SAIFTA binds India and South Africa
~Cross- cultural melding of Bollywood & Television and South Africa in Durban~
The South Africa India Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA) is a first of its kind annual event aimed at rewarding outstanding performers and enhancing the exchange of cultural elements of the Indian and South African entertainment industry. A curtain raiser ceremony was conducted to unveil the trophy, logo and other collaterals on 22nd March in Durban, formally announcing the property which ties in two countries. SAIFTA promises to be a never before seen annual cross- cultural award night in Durban on the 6th of September, packed with a host of South African and Indian dignitaries.
Celebrity Locker, the Mumbai-based events company joined hands with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism of Durban to make the award ceremony possible. SAIFTA is the brainchild of Kedhar Gawde, the director of Celebrity Locker, a renowned international fashion consultant who has directed and choreographed shows for some of the biggest brands in fashion and luxury. He was the first Indian Show Director to direct in New York Fashion Week 2013 for South African designer, David Tlale and will be putting his renowned signature style to the SAIFTA awards.
Audiences in Durban and worldwide are in for a star studded extravaganza with high-profile names from the entertainment industry of the two countries as panelists. The Indian panelists include actor Waheeda Rehman, actor Shabana Azmi, producer Mukesh Bhatt, actor Boman Irani, director and screenwriter Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and director Farah Khan. The South African panel will comprise of luminaries such as renowned actor and writer Welcome Msomi, theatre and television personality Saira Essa, film industry veteran Peter Rorvik, performing artist Linda Bukhosini, theatre personality Caroline Smart and actress Leleti Khumalo.
The city Durban 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 Durban 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. SAFTA 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.
Mr. Kedhar Gawde, organiser and Official Spokesperson of SAIFTA and Director of Celebrity Locker says,” The South Africa India Film and Television Awards brings good news for the local film and television industry, providing an exciting new cross-cultural exchange between the two countries in entertainment, talent, and technical expertise and film locations.” He added,” SAIFTA celebrates the harmonious association between South Africa and Bollywood and will bring to Durban top South African and Indian talent in the sphere of cinema and television.”
The Chairperson of the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism board, Mr. Sadha Naidoo commented, “The awards give us an ideal opportunity to market the province as an ideal film location to top producers from the Indian Film Industry who will be here for the September 6 function. In addition, SAIFTA will be beamed to thousands of homes in India, which will help boost tourism.”
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.
SAIFTA Profile
The South Africa India Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA) is a first of its kind annual event aimed at rewarding excellent performers of the Indian and South African entertainment industry. The project is aimed at strengthening the bond between India and South Africa by enhancing the exchange of cultural elements in entertainment, talent and technical expertise between the two countries. SAIFTA promises to be a never before seen annual cross- cultural award night in Durban on the 6th of September 2013, packed with a host of South African and Indian dignitaries.
Celebrity Locker, the Mumbai-based events company agency has joined hands with the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism of Durban, to make this prestigious association which binds the two countries possible. SAIFTA is the brainchild of Kedhar Gawde, a renowned international fashion consultant. He is also the Director of Celebrity Locker and aims at providing global recognition to SAIFTA, the harmonious meeting of Bollywood and Durban, a city on the forefront of innovation.
SAIFTA aims at boosting the economy through business tie-ups, increase in
employment and tourism for both South Africa and India; as well as putting Durban on the international map as a must see destination. 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. SAIFTA will double as a think tank where people who can make a difference, get together to push the cause to influence policy makers.
