The National Film Academy unveils the Nominees for the National Film & TV Awards South Africa

The stage is set, the excitement is palpable, and South Africa’s entertainment industry is about to make its mark on the global stage. The National Film Academy has officially unveiled the nominees for the National Film & TV Awards South Africa (NFTA), and the anticipation is building for a grand celebration of talent and creativity.

With a remarkable history spanning 25 years, the National Film Academy has grown to become one of the world’s largest film and TV academies, boasting a staggering membership of over 7.5 million individuals worldwide. This prestigious institution is no stranger to recognizing excellence, having played a pivotal role in organizing acclaimed awards ceremonies like the National Film Awards UK, National Film & TV Awards USA, and National Reality Television Awards.

Now, the Academy is extending its legacy to South Africa, announcing the annual National Film & TV Awards for this vibrant nation. Scheduled to take place at the Opera Theatre in Pretoria on the 21st of October 2023, this event promises to be a glittering showcase of South Africa’s cinematic and television prowess.

What sets the National Film & TV Awards South Africa apart is its global reach. The event will be broadcast to 15 countries, giving the world a front-row seat to witness the depth and breadth of South African movies and talent. It’s a chance for South Africa to shine on the international stage like never before.

Sara Kensington, Head of Partnerships at the National Film Academy, shares the Academy’s unwavering commitment: “Every territory we expand in, our goal remains constant: to elevate talent, both on and off-camera, and to catapult films and television shows onto the global stage. The worldwide rise of African music, from the infectious rhythms of Afrobeats to the soulful melodies of Amapiano, is clear evidence of the incredible potential African talent possesses. Starting right here in South Africa, the National Film Academy is excited to provide a global platform for this talent to thrive and succeed on a worldwide scale.”

South African talent has already left an indelible mark on the global stage, with notable accolades from the Academy’s international awards. Trevor Noah’s triumph as the Best Talk Show host at the National Film & TV Awards USA in 2018 and Terry Pheto’s win for Best Supporting Actress at the National Film Awards UK in 2017 for her role in “A United Kingdom” stand as shining examples of South African excellence.

In 2023, the South African edition of the hit reality TV show, ‘Love & HipHop SA,’ further cemented the nation’s reputation by clinching the prestigious title for Best International TV Show at the National Reality TV Awards in London.

As the anticipation builds and the spotlight shines brighter on South Africa’s entertainment industry, the National Film & TV Awards South Africa promises not just to be a celebration of talent but a testament to the incredible creativity and artistry that thrives within the nation’s borders. October 21st, 2023, will be a date etched in the annals of South African entertainment history, marking a new chapter in the journey towards global recognition and acclaim.

The official list of the National Film & TV Awards 2023 nominees include:

Best Actress 2023
Candice Modiselle (Love, Sex and 30 Candle)
Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (Home wrecker)
Noxolo Dlamini (Silverton Siege)
Shannon Esra (Do Your Worst)
Tumie Yakhe Ngumla (You’re My Favourite Place)
Noxolo Dlamini (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold)
Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King)
Kajal Bagwandeen (The Honeymoon)

Best Actor 2023
Nay Maps (Home Wrecker)
Jefferson Tshabalala (Big nunu’s little heist)
S’dumo Mtshali (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold)
Thabo Rametsi (Silverton Siege)
Mothusi Magano ( Wild is the Wind)
Stefan Erasmus (Silverton Siege)
Armand Aucamp (Mense van die wind)
Presley Chweneyagae (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold)

Best Newcomer 2023
Gaisang K Noge (Six In The City)
Ama Qamata (Blood & Water)
Nina Hastie (Comedian)
Khosi Ngema (Blood & Water)
Lindah Majola (The Wife)
Sicelo Buthelezi (Kleva-ish)
Khosi Ngema (Blood & Water)
Rosemary Zimu (Nine)

Best Actress in a TV Series 2023
Kgomotso Christopher (Legacy)
Tsholofelo Matshaba (The River)
Michelle Botes (Legacy)
Tsholofelo Matshaba (The River)
Elizabeth Serunye (Skeem Saam )
Khabonina Qubeka (Shaka Ilembe)
Cindy Swanepoel (Binnelanders)
Zikhona Sodlaka (The Wife)
Connie Ferguson (Kings of Jo’Burg)
Rosemary Zimu (Savage Beauty)
Kgomotso Christopher (Fatal Seduction)
Gail Mabalane (Unseen)
Thando Thabethe (Housekeepers S3)

Best Actor in a TV Series 2023
Lawrence Maleka (The River)
Irvine van der Merwe (Suidooster)
Zolisa Xaluva (Kings of Jo’Burg)
Melusi Mbele ( SCANDAL! )
Jason Willemse (uBettina Wethu S2)
Shona Ferguson (Kings of Jo’Burg)
Wiseman Mncube (Shaka Ilembe)
Thapelo Mokoena (Fatal Seduction)
Colin Moss (Unseen)
Craig Urbani (Makoti S2)
Hlomla Dandala (Justice Served)
Mpho Modikoane – (Entangled)

Best Supporting Actor 2023

Tony Miyambo (Big nunu’s little heist)
Arnold Vosloo (Silverton Siege)
Presley Chweneyagae (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold)
Thabo Rametsi (Amandla)
Chris Chameleon (Wild is the Wind)
Nay Maps (Home Wrecker)
Niza Jay ( You’re My Favourite Place)
Arnold Vosloo (Silverton Siege)

Best Supporting Actress 2023

Thuso Mbedu (The Woman King)
Letoya Makhene-Pulumo (Home Wrecker)
Kate Liquorish (Do Your Worst)
Awethu Sharon Hleli (You’re My Favourite Place)
Frances Sholto-Douglas (Fatal Seduction)
Tumi Morake (The Honeymoon)
Noxolo Dlamini (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold)
Nqobile Sipamla ( Amandla)
Khayakazi Kula (You’re My Favourite Place)

Best TV Drama Series 2023

Adulting
Donkerbos
Savage Beauty
Kings of Jo’Burg
Blood & Water
Shaka Ilembe
Fatal Seduction
Unseen

Best Male TV Personality 2023

Quinton Masina aka Naked ( Young, Famous & African)
Katlego Maboe (Tropika Island of Treasure All Stars)
Da L.E.S (Love & HipHop SA)
Swanky Jerry (Young, Famous & African)
Shane Eagle (Love & HipHop SA)
Somizi (Living the Dream with Somizi)
Diamond Platinumz (Young, Famous & African)
Shane Eagle (Love & HipHop SA)
Andile Ncube (Young, Famous & African)
2Baba (Young, Famous & African)

Best Female TV Personality 2023

Lebo “Jojo” Mokoena (The Real Housewives of Johannesburg)
Zari Hassan (Young, Famous & African)
Nunurai Mudarikwa (The Mommy Club)
Fifi Cooper (Love & HipHop SA)
Mpumi “Mrs Mops” Mophatlane (The Mommy Club)
Kayleigh Schwark (Young, Famous & African)
DJ Speedsta (Love & HipHop SA)
Happy “Her Majesty” Simelane (The Mommy Club)
Annie Mthembu (The Real Housewives of Durban)
Annie Macaulay-Idibia (Young,Famous & African)
Gigi Lamayne (Love & HipHop SA)

Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series 2023

Gaisang K Noge (The Wife)
Nthati Moshesh (Savage Beauty)
Brenda Mukwevho (House of Zwide)
Ama Qamata (Blood & Water)
Nicole Holm (Donkerbos)
Nomzamo Mbatha (Shaka Ilembe)
Charmaine Mtinta (Makoti)
Siphesihle Ndaba ( Gomora)
Deli Malinga ( Redemption)
Odelle De Wet (Binnelanders)

Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series 2023

Morné Visser (Justice Served)
Ayanda Daweti ( Gomora )
Abdul Khoza (The Wife)
Katlego Letsholonyana (Skeem Saam)
Mothusi Magano (Blood Psalms)
Lindah Majola (The Wife)
Gerald Steyn (Binnelanders)
Khaya Mthembu (Gomora)
Wanda Zuma (House of Zwide)

Best TV Presenter 2023

Anele Mdoda
Minnie Dlamini
Somizi Mhlongo
Nico Panagio
Lerato Kganyago
Katlego Maboe
Lawrence Maleka
Tshegofatso Mosupye
Emo Adams
MacFarlane Moleli

Best Comedian 2023

Loyiso Gola
David Kau
Riaad Moosa
Celeste Ntuli
Nik Rabinowitz
Deep Fried Man
Tumi Morake
Tats Nkonzo
Barry Hilton
Marc Lottering
Mpho Popps

Best Competition Show 2023

Celebrity Game Night
Kokkedoor: Vuur en Vlam
Wie Word ‘n Miljoenêr?
Koppestamp
Noot vir Noot
The Masked Singer South Africa
Survivor South Africa: Return of the Outcasts
Idols South Africa
The Ultimate Braai Master
Deal or No Deal: South Africa

Best Action in a Film/Series 2023

Big Nunu’s Little Heist
Assassins
Justice Served
The River
Wild is the Wind
Kings of Jo’Burg
iNumber Number: Jozi Gold
Redemption
Gomora

Best Entertainment Show 2023

Yo MTV Raps Uncapped
Young, Famous and African
MasterChef SA
Survivor SA: Return of the Outcasts
Sunday Sexy Love
Celebrity Game Night
Love & HipHop SA
The Real Housewives of Durban
Mzansi Icons
The Real Housewives of Johannesburg

Best International African Film 2023

Love, Sex and 30 Candles (South Africa)
Assassin (South Africa)
Goodbye Julia (Sudan)
Augure (Omen) (Congo)
Shimoni (Kenya)
Gangs of Lagos (Nigeria)
Sira (Burkina Faso/Senegal)
The Planter’s Plantation (Cameroon)
TeraStorm (Kenya)
Our Brothers (Algeria)
Xalé (Senegal)

Best Documentary 2023
Milisuthando
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price?
Against All Odds: the Alwyn Uys Story
Rassie
My Name is Reeva
Pale Ya Kosa
Steinheist
Nkalakatha: The Life of Mandoza

Outstanding Performance 2023

Zikhona Sodlaka (The Wife)
Nomzamo Mbatha (Assassin)
Jaques De Silva (The Umbrella Men)
Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (Home wrecker)
Abdul Khoza (The Wife)
Connie Ferguson (Kings of Jo’Burg)
Gail Mabalane (Unseen)
Hlomla Dandala (Justice Served)
Tsholofelo Matshaba (The River)
Arnold Vosloo (Silverton Siege)

Best Feature Film 2023
Silverton Siege
Love, Sex and 30 Candles
Wild Is the Wind
The Umbrella Men
Mense van die wind
The Honeymoon
iNumber Number: Jozi Gold
Kleva-ish

Best Director 2023

Stephina Zwane (Love, Sex and 30 Candles)
John Barker (The Umbrella Men)
Stephina Zwane (Home Wrecker)
Samantha Nell (Do Your Worst)
Mandla Dube (Silverton Siege)
Fabian Medea (Wild Is the Wind)
David Schröder (Mense van die wind)
Bianca Isaac (The Honeymoon)

Best Producer 2023
John Barker, Joel Phiri, Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, Dan Jawitz, Thembalethu Mfebe (The Umbrella
Men)
Walter Ayres | Mandla Dube ( Silverton Siege)
Fabian Medea | Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri (Wild Is the Wind)
Aimee Dherman (Mense van die wind)
Bianca Isaac | Gregory Mthanji (The Honeymoon)
JP Potgieter (iNumber Number: Jozi Gold)

Celebrity Personality of the Year 2023

Zikhona Sodlaka
Connie Ferguson
Pearl Thusi
Katlego Maboe
Lasizwe Dambuza
Minnie Dlamini
Boity Thulo
Bonang Matheba
Nadia Nakai
Natasha Thahane
Clement Maosa

Best Production Company 2023

Both Worlds Pictures
Quizzical Pictures
Urban Brew Studios
Yellowbone Entertainment
Tshedza Pictures
Stark Films
Ochre Media
Meraki SA
Nagvlug Films
Burnt Onion Productions
Bomb Productions

Best Television / Streaming Network 2023

e.TV
SABC2
M-Net
S3
ShowMax
Mzansi Magic
Netflix
kykNET
BET
SABC 1
1Magic

Best Non-Scripted TV Series 2023

The Mommy Club
Love & HipHop South Africa
Noot vir Noot
The Taste Master SA
Living the Dream with Somizi
Young, Famous and African
The Real Housewives of Johannesburg

Best Scripted TV Series 2023

Hotel
Binnelanders
Savage Beauty
How to Ruin Christmas
The Wife
SCANDAL!
Justice Served
The River