALK TO FREEDOM and SLEEPER’S WAKE.

OF GOOD REPORT Nominations:

  • Spier Films – Best Feature Film
  • Jahmil XT Qubeka – Best Director of a Feature Film
  • Jahmil XT Qubeka – Best Writing Team of a Feature Film
  • Che Amaru Tunstead + Cobus Rossouw – Best Editor in a Feature Film
  • Jonathan Kovel – Best DOP/Cinematographer of a Feature Film
  • Jerry Manganyi – Best Production Design
  • Best Sound Designer of a Feature Film
  • Ian Swann – Best Make Up/Hair of a Feature Film
  • Petronella Tshuma – Best Actress in a Feature Film
  • Mothusi Magano – Best Actor in a Feature Film
  • Tina Jaxa – Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film
  • Tshamano Sebe Vuyani – Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film

KHUMBA Nominations:

  • Bruce Retief – Best Music Composition in a Feature Film
  • Triggerfish Animation Studios – Best Animation

CHIMP RESCUE CHARLES & JESSICA Nomination:

  • Anton Truesdale – Charles & Jessica: A Chimp Tale

The SAFTA nominations are only the latest in a string of honours for this Xhosa-language South African film OF GOOD REPORT which was also invited to screen at:

  • Durban International Film Festival 2013
  • Toronto International Film Festival 2013
  • London Film Festival 2013 (In Competition)
  • Silicon Valley African Film Festival 2013
  • Chicago International Film Festival 2013
  • Dubai International Film Festival 2013
  • AFI Festival 2013
  • Film Africa London 2013 (Opening Film)
  • Africa in Motion Edinburgh 2013
  • African International Film Festival (In Competition, Winner: Best Film)
  • Golden Horse Film Festival 2013
  • Kolkata International Film Festival 2013
  • Stockholm International Film Festival 2013
  • Aubagne International Film Festival 2013
  • AfricaVenir Namibia 2013
  • African Diaspora International Film Festival 2013
  • Goteborg International Film Festival 2014
  • Rotterdam International Film Festival 2014
  • Pan African Film Festival LA 2014 (Opening Film, Winner: Best Feature Film)
  • AfricaVenir Germany 2014

 

Full List of SAFTA nominations: https://www.facebook.com/notes/south-african-film-television-awards-saftas/south-african-film-and-television-awards-nominations-2014/670183623028180

Spier Films website: www.spierfilms.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/spierfilms

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SpierFilms (@SpierFilms) #SAFTAS2014

 

Of Good Report IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2736074

Of Good Report Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/OfGoodReportSA

Of Good Report Twitter: http://twitter.com/OfGoodReportOGR (@OfGoodReportOGR)

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