The stage is set for the 2013 Simon Mabhunu
Sabela Film Awards at Durban’s Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention
Centre on Saturday, July 20 at 6pm.
The awards, an initiative of the KZN
Department of Economic Development and Tourism which is implemented by the
newly-established KZN Film Commission and named in honour of the late South
African Film legend and icon, Simon Mabhunu Sabela, are aimed at recognising
outstanding achievers and excellence within South African and international
film.
The MEC for Economic Development and
Tourism, Michael Mabuyakhulu, said the awards had been planned to coincide with
the 34th Durban International Film Festival, and the Durban FilmMart.
“As we all know, Simon Mabhunu Sabela, in
whose honour the Film Awards are named, was one of the doyens of both the big
screen and television. Not only was he South Africa’s first Black film
director, he also had a long and successful career which saw him feature in
over 34 movies, both internationally and locally”, said Mabuyakhulu.
Simon Mabhunu Sabela starred alongside such
well-known actors as Roger Moore, Lee Marvin, Anthony Quinn, Burt Lancaster and
others. He died in 1994 at the age of 63.
Mabuyakhulu said the awards would be an
annual event that would attract both an international and local audience but
were also aimed at unearthing new talent from the province. He added::“This
year’s instalment of the awards will concentrate on honouring and celebrating
pioneers, legends and veterans of South Africa’s film industry. We deliberately
took this position because we felt that there was embarrassing backlog in terms
of recognising those who have, and continue, to work to build our country’s
burgeoning film industry.”
The 2013 Simon Mabhunu Sabela Film Awards
evening will be a glamorous and star-studded affair which will be attended by
the who’s who of the film industry. Among those who will be honoured are
actors, producers, directors and various film technicians.
For more information contact, Siyabonga
Maphumulo on 082 303 4243 or e-mail MaphumuloS@kznded.gov.za
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