The gritty crime-drama film tells the story of an aging, womanising, professional boxer from the Eastern Cape and his career-criminal brother who take one last shot at success and get more than they’ve bargained for. The opportunity to be part of Knuckle City arose when producer Layla Swart approached the NEF to close the gap left open by one of their investors to ensure that the movie was fully funded.

Swart and Qubeka are co-owners of Yellowbone Entertainment production house. The film was selected to participate in the Cinéfondation’s Atelier at Cannes, the biggest film festival in the world. In addition, the film was nominated to represent South Africa at the 2019 Academy Awards (Oscars) in the Foreign Language category. It went on to screen at festivals around the world and won many awards.

Knuckle City stars Bongile Mantsai, Siv Ngesi, Faniswa Yisa, Awethu Hleli, Nomhle Nkonyeni, Zolisa Xaluva, Owen Sejake and Angela Sithole. The film was produced by Yellowbone Entertainment for Mzansi Magic Movies. It was funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the National Empowerment (NEF), the Department of Arts and Culture, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation and the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) with the support of the Buffalo City Municipality and the Eastern Cape Provincial Government.

Knuckle City is distributed in South Africa by Indigenous Film Distribution (IFD).

Knuckle City opens in cinema in South Africa on 28 February 2020.

The post Knuckle City, Releases 28 February 2020 appeared first on Stage and Screen.

In light of all the rewards and acknowledgments through the Naledi Theatre awards, Stage and Screen is dedicated this article, to the memory of Francois Theron, who too soon, left us with so much more curtains to be called!

The 14^th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards were held at Johannesburg this week, with Montecasino’s Teatro hosting the event.  The ceremony will also be broadcast on kykNET and Mzanzi Magic, on August 5, 2018.

We do not want to highlight anyone, and we believe all the artists who had stepped on a stage, ensemble, lead, or somewhere with a musical instrument in a pit, together with every hand behind the scenes, are due for a Theatre award.

But the winners for the night, are:

Best Supporting Actress

Khutjo Green – Molière’s Tartuffe

Best Supporting Actor

John Lata – The Suitcase

Best Production For Children; Age 0-12

Cloud Catcher

Best Production For Young Audiences; Ages 13-17

Onderwêreld

Best Performance In A Production For Young Audiences

Jaques De Silva – Taking Flight

Best Newcomer/Breakthrough

Phillip Schnetler – Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Best Costume Design

Sasha Ehlers – Molière’s Tartuffe

Best Lighting Design

Joshua Cutts – West Side Story

Best Set Design

Conor Murphy – West Side Story

Best Sound Design or Soundscape

Gladman Balintulo – Sarafina!

Best Original Score / Arrangement / Musical Adaptation

Charl-Johan Lingenfelder – King Kong: Legend of a Boxer

Best Musical Director

Charl-Johan Lingenfelder – West Side Story

Best Ensemble

Molière’s Tartuffe

Best Original Choreography For A Play, Musical / Revue

Louisa Talbot – West Side Story

Best Director Of A Musical / Revue

Jonathan Munby – King Kong: Legend of a Boxer

Best Director Of A Play

Lesedi Job – When Swallows Cry

Best Supporting / Featured Performance In A Musical / Revue: Female

Ntambo Rapatla – King Kong: Legend of a Boxer

Best Supporting / Featured Performance In A Musical / Revue: Male

Sanda Shandu – King Kong: Legend of a Boxer

Best Lead Performance In A Musical: Female

Lynelle Kenned – West Side Story

Best Lead Performance In A Musical: Male

David Dennis – Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Best Lead Performance In A Play: Female

Jennifer Steyn – The Inconvenience of Wings

Best Lead Performance In A Play: Male

Andrew Buckland – The Inconvenience of Wings

Best Performance In A Solo Production: Female / Male

Gideon Lombard – Die Reuk van appels

Best New South African Script

When Swallows Cry – written by Mike van Graan

Best Production Of A Play

When Swallows Cry

Best Production Of A Musical

King Kong: Legend of a Boxer

World Impact Award

William Kentridge

Lesedi Spirit of Courage Award

Oscar von Memerty

Innovation in Theatre Award

Dorothy Ann Gould

Lifetime Achievement Awards

Sandra Prinsloo & Don Mattera

“Congratulations to Everyone who made a curtain call possible in 2017. 

Here is to standing ovations through the years to come” – Stage and Screen

The post Winners of the 2018 Naledi Theatre Awards appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Popular local television channels M-Net, Mzansi Magic, Mzansi Bioskop, Mzansi Wethu, kykNET and kykNET & kie have two things in common; They all belong to the proudly South African M-Net stable of channels on DStv and in 2018, and they will all debut a slate of hot new original television productions. Capitalizing on the abundance of talent and stories available across the country, M-Net’s local content investment is set to increase.

First up, M-Net is creating South African editions of not one, but three, blockbuster global television formats. The gritty reality series Survivor, the culinary-themed My Kitchen Rules SA’s 2nd Season and the glamorous Dancing With The Stars. All these shows will keep the family entertained with local versions of some of the biggest formats in the world. Make sure you tune in as contestants play, cook and dance their way to the big prizes.

M-Net channels’ local is lekker flavour is kykNET. The fresh new series Oppi Kassie, is an intriguing new documentary series looking at the history of South African television. Plus, look out for Skelmpie, Op Die Spel, Knapsekerels, Flieknet Foendies and Elders de Camino to name a few of the new Afrikaans titles on offer over the next few months.

Due to its popularity, Suidooster, kykNET & kie’s soapie for the family viewer has increased its frequency to five episodes a week this year. The channel is also doubling its comedy offering over the next year and the popular reality show Boer Soek ‘n Vrou will be unveiling the new presenter in the upcoming 13^th season.

Not to be outdone, and specifically for Compact customers, Mzansi Magic is also rolling out the red carpet for DStv customers. The recently launched drama Nkululeko, is a coming-of-age story set in the windswept streets of Khayelitsha. Also premiering in January, is iKhaya, set against the backdrop of Daveyton. Plus, the new reality show, Yim’lo, that tackles the difficult topics that pull friends and family apart. Mzansi Wethu viewers will be in for a treat as brand-new shows are being produced for the Access market.

Rounding off this Spotlight, is the new on the horizon channel upgrade of Vuzu Amp. An exciting content offering 1Magic, makes its first appearance on January 29. Top of the line-up is the original telenovela The River which will premiere on launch day. The storyline combines the allure and ruthlessness of the business world, with the raw essence of township struggles, making for the type of storylines our viewers love. The telenovela will be helmed by Sindi Dlathu who left Muvhango to star in this show. Rounding off the stellar cast are Hlomla Dandala, Don Mlangeni, Moshidi Motshegwa, newcomer Larona Moagi. There will be other new local dramas and reality shows to bolster the channel offering with the focus day being Friday.

Commenting on the local content explosion, CEO General Entertainment for Video Entertainment, Yolisa Phahle said: “We remain committed to telling local stories in local languages, this is what viewers want. This year Mzansi Magic, Mzansi Wethu, Mzansi Bioskop, kykNET & kie, as well as M-Net will all increase their investment in local productions. We are working with new and established industry professionals to ensure that all our customers from DStv Access customers all the way to Premium customers, regardless of how they access or experience an M-Net channel, are kept engaged and excited.”

So, with this much confidence in the South African TV industry, it’s clear that this will be a bumper, and yes magical, year for even the most avid of South African television lover! Stage and Screen will attempt to feature more information on these local shows, which are applicable to our loyal target market.  One thing is clear though, with all these quality local shows, the little repeats still happening on DStv, is totally worth it.

If you don’t now already, here are the channel numbers on DStv:

M-Net:  101

1Magic:  103

kykNET:  144

kykNET & kie:  145

Mzansi Magic:  161

Mzansi Wethu:  163

Mzansi Bioskop:  164

M-Net +1:  901

The post Homegrown Magic in the Spotlight! appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Africa’s pioneering TV channel, M-Net, is about to hit a milestone birthday– the big 3-0! In October 2016, it will be thirty years since the very first M-Net subscribers connected their newly-acquired analogue decoders. This was a major technological breakthrough at the time giving viewers access to a brand new world of entertainment.

While the industry has continued to evolve at lightning speed, M-Net has always been at the forefront of the latest developments.

What started as one South African analogue channel has grown into an array of more than 40 channels (including M-Net Edge, kykNET, Mzansi Magic, VUZU AMP, Channel O and Africa Magic), addressing the viewing needs of diverse audiences on different platforms in almost 50 countries across the African continent. In curating and creating the very best content and channels for DStv customers, M-Net also boasts an impressive and long list of revolutionary moves and “firsts”– from being the first to screen movies without ad breaks to introducing South Africa’s very first soap, bringing local versions of blockbuster reality shows like Big Brother and Idols to our shores, producing ten language-specific TV channels, going HD and adding events-driven pop-up channels as well as services like “Express from the US”.

Now, in the trend-setting and magical fashion that it has become renowned for, M-Net will be celebrating its 30^th birthday in a unique way– with a fun-filled comedy pop-up channel.

M-Net’s on-screen birthday bash, the M-Net Movies BlockParty, will run for the entire month of October on channel 109 on DStv Premium, playing everyone’s favourite comedy movie hits, the latest comedy shows and handing the mic over to the world’s best stand-up comedians. The channel will be rolling out the red carpet for comedy greats Seth Rogen, Eddie Murphy, Amy Schumer, Jim Carrey, Leon Schuster, Steve Martin, Austin Powers, Kevin Hart, Trevor Noah, Ellen DeGeneres, Martin Lawrence and many more.

M-Net Movies BlockParty will be screened around the clock for 30 days. Every weeknight there will be seriously funny classic series from 19:30, side-splitting movies at 20:30 and raucous stand-up comedy shows from 22:00.

“M-Net would not have been where it is today without the loyal support of our viewers,” says M-Net’s CEO Yolisa Phahle. “M-Net Movies BlockParty will have something for everyone and provide shows for the whole family to enjoy together.  Comedy is always popular and we would like our viewers to have some fun, so we look forward to celebrating our big birthday with as many people as possible.”

Apart from the M-Net Movies BlockParty pop-up channel, M-Net is also producing an exclusive TV special about the history and evolution of the network, as well as the way in which it has developed the African film and television industry and positively changed the lives of many people. This nostalgic TV special gives viewers the opportunity to hear from M-Net’s biggest stars and will be screened on several of the M-Net channels in early November.

To add to the M-Net 30^th birthday celebrations, viewers can also look forward to plenty of fire-cracking new programming on M-Net’s various channels in October.

The new tension-filled reality show Shark Tank South Africa, in which budding entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas for a possible investment to business moguls,will be launching on M-Net 101 on Sunday, 2 October at 18:00. Also look out for the brand new sci-fi series Frequency, which takes time-travelling to a whole new level, starting on Thursday, 6 October at 20:30.

From Friday, 14 October at 21:00, M-Net Edge viewers will have a weekly date with the always hot – and always witty – Sarah Jessica Parker, the star of the much-anticipated new HBO comedy Divorce.  Another exciting new series on M-Net Edge is the big-budget sci-fi thriller Westworld, based on the Michael Crichton bestseller set in a futuristic theme park. The impressive cast includes Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Woods and Thandie Newton and the action starts on Monday, 3 October at 21:00.

The kykNET highlights for October include, among a variety of brand new series, the return of Karen Zoid’s popular talk show Die Republiek van Zoid Afrika (Tue, 11 Oct at 20:30) as well as the inimitable Nataniel’s cooking travel show Edik van Nantes (11 Oct at 20:00) and the channel’s firm favourite reality show Boer Soek ‘n Vrou (Thu, 20 Oct at 20:30) with new host Minki van der Westhuizen.

VUZU AMP, on DStv’s channel 103, will be the home of the novel new reality game show PowerPlay Coalition (starting on Sat, 15 Oct at 18:00) in which creatives showcase their best innovative work to expert event promoters.

On Mzansi Magic (channel 161 on DStv) fans can enjoy more compelling episodes of The Queen, Idols, Greed and Desire, Isikizi and Isibaya while the hit coming-of-age drama It’s Complicated, starring Atandwa Kani and Fikile Mthwalo, will be back for a second season on Sunday, 9 October at 21:00.

More details about the M-Net Movies BlockParty channel, the M-Net TV special and highlights on the M-Net family of channels in October and November will be shared in due course. For the latest information, go to www.mnet.tv

The post M-Net Celebrates 30 Years of Magic appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Big Brother Mzansi returns for another season following the outstanding success of last year’s show which saw beloved spaza shop owner Mandla Hlatshwayo walk away with fame, fortune and romance!

Now the hunt is on for Mzansi Magic‘s 24/7 live reality TV series, Big Brother Mzansi 2.  Think you’ve got what it takes?  If you are bold enough, brave enough, smart and savvy enough to take on the challenge, a spot may await you in Big Brother’s house.

 “Big Brother Mzansi allows us as a channel to tap our audience’s engagement –specifically in the social networking space. It’s a double-win for our viewers – great viewing today drives great viewing in the future.  This show is an entertainment dream, packed with action, drama, romance and humour,” says Nkateko Mabaso, Director of Local Interest Channels at M-Net.

If you are a citizen/legal resident of South Africa and 21 years of age or older (as of 01 January 2015), then you can audition for the show.  This year auditions will take place simultaneously in Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg on Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February 2015.

Auditions in Durban will be held at the BAT Centre (45 Maritime Place); in Cape Town at the Cape Town Lodge (101 Buitengracht Street) and in Johannesburg at The Pyramid Venue in Eloff Street.  Registration starts at 08h00 and closes at 15h00 on both audition days. If you are registered by 15h00 you will be auditioned. Remember that auditions are on a first come/first serve basis and you must bring a valid South African ID document with you.

If you are wondering what the prize money is, the answer is that it won’t be less than R 1 million, and it could be as high as a mouthwatering R 2 million! That’s all Biggie is saying for now.

As always, there’s a twist…this year you can either audition as an individual, or with a partner.

So if you think you and your best friend will wow the Big Brother selection team, then make sure you are both at the auditions together. You can pair up with anyone…your brother, sister, cousin, boyfriend, girlfriend, neighbour, gym buddy, golf partner, work mate…anyone you want as long as they meet the entry requirements and want to participate.

Big Brother Mzansi 2 starts on Sunday, 29 March 2015 on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161) running for 56 days until the Finale in May.

The post Big Brother Mzansi appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Canoc Productions announced earlier this year with great excitement, that international songwriter and musician, Kenny G, will be performing in South Africa at 8pm on Thursday, 20 November 2014 at the Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg.  Tickets are already selling fast.

Presented by Canoc Productions in association with Mzansi Magic Music, the Kenny G concert is a special performance set to enthrall his many local fans and lovers of contemporary and smooth jazz. “We are exceptionally pleased to bring this phenomenally successful GRAMMY Award winning artist to perform in South Africa,” says Pleasure Letsoalo, Managing Director and Founder of Canoc Productions who also brought Trey Songz, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Chris Brown and Maxwell to this country.

“We are excited to be a part of the Kenny G concert. As Mzansi Magic Music we believe in exposing our audiences to the best in local and international music,” says Victor Koaho, Mzansi Magic Music’s Head of Marketing.

In a recording career that spans almost three decades and 23 albums, Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Kenny G has grafted elements of R&B, pop and Latin to a jazz foundation solidifying his reputation as the premiere artist in contemporary jazz. Since the early ‘80s, his combination of unparalleled instrumental chops and indelible melodies has resulted in sales of more than 75 million records worldwide and more than a dozen climbs to the top of Billboard’s contemporary jazz chart.

Don’t miss Kenny G at the Coca-Cola Dome this November.

Tickets are available from Computicket.

The post Kenny G to Perform in South Africa appeared first on Stage and Screen.