The South African documentary Kushaya Igagasi has received the award for Best Short Film at the second annual Portuguese Surf Film Festival (PSFF) which took place on 5, 6 and 7 July 2013. The e.tv local documentary aired on the channel on Sunday, 6 January 2013.
The documentary, produced by Megan Steyn and directed by Olmega Mthiyane of Blue Fire Productions, aimed to capture the support and hope street kids found through surfing.
"I was quite thrilled to hear that our film Kushaya Igagasi won a best Short film at the Surf Festival in Portugal. The documentary is about four remarkable young men who did their best to tell their story as honestly as possible which helped convey the message and the plight faced by street kids. It’s important to always emphasize there is hope for a brighter and safer future for street kids, especially when they are able to engage in healthy activities like surfing. We all have a role to play in raising a child," says director Olmega Mthiyane.
PSFF celebrates the surfing culture, which the film portrayed very well. The documentary encompassed stories of street kids that were saved by surfing, as well as the restoration process that took place in their lives.
“We are honoured that once again our local content is receiving international recognition. Kushaya Igagasi is one of many e.tv programmes that highlight the unique and often inspirational stories of everyday South Africans. The production team did an excellent job in conveying a story that our viewers can relate to,” says Monde Twala, e.tv Head of Channel.
“When we were filming the documentary we never imagined we could be receiving an international award. It is so liberating to know that the children have been exposed to the rest of the world. It is these youngsters that made the documentary,” concludes Mthiyane.
A new season of local documentaries will air on e.tv from Sunday, 5 January 2014 at 6:30PM
