Bay couple scoop award for film series

A PORT Elizabeth media production and training company has won the first – and only – MDDA (Media Development and Diversity Agency) Sanlam award in the broadcast category.

The Media Workshop won the award for its 13-part series, Film@Bay, produced for Nelson Mandela Bay community television channel Bay TV. The series was produced and directed by husband and wife team Marius and Denise Roodt, both former broadcast journalists.

"It feels really wonderful to be recognised for what you do. This shows the Eastern Cape is capable of producing world standard films," Denise said.

Film@Bay was produced as a training vehicle for The Media Workshop students studying film production. It profiled local filmmakers, showcased short films produced by students and had production tips.

The MDDA Sanlam awards were launched in 2010 to celebrate excellence in grassroots, community and local media.

Other Nelson Mandela Bay winners were Khanyisa Sinqe of Zithethele newspaper, who scooped awards for best emerging publication and best front pages of an emerging newspaper (two to five years old) and Bay FM presenter Luvuyo "Star" Nyembezi who won the award for Best Sports Magazine Show for Radio. -  Yoliswa Sobuwa