The special jury convened by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) \u00a0announced today that the feature film, Noem My Skollie, currently on circuit in South African cinemas has been nominated as South Africa’s official selection to the 89th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) in the category for Best Foreign Language Film Award. The NFVF CEO Zama Mkosi said: “We are proud that after a rigorous judging process, Noem My Skollie, is nominated as the official selection for the 89th Annual Academy Awards. This is indicative of the role that the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) plays in empowering, and transforming the film industry by taking South African stories from our streets to the world.”<\/p>\n
Competition this year for the coveted nomination to represent South Africa was intense. This is a remarkable achievement for Daryne Joshua\u2019s first feature film. The Producers, David Max Brown and Moshidi Motshegwa and their partners who supported the financing of the film at the NFVF, kykNET, Mnet and the distributor Ster Kinekor Entertainment, are absolutely thrilled with this news and are proud that the film deserved the accolade and confident that it will earn the Academy\u2019s further nomination.<\/p>\n
To date the film has been seen by over 32\u00a0000 people in South Africa.\u00a0 \u201cNoem My Skollie\u2019s \u00a0great Box Office performance has now been crowned with the nomination as South Africa\u2019s entry into the Oscars, we are extremely proud to have been part of getting this amazing film on to SA screens and are excited about the continued potential in our market and on the global stage\u201d, says Mario Dos Santos, Chief Executive Officer – \u00a0Ster Kinekor Entertainment.<\/p>\n
\u201cNoem My Skollie has been a project close to our hearts and M-Net and kykNET are incredibly proud of every single person who has brought this authentic South African story to life,\u201d says Jan du Plessis, Director: M-Net Channels. \u201cWhat makes it even more special, is that this moving film is the work of a first time director and that the story is rooted in the true-life experiences of the screenwriter. It\u2019s a film the world needs to see.\u201d<\/p>\n
The film tells the story of a young man in 1960\u2019s Cape Town who ends up in jail and barters his skills as a storyteller in order to avoid being forced into the number gangs. It is based on the life of the scriptwriter John W. Fredericks who is now 70 years old. This is a heart-lifting story of redemption that sends the audience on an action filled roller coaster with a massive emotional impact. It is a film that delves with great authenticity into the culture of the coloured people of the Western Cape but it is a film for all South Africans to enjoy regardless of colour, creed or language.<\/p>\n
“The sheer amount of love Skollie is receiving by audiences around the country continues to surprise us. We are overwhelmed by the honour of representing our country. Is met ‘n salute ja!” Daryne Joshua (Director)<\/p>\n
‘The greatest affirmation an artist can get is from their own tribe. We are ecstatic to have this affirmation!\u201d \u00a0Moshidi Motshegwa (Producer)<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you took films such as Shawshank Redemption, Tsotsi and City of God and rolled them into one movie that would best describe Noem My Skollie in terms of the cinematic quality and great night out\u201d. David Max Brown (Producer)<\/p>\n
\u201cI dreamed the impossible dream. Deep inside my heart I knew that Skollie is going to make an impact! When I was 70 years old I was blessed with a replica of the OSCAR which takes centre stage on my desk. I manifested this!\u201d\u00a0 John W Fredericks (Writer)<\/p>\n
The film received incredible reviews and ratings from movie critics since it\u2019s release on 2nd September 2016 and continues to run at several cinemas in South Africa.<\/p>\n
From this coming weekend it will be showing at the following cinemas:<\/p>\n