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IT was a time of double celebration this week when Showmax became the first streaming service to win at the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas), where Tali’s Wedding Diary was the most awarded comedy. To top that, the show also reached one million views during the week.
The debut Showmax Original show won five awards, the most for any TV comedy. This made Showmax the most awarded broadcaster in the TV comedy category and marked the first time a streaming service had won at the Saftas.
“When we were making Tali’s Wedding Diary, we joked about winning a Safta – it seemed totally crazy given it was our first fully-fledged Showmax Original and all of us were learning as we went,” says Candice Fangueiro, head of content for Multichoice Connected Video.
“Fast-forward and we’re on stage not just winning one Safta award but taking home five. I’m still pinching myself.”
Tali’s Wedding Diary took awards for best comedy, actress (Julia Anastasopoulos as Tali Shapiro), directing (Ari Kruger), cinematography (James Adey) and editing (Richard Starkey). The mockumentary was also nominated for best scriptwriting (Julia, Ari and Daniel Zimbler) and art direction (Keren Setton) .
Tali’s Wedding Diary is a mockumentary that follows Tali, a self-obsessed Joburg princess who has moved to Cape Town and is planning her wedding to property-agent fiance Darren (Anton Taylor).
The series was inspired by Julia’s own wedding to Ari,her SuzelleDIY and Tali’s Wedding Diary co-creator.
The week before the Saftas, Tali’s Wedding Diary reached another milestone: the comedy topped one million views on Showmax.
“Julia and Ari have been amazing partners in bringing to life a character that South Africa has come to love,” says Candice.
“Tali’s become bigger than we ever could have expected and this gives us the confidence and appetite to get out there and tell more stories. I’m really grateful to everyone involved. What an incredible outcome.”
Fans have been asking for a sequel ever since the show aired – and while no official announcement has been made, Ari did hint on his Instagram account that another season could be on the cards.
After thanking everyone involved and everyone who watched and supported the show, he ended, “Let’s hope this recognition allows us to make the next chapter.”
In addition to Tali’s Wedding Diary, Showmax is also the only place you can stream a number of the other big SAfra winners, including The River, the most awarded telenovela; Lockdown, the most awarded drama; and Isithembiso, the most awarded soap.
Candice also congratulated a number of other winners who have collaborated with Showmax on original shows recently, including Trippin With Skhumba director Vincent Moloi, who won Best Directing: TV Drama for Tjovitjo; and The Girl From St Agnes director Catharine Cooke, who won her second Safta in two years, as part of the team on The River that won Best Directing: Telenovela.
Showmax is an internet TV service. For a single monthly fee, get all-you-can-eat access to a huge online catalogue of TV shows, movies, kids’ shows and documentaries. Start and stop when you want. No ads. Cancel anytime – there’s no contract.
Stream Showmax using apps for smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, computers, media players and gaming consoles. Showmax also works with Chromecast and AirPlay. Manage data consumption using the bandwidth capping feature. No internet? No problem – download shows to smartphones and tablets to watch later offline.
Showmax was born in 2015 and is currently available in more than 70 countries. For a free, no-risk trial, visit www.showmax.com.
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