The series “Shaka ILembe” by Bomb Productions leads the nominations for the 2024 Simon Mabhunu Sabela KZN Film and Television Awards. Among the nominated cast members are Nomzamo Mbatha, Deli Malinga, Hope Mbele, Thembinkosi Mthembu, Wiseman Mncube, and Kwenzo Ngcobo.
The nominations were announced by the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority, representing the Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs department.
In response to the growing influence of reality shows in KwaZulu-Natal, a new public participation category has been introduced, allowing the public to nominate and judge through a social media voting system.
Entries for this category are open until June 28, 2024. Additionally, due to industry demand, new Technical Award categories, including Best Use of Cinematography and Best Production Design, have been added this year.
Jackie Motsepe of the KZN Film Commission expressed delight over the announcement, aligning with their goal of creating opportunities and growing the local film industry.
She highlighted the significance of the new public voting category in recognizing popular reality TV shows and personalities. Motsepe also noted the record-breaking surge in entries, reflecting the enthusiasm and dedication of the province’s filmmakers and television producers.
The list of the Nominees are:
BEST ACTOR FILM
* Kwenzo Ngcobo – Freedom Street
* Masoja Msiza – Dear Future Wife
* Mpho Sebeng – Ingoma
* Siyabonga Shibe – Blind Eye
BEST ACTRESS FILM
* Jo-Anne Reyneke – A Queen’s Lobola
* Leleti Khumalo – Dear Future Wife
* Phumzile Puting – Why It Came
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR FILM
* Mbongeni Ngema – A Queen’s Lobola
* Nkosinathi Keswa – Inkabi
* Muzi Mthabela – Inkabi
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS FILM
* Tumelo Nkwanca – London Recruits
* Nqobile Dhlomo – Amathambo
* Thembi Mtshali-Jones – Blind Eye
BEST DIRECTOR
* Mengameli Nhlabathi – Blind Eye
* Obett Motaung – Dear Future Wife
* Tumelo Lekena – Father’s Day
* Vivek Mehta – A Queen’s Lobola
BEST PAN AFRICAN FILM
* Norman Maake – Inkabi
* Jacintha De Nobrega – London Recruits
* Daudi Anguka – Mvera
BEST ISIZULU FILM
* Joe Spirit – Amathambo
* Caroline Doherty – Dear Future Wife
* Zamani Mthiyane – Ingodusoyami
BEST MICRO BUDGET FILM
* Zamani Mthiyane – Ingodusoyami
* Sanele Ndlovu – Intandokazi
* Lwazi Duma – Thulebona
BEST FEATURE FILM
* Ashish Gangapersad – A Queen’s Lobola
* Joe Spirit – Amathambo
* Sans Moonsamy – Who’s my Daddy?
BEST SCREENPLAY
* Obett Motaung & Caroline Doherty – Dear Future Wife
* Tumelo Lekena – Father’s Day
* Mli Dube – Freedom Street
BEST STUDENT FILM
* Sithabiso Ndlovu – Cipher
* Sithabiso Ndlovu – Hobo
* Lindani Msibi – Isibazi
* Jarnell Kisten – The Captive
BEST NEWCOMER ACTOR
* Bonga Mhlongo – Father’s Day
* Ntando Zondi – Shaka iLembe
* Ntokozo Mthembu – Uzalo
* Ntokozo Vilakazi – uZulu no Mhlaba
BEST NEWCOMER ACTRESS
* Nirvana Nokwe-Mseleku – Outlaws
* Zamuntu Khoza – Sibongile and The Dlaminis
* Ziya Xulu – Shaka iLembe
BEST USE OF CINEMATOGRAPHY
* Tiyane Nyembe – A Queen’s Lobola
* Jimmy Reynolds – Dear Future Wife
* Jimmy Reynolds – Freedom Street
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
* Boitumelo Nhlapo – A Queen’s Lobola
* Dylan Lloyd – Shaka iLembe
* Shalen Haluman – Who’s my Daddy?
BEST USE OF KZN AS FILMMING LOCATION
* Caroline Doherty – Dear Future Wife
* Gabhisa Khuluse – Ithesho Lami – My Hustle
* Christy Denn – Sibongile and The Dlaminis
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT FILM
* Sibusisiwe Buthelezi – Checkpoint
* Enver Samuel – Truth Be Told – Ntombi Kubheka – Bones of Memory
* Enver Samuel – Truth Be Told – Phila Portia Ndwandwe – The Breastfeeding Warrior
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM
* Jacintha De Nobrega – London Recruits
* Carolyn Carew – Music Is My Life – Joseph Shabalala And
* Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Alabiku – Mopol junction
