Jozi, the new age South African comedy from Videovision Entertainment and T.O.M. Pictures received six South African Film and Television Award (SAFTA) nominations it was announced yesterday. The film received nominations in the following categories:
Best Film — Produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring and Robbie Thorpe
Best Director — Craig Freimond
Best Writer — Craig Freimond
Best Supporting Actor — Lionel Newton
Best Ensemble
Best Sound Engineer — Charlotte Buys
Jozi follows James, a successful comedy writer who feels overwhelmed by crime, politics, pessimism and a feather duster salesman. When his girlfriend leaves him for a guy who he thinks is the most boring man in the world, he loses the very spark of humour which enables him to earn his living. In a madcap journey, James travels through the highways and byways of South Africa from Daspoort Rehab to Johannesburg to try and recover his elusive sense of humour as well as his ability to love and laugh again.
Commenting on the nominations, producer, Anant Singh said, “We are thrilled with the six nominations for Jozi. Craig Freimond did a fantastic job crafting a really funny film that is uniquely South African. The nominations are also a testament to the talented cast ensemble and we congratulate them for their fantastic performances. These nominations validates the importance of local content in our industry and we are delighted that Jozi has received this recognition.”
Producer, Helena Spring said, “I am delighted ! Jozi was shaped by the talents of Craig Freimond, Robbie Thorpe and an exceptional cast and crew. The nominations are a tribute to their skill and creativity and we applaud their achievements.”
Videovision Entertainment has had previous successes at the SAFTAs with Anant Singh being honoured with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement / Outstanding Contributor Award in 2006; Dollars And White Pipes winning Best Feature Film Director and Best Screenplay; the TRC film, Red Dust winning the Best Editing and Mr Bones 2 which received SAFTAs for Best Editor, Best Costume Designer and Best Make-up and Hair.
The 5th South African Film and Television Award Ceremony will be held at Melrose Arch at Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams over a period of two weekends. The first event to be held on Sunday 20th of February will award winners in the Non-fiction categories, followed by the second session which will award the Fiction categories held on Sunday 27th of February.
JOZI is a Videovision Entertainment production in association with Distant Horizon, Coral Films, T.O.M. Pictures and The National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa. The film stars Carl Beukes, Lionel Newton, Nick Boraine, Moshidi Moshegwa, Jena Dover and Lindiwe Matshikiza with the Screenplay by Craig Freimond and Robbie Thorpe. It is produced by Anant Singh, Helena Spring, Robbie Thorpe; Co-produced by Akin Omotoso and Kgomotso Matsunyane; Executive Produced by Sudhir Pragjee and Sanjeev Singh and Directed by Craig Freimond.
