More International Accolades For Tummy-tickling Afrikaans Romcom, Kaalgat Karel

Although South Africans will only be able to enjoy Boondogle Films’ brand-new streaking romcom, KAALGAT KAREL when it opens in local cinemas on Heritage Day 2021, it has already won over the hearts of international critics and movie enthusiasts across the globe.

This brilliant motion picture, starring Francois Jacobs (Donkerland, Vir die Voëls, Pad Na Jou Hart) and Christia Visser (Tess, Ballade vir ’n Enkeling, Hollywood in my Huis), has just been named Best Feature Film and Best International Production at the Lit Laughs International Comedy Festival in the UK. 

In addition to this latest accolade, KAALGAT KAREL recently won the Writers Guild of South Africa (WGSA) Muse Award for Best Produced Feature Film Screenplay, was announced Best Feature Film at the Gelos Comedy Festival in Moscow and received the Best Romantic Comedy prize at the Poor Life Choices Comedy Festival in Los Angeles.

“We are so excited that KAALGAT KAREL has won Best Film Awards at festivals in places as diverse as Los Angeles, London and Moscow. Now we just can’t wait to share it on home soil. In a time of national trauma, our hope is that it will provide some much-needed light relief and bring people together through laughter,” says director Meg Rickards, who co-wrote and produced the feature with husband Paul Egan. The Executive Producer was the late Kim Williams, who tragically passed away in February 2021.

The film has also been selected to feature at several other international film festivals, including the Smile International Film Festival in Holland (where it received an honourable mention), the Boden International Film Festival in Sweden, the Phoenix International Genre Festival in the USA, the Iceland Comedy Festival, the Calgary International Film Festival in Canada and the Join the Craic – Comedy of the Mind Film Festival in Belfast.

“We are so honoured to receive international recognition. The film has now racked up several awards and we can’t wait to share it with the country,” adds Egan.

KAALGAT KAREL is the hilarious tale of Karel Venter (Jacobs), a thirty-year-old guy who loves the thrill and accompanying social media stardom of streaking during sports matches. He falls head-over-heels for the paramedic, Rita (Visser), who saves him after a streak gone wrong, but there’s a problem; she’s a strait-laced single mom who has no interest in his streaking shenanigans.

Aside from brilliant cinematography by Bert Haitsma, an impressive music score by Loki Rothman, and a cheeky theme song by Jack Parow, Altyd Op Vakansie, the movie also boasts a star-studded cast that includes Schalk Bezuidenhout, Siv Ngesi, Tracey-Lee Oliver, Rosebelle Clasen and Eden Classens.

Audiences can catch this highly entertaining movie, with English subtitles, in local cinemas from 24 September 2021. It is locally distributed by Filmfinity (Pty) Ltd. and was produced in cooperation with kykNET, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC), the Eastern Cape Provincial Arts and Culture Council (ECPACC), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and its brand integration partners, Galito’s, Red Alert and the Hathaway Group of Guesthouses.

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By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb