And the winners of the kykNET Silwerskerm Awards for Film and TV are …
While rugby fever gripped the DHL Stadium on Saturday 23 August, the spotlight at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) shone brightly on the South African television and film industry.
At the glamorous kykNET Silwerskerm Awards for Film and TV, the coveted Silwerskerm trophies were awarded to actors, TV presenters and filmmakers.
Recognition was also given to legends of the entertainment world. Earlier in the day, at The Bay Hotel, home of the Silwerskermfees, various other awards focusing on this year’s festival films were presented.
Leon Schuster, who has left an indelible mark on the film industry for four decades, and the versatile Vinette Ebrahim, who has become a household name as a soap actress, were honoured by kykNET for their lifetime contributions. Marida Swanepoel, a founding member of kykNET, was also honoured for her lifetime contribution.
“The recognition given to extraordinary work at the awards is never the reason why this content is created in the first place – it is made to captivate audiences,” says Waldimar Pelser, M-Net Channel Director: Premium Channels.
“But how wonderful to be able to say thank you – and congratulations! – to everyone who achieved something remarkable in the past year. The judging panels spend days and weeks imagining themselves sitting on the couch with our viewers, but they also look for what raises standards, what is technically outstanding, what pushes boundaries. With this they are saying: ‘We see what you are doing, and we celebrate it!’ ”
Waldimar adds that a healthy kykNET will continue to tell stories in Afrikaans for many, many years to come. “And kykNET can only stay healthy if producers help us discern what audiences are looking for and bring work in which viewers will want to immerse themselves.
“There is a bright future for anyone who partners with us in solving this delightful mystery: What goes on in the hearts and minds of viewers? What really matters? What will keep our people coming back for more? We don’t have all the answers, and that is why the most inventive storytellers are of such priceless value to us.”
According to Waldimar, several new trends emerged in this year’s films. “The psychological horror Hen pushes boundaries in technique, genre and approach – we can’t wait to see the audiences’ reaction,” he says.
“While the feathers fly in Hen, the clothes come off in Showmax’s Khaki Fever. With Khaki Fever it is exciting to see how streaming services are reimagining the boundaries of Afrikaans entertainment.”
He also sees a continued drive to experiment in these titles. “It is important to retain an appetite for risk as we all make plans to draw audiences back to theatres. Because the greatest sin content creators can commit, is to bore their audiences.”
Waldimar also announced at the awards that a documentary series on Leon Schuster will premiere on kykNET on 1 October, while many of his films will air on M-Net from September.
The kykNET Silwerskerm Awards for Film and TV will be broadcast on Sunday 24 August at 19:00 on kykNET (DStv channel 144).
THE WINNERS IN THE TELEVISION CATEGORIES:
Best Lead in a Comedy
Bianca Flanders – Mince jou hare (S1)
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Tobie Cronjé – Pronk Primêr (S1)
Best Actor in a Drama
Frank Opperman – Nêrens, Noord-Kaap (S2)
Best Actress in a Drama
Ilse Klink – Nêrens, Noord-Kaap (S2)
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama
Geon Nel – Nêrens, Noord-Kaap (S2)
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama
Daneel van der Walt – Nêrens, Noord-Kaap (S2)
Best Actor in a Telenovela or Soap
Justin Strydom – Diepe waters (S3)
Best Actress in a Telenovela or Soap
Nadia Valvekens – Diepe waters (S3)
Best Supporting Actor in a Telenovela or Soap
Therese Bam – Wyfie (S2)
Best Newcomer in a Telenovela or Soap
Mila de Villiers – Reënboogrant (S1)
Best Entertainment Show Presenter
Emo Adams – Oppi noot
Best Lifestyle Show Presenter (including talk and magazine shows)
Hannon Bothma – Glam Guru
Best Current Affairs or Talk Show Presenter
Lourensa Eckard – In gesprek (S9)
Best Reality Show Presenters
Bertus Basson & Kobus Botha – Kokkedoor: Vuur & vlam
Best Ensemble Presenting Team
Breyton Paulse, Hamilton Wessels, Rika Nieuwoudt, Rikus de Beer, Janina Oberholzer, Jean de Villiers, Jonathan Mokuena, Jannie du Plessis, Tommy Dickson (Chef Vaatjie) – Toks & tjops
THE WINNERS IN THE FEATURE FILM CATEGORIES:
Best Supporting Actor
Francois Jacobs – Khaki Fever
Best Supporting Actress
Zandélle Meyer – My f*k, Marelize!
Best Actor
Stian Bam – Hen
Best Actress
Je-ani Swiegelaar – My f*k, Marelize!
Best Feature Film
The Heart Is a Muscle
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS:
- Leon Schuster – Actor and Filmmaker
- Vinette Ebrahim – Actress
- Marida Swanepoel – Former kykNET channel head, scriptwriter and producer
The Silwerskermfees is sponsored by Openserve, the City of Cape Town, the Dagbreek Trust, FlySafair and the National Film and Video Foundation.