South Africa India Film and Television Awards

Curtain raising ceremony of cross-cultural 

awards event SAIFTA held in Mumbai

~ Ceremony showcased distinguished panel of film and TV 

personalities from India and South Africa ~

~ Hand-prints of eminent personalities from South African 

and 

Film Industry to be part of Wall of Fame”

~ Renowned Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan to host the 

award in Durban ~

~ Unveiling of SAIFTA Award Trophy ~

~ SAIFTA Brand Campaign unveiled~

Mumbai, July 15, 2013: A first of its kind awards event, the South Africa India Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA) by Celebrity Locker debuted in Mumbai with an exclusive curtain raiser ceremony. The attending mumbaikars were in for a treat as the arc lights of the award event shone bright at the Taj Lands End Bandra. SAIFTA is an annual event with the aim of creating a never before seen cultural exchange of the Indian and South African entertainment industry while rewarding outstanding performers and will take place in Durban on September 6, 2013 with a host of South African and Indian dignitaries.

The ceremony commenced with much fanfare and cheer as the cross-cultural event was officially inaugurated. The audience was treated to distinguished and respected personalities from both nations, who would be acting as the jury members for the duration of the awards. 

The star-studded Indian panelists consist of actor Ms. Waheeda Rehman, producer Mr. Mukesh Bhatt, actor Mr. Boman Irani, director and screenwriter Mr. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra along with director Ms. Farah Khan.

The South African panel comprised of luminaries such as renowned actor and writer Mr. Welcome Msomi, theatre and television personality Ms. Saira Essa, film industry veteran Mr. Peter Rorvik, performing artist Ms. Linda Bukhosini, theatre personality Ms. Caroline Smart as well as actress Ms. Leleti Khumalo.

Celebrity Locker, the Mumbai-based events company joined hands with the Province of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism of Durban to make the award ceremony possible.

John Abraham, Waheeda Rehman, Manoj Bajpai, Sanjay 

Gupta, Suniel Shetty, Apoorva Lakhia, Apurva and Shilpa Agnihotri, Mukesh Bhatt, Mr. Sadha Naidoo, Board Chairperson, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Ms. Neliswe Dlamini, Project Manager DEDT attended the curtain raiser press conference of SAIFTA.

The curtain raiser showcased the coveted Wall of Fame to the audience which will be taking hand prints of eminent personalities from the Indian and South African film and television industry and will be showcased at a prominent location in Durban.

Actress Waheeda Rehman unveiled the SAIFTA Trophy with John Abraham. The trophy has been tastefully designed keeping in mind the cross culture association between South Africa and India. The trophy has been brought to life by The Award Gallery.

Renowned Bollywood actor Mr. Saif Ali Khan would host the event in Durban on September 6, 2013.

Director Apoorva Lakhia and Director Sanjay Gupta of ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’ and ‘Shootout at Wadala’ respectively announced screening of their films in Durban. 

This is a SAIFTA skills transfer initiative in conjunction with the Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Through this initiative 500 tickets of each movie will be distributed via social media for free. Cinema enthusiasts can avail of these tickets and watch these movies that will be screened in one of the most legendary theatres in Durban. After each screening the cast and crew will be have a dialogue with the audience present to discuss the art and business of movie making.

The curtain raiser launched the first look of the brand identity. The design language (designed by the creative agency TWO) is a result of the merging of traditional South African and Indian motifs that represent entertainment themes but with a contemporary twist.

South Africa and India are a melting pot of cultures and SAIFTA is the platform that allows for this culture curry. The brand communication lines are: A Window to South Africa, Where Cultures Meet, Where Film & Television meet, Where Music and Entertainment meet and so on and so forth so as to embody the true spirit of SAIFTA. The treatment is international and opulent, offset against the black and gold of the logo.

The Province of Kwa-Zulu Natal is in the forefront of innovation and SAIFTA is an innovative concept, created with the intention of growing into a permanent and profitable global brand. The buzz generated from the event will put the Province of Kwa-Zulu Natal on the international map as a must see event for travellers and a desirable shooting location for Bollywood and other regional counterparts.

The award ceremony will boost tourism, business tie-ups, skills enhancement and promotion of both countries as ideal film locations and will promote and cultivate multi-culturalism and social cohesion. SAIFTA will double as a think tank where people who can make a difference, get together to push the cause to influence policy makers. A huge focus of the award ceremony is to put the spotlight on various social issues and channel funding to them through charities and fundraising initiatives.

According to Mr. Kedhar Gawde, organizer and Official Spokesperson of SAIFTA and Director of Celebrity Locker, 

“We at SAIFTA, which celebrates the harmonious association between South Africa and Bollywood, is proud to formally introduce our cross cultural award ceremony to the people of India. I am looking forward to the rest of the events where top South African and Indian film and television talent will be deservingly recognized and felicitated.”

The Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism board, Mr. Sadha Naidoo commented, “It is a proud moment to be associated with SAIFTA which builds bridges between our countries, promoting our extraordinary culture and talent. The awards give us an ideal opportunity to promote the Province of Kwa-Zulu Natal as an ideal film location for the top producers of Bollywood.”

SAIFTA is aimed at strengthening the bond between India and South Africa by enhancing the exchange of cultural elements in entertainment, fashion, music, dance talent and technical expertise between the two countries.

About SAIFTA: South Africa India Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA) is the first of its kind awards ceremony bringing Bollywood to Durban to felicitate talent from both countries in the sphere of cinema and television. SAIFTA aims to reach out to audiences and enhance cross cultural integration and provide an exciting platform between India and South Africa coming together to share technical ideas, talent, promote film locations and boost tourism.