Best reactions from first-time SAFTA nominees

The nominations for the 2022 South African Film and Television Awards are in, with Showmax Originals leading the way with 52 nominations, including the key categories of Best Telenovela (The Wife), TV Drama (DAM), TV Comedy (Tali’s Baby Diary), Feature Film (Glasshouse), Made For TV Documentary (Devilsdorp), and Made For TV Movie (Boxing Day).

Here’s what your faves are saying about their first-ever nominations: 

First-time SAFTA nominee Lea Vivier, up for Best Actress: TV Drama as Yola in DAM

“I was filming all day and only found out during lunch when I took my phone off airplane mode. Alex Yazbek, DAM’s director, had screen-grabbed the list of nominees and sent it to me. I immediately started screaming and laughing and yelling, all the emotions bubbling out of me in one go. I felt ecstatic and giggly and giddy and over the moon because I poured every single fibre of my being as an actress into the character and the project, so it feels wonderful to receive some recognition. I definitely feel like this nomination belongs to me but also to the rest of DAM and its cast and crew and director because it was such a group effort and without them our DAM wouldn’t have been so damn phenomenal.” 

First-time SAFTA nominee Bonko Khoza, up for Best Actor: Telenovela as Mqhele in The Wife

Still trying to find the words but all I can say now is… All Glory to God.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf_zMTADVxv/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

First-time SAFTA nominee Anton Taylor, up for Best Actor: TV Comedy as Darren in Tali’s Baby Diary

“I was walking through my front door when I saw that Showmax had tagged me in an Instagram post. I ran into the kitchen, told my girlfriend, and we opened the post together. It took us a moment to realise that I’d been nominated, and then we both started screaming, there in the kitchen. I just felt so happy. You dream about something your whole life, and then one day you’re in the kitchen, and the penny drops, and you realise that it came true. I immediately thought about the cast and crew of Tali’s Diary and how much I care for them. And I thought of all the people throughout my life who believed in me and gave me chances. A moment like this feels like I’m vindicating them. Looking back, half a decade ago, it must have been quite a leap of faith for Ari and Julia and everybody at Showmax to cast me as the male lead of their first Original series. But they did, and it changed my life. I’m always really driven to reward them for their decision, and moments like this feel like I’m doing that.” 

First-time SAFTA nominee Ilse-Lee van Niekerk, up for Best Actress: TV Comedy as Jessica in Troukoors

“I’m so grateful for the nomination and for the chance to work with the incredible cast and crew of Troukoors (all of whom I miss terribly!).” 

First-time SAFTA acting nominee Siv Ngesi, up for Best Supporting Actor as Victor in DAM

“I was having a meeting and someone just Whatsapped to congratulate me. I was in the meeting with Ashley de Lange, and then she was nominated for Best Actress in a TV Comedy for G.I.L., so we both celebrated. And then I called my mom. I’ve always wanted to get a nomination for acting and this was my first one (the rest were for presenting and producing).” 

First-time SAFTA nominee Kate Pinchuck, up for Best Supporting Actress: TV Comedy as Taryn in Tali’s Baby Diary

“I can’t really believe it, to be honest, but thrilled nonetheless. It was such a joy bringing Taryn to ridiculous life, and I’m so proud of Tali’s for getting 11 frikken SAFTA noms! What the actual you guys. Thank you to the best cast and crew that made it possible; you were all a dream to work with. #iamdonewithmysincerityfortheday”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CgBfANVqKzT/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

First-time SAFTA nominee Neil Sandilands, up for Best Supporting Actor: TV Drama as Bernoldus in DAM

“I woke up in Eagle Rock, Los Angeles this morning with 53 new messages. My first thought was the Apocalypse was upon us. The temptation to wax philosophical was momentous indeed, but let me simply say the black coffee and sweet donut never tasted finer. Congrats to Team DAM! Proud to be a part of this number.”

First-time SAFTA nominee Natasha Loring, up for Best Supporting Actress: TV Drama as Sienna in DAM

“I’m still blown away by the news. I knew from the first time I read the script that DAM was going to be something special and it exceeded my expectations. It was a massive team effort. Everyone poured their heart and souls into this show. I am so proud to be a part of this production and blown away the SAFTAs have recognised the show in so many categories!”

Debut feature film director Kelsey Egan on Glasshouse being up for six SAFTAs, including Best Film

“Making this film was a gift, as was having such dedicated, passionate, talented teammates. Thank you to the creative wunderkinds who helped bring our dystopian fairytale to life, and to the SAFTAs for recognizing these achievements. Not even a global pandemic could stop the team that built Glasshouse.”

Watch all these gems now streaming on Showmax.