Former Beacon Valley resident named best director at SAFTAs
Amy Jephta, 34, originally from Beacon Valley, currently living in Bo-Kaap won the South African Film and Television Award (SAFTAs) for Best Director and Best Feature Film.
A former Beacon Valley resident walked off with the South African Film and Television Award for Best Director of a Feature Film earlier this month.
Amy Jephta, 34, originally from Beacon Valley, and now living in Bo-Kaap was virtually presented with her SAFTA on Saturday September 3.
The TV drama Suidooster, which is set and filmed in Cape Town, won in the category for Best TV Soap.
Ms Jephta, walked away with the honours in the category for Best Achievement in Directing – Feature Film for the film Barakat.
“You never expect to win awards, but I felt it was a great confirmation that the film had connected with audiences and with the jurors of the SAFTAs,” said Ms Jephta.
“It was a very fitting ending to a long journey with Barakat, and a nice way to end our run. I felt elated and grateful to be acknowledged.”
It was important to show “our communities as being not only involved in stories of trauma, crime and pain, but also in stories of family and laughter,” she said.
“It was very important for me to make a joyful film, and to show our families in this light.”
To aspiring filmmakers, she said: “There are many stories waiting to be told. If you want to become a filmmaker, you need to constantly be practising your craft and keeping an eye out for the moments around you.”
Poet, writer and performer, Siphokazi Jonas, was awarded for her work in the category of Best Short Film. Siphokazi wrote the original screenplay for #WeAreDyingHere, which was awarded as the top film in this category. The film's executive producer is Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s The Kolisi Foundation and it is currently available on Showmax.
Congratulating the Western Cape winners, Cutural Affairs and Sport MEC Anroux Marais said: “We are very proud of the achievements of our local artists. They have shown that their work is making an impact not only in South Africa, but across the world. They are true ambassadors for the Western Cape and we celebrate them as local role-models.”
Ms Jephta is currently working on her next feature film at the moment and is associate producer on Devils Peak, which will be on MNet early next year.