South Africa’s official entry to the 2017 Academy Awards is NOEM MY SKOLLIE!

The special jury convened by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)  announced on Tuesday, 27 September 2016 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 89^th 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 89^th 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."

Competition this year for the coveted nomination to represent South Africa was intense. This is a remarkable achievement for Daryne Joshua’s 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’s award. 

To date the film has been seen by over 32 000 people in South Africa.  “Noem My Skollie’s  great Box Office performance has now been crowned with the nomination as South Africa’s 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”, says Mario Dos Santos, Chief Executive Officer -  Ster Kinekor Entertainment.

“Noem 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,” says Jan du Plessis, Director: M-Net Channels. “What 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’s a film the world needs to see.”

The film tells the story of a young man in 1960’s 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. 

"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)

'The greatest affirmation an artist can get is from their own tribe. We are ecstatic to have this affirmation!”  Moshidi Motshegwa (Producer)

 “If 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”. David Max Brown (Producer)

“I dreamed the impossible dream. Deep inside my heart I knew that Skollie was 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!”  John W Fredericks (Writer)

The film received incredible reviews and ratings from movie critics since its release on 2nd September 2016 and continues to run at several cinemas in South Africa.  From this coming weekend it will be showing at the following cinemas:

Ster Kinekor: The Bridge                                                                                Ster Kinekor: Cape Gate

Ster Kinekor: N1 City                                                                                       Ster Kinekor: Blouroute

Ster Kinekor: Eikestad                                                                                     Ster Kinekor: V & A Waterfront Nouveau

Ster Kinekor: Parow                                                                                        Ster Kinekor: Promenade

Ster Kinekor: Somerset Mall                                                                         Ster Kinekor: Gateway Mall

Ster Kinekor: Brooklyn Nouveau                                                                Ster Kinekor: Rosebank Nouveau

Nu- Metro: Canal Walk                                                                                  Nu – Metro: Worcester

Ster Kalahari – Upington                                                                               Victorian Cinema – Newcastle

Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/fTr3ZNLJt-U

Social media links:

Facebook:         https://www.facebook.com/NoemMySkollieFilm/?fref=ts

Twitter: @noemmyskollie