Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

Every year, without fail, South African filmmakers motivate their entries in the MultiChoice VUKA! Awards.

This year we dare you to do it again.

Entries for the 9th annual MultiChoice VUKA! Awards have just opened.

The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards dares filmmakers to make a public service announcement (PSA) or commercial that encourages viewers to buy into humanity and not a product.

"The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards aims to encourage South Africans to focus beyond the lens, creating empathy, inspiring action, building national pride and, ultimately, generating income and awareness for the charities," says Marilyn Watson, corporate communications manager: MultiChoice.

Last year's winner for Best Overall Newcomer, Leon Von Solms, says that participating in the MultiChoice VUKA! Awards gave him the confidence and the affirmation he needed to continue following his dream.

The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards have launched many South African filmmaker's careers. But it is also an opportunity for established, industry professionals to show us what they can do.

Adam Thal and Ryan Poole of Star Productions enter the MultiChoice VUKA! Awards every year religiously. Last year they entered two PSAs; Tokoloshe won Best Overall and Tar took home Best Concept and Script.

Collective Energy's rising director Grant De Sousa's PSA There's No Going Back garnered a Best Editing VUKA! Award; it has since been short listed in the 2007 Young Directors Awards at the Cannes Lions this year.

"The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards is a competition for both professional filmmakers and newcomers with a burning passion for filmmaking, to produce PSA that will enrich the lives of the people of South Africa," says Jackie Rakitla of MultiChoice.