PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WGSA 5th ANNUAL MUSE AWARDS HELD ON 29 FEBRUARY 2020 AT THE APOLLO HOTEL IN JOHANNESBURG
The Writers Guild of South Africa hosted its 2019 WGSA Muse Awards Ceremony on 29 February 2020 at the Apollo Hotel, Johannesburg.
The event was well attended with representatives of the guild’s sponsors, family and friends of the finalists from across South Africa, friends of the WGSA, interested parties and WGSA council members.
The finalists and winners for the following categories:
CATE WOOD HUNTER - THE TRANSMOGRIFICATION OF ST. BUNNYCRISP
DORETTE NEL - RUBY & ROACH (WINNER)
PETER GOLDSMID - FESITO GOES TO MARKET
CATHERINE MEYBURGH - DYING FOR GOLD (WINNER)
ENVER SAMUEL - SOMEONE TO BLAME
SUSAN SCOTT – STROOP
MLUNGISI MHLANGA - THE SUNNY SIDE OF LADYSMITH (WINNER)
RICHARD NOSWORTHY AND JÜRGEN HELLBERG – CROSSROADS
STEPHEN NAGEL AND DEAN RAVELL - FRESH FACE SOCIETY
NICOLA HANEKOM - DWAALSTER_EPS 10_BLOEDMAAN
LOUIS PRETORIUS - DIE BOLAND MOORDE_SEASON2_EPS 5
LOUIS PRETORIUS - FYNSKRIF_SEASON1_EPS 4 (WINNER)
CAYLYNNE KING - GODS AND MONSTERS
MLUNGISI MHLANGA - P.I. GIBSON
STEPHEN NAGEL - WORLD WITHOUT END (WINNER)
ANIL POLTON - THE SOUTHERN CROSS
BONGI NDABA - MIRACLE
SEAN DRUMMOND - APOCALYPSE NOW (WINNER)
MLUNGISI MHLANGA - WAYS OF LIVING
SHIVANA NAIDOO - THE PALACE FOR LOST DAUGHTERS (WINNER)
STEVEN PILLEMER - GIRL IN THE CELLAR
CHRISTIAAN OLWAGEN AND CHARL-JOHAN LINDERFELDER - KANARIE
LOUIS PRETORIUS - DIE RUIMTE TUSSEN NIKS
SEAN DRUMMOND - FIVE FINGERS FOR MARSEILLES (WINNER)
AVRIL KINSEY - THE WILD COAST (WINNER)
HANNEKE SCHUTTE - THE POEM
STEVEN PILLEMER - COURTING ANATHI
This year the WGSA had two Special Awards.
All submissions into the competition are marked by three judges during the initial judging phases. This award is presented to a Gauteng-based writer who scores highest points by any judge, for any entry into any of the categories who then, during the final round, obtains the highest average from three additional judges. This is the third year the GFC has sponsored this award:
CHRISTIAN MYNHARDT – THUNDER
STEVEN PILLEMER - COURTING ANATHI
SUSAN SCOTT – STROOP (WINNER)
The Paul Ian Johnson Foundation is the creation of Lynne Johnson, a widow of the late Paul Ian Johnston, a beloved muse award-winning WGSA member. The award is presented to an emerging (WGSA candidate or student member i.e. a writer who has not had their work produced at the time of entering the competition), with the highest score in any category. The prizes, sponsored by the foundation, included a cash prize of R 10 000.00 (for a laptop/computer and software), a 1-year mentorship with access to at least 5 hours facetime per month with an industry professional, a two-week screenwriters course, a free copy of the latest Final Draft version and a signed copy of Robert McKee’s book, Story. The two runners-up received a free copy of the latest Final Draft version and a signed copy of Robert McKee’s book, Story. The inaugural award was introduced and presented by Lynne Johnson:
SHIVANA NAIDOO - THE PALACE FOR LOST DAUGHTERS (WINNER)
STEPHEN NAGEL - WORLD WITHOUT END
The WGSA also paid tribute to its founding chairperson, Ms Thandi Brewer and former WGSA council member, Clinton Marius, who passed away this year.
A huge thank you to all our judges and our sponsors:
First Round: Prof Adelle Gascoyne, Dr Anna-Marie Jansen van Vuuren, Ayanda Halimana, Bafana Khumalo, Ben Johnson, Dylon Ben-Israel, Dyllon Campbell, Francois Le Pere, Gerhard Ehlers, Gershwin Fritz, Ian Walters, Julie Hall, Jürgen Hellberg, Makganwana Mokgalong, Margaret Goldsmid, Nick Cloete, Pat van Heerden, Peter Goldsmid, Sir Peter Okafor, Raffaella Delle Donne, Renè van Rooyen, Richard Nosworthy, Sean Drummond, Steven Pillemer, Thabiso Tshabalala, Thamsanqa Mthiyane, Theoline Maphutha, Tracey-Lee Rainers, Ty Skosana, Vicki Bawcombe.
Final Round: International Judges - Pamela Jaye Smith (USA), Yinga Ogun (Nigeria), Nathan Kiwere (Uganda). South African Judges - Prof Adelle Gascoyne, Dries Scholtz, Elsa van Schalkwyk, Elsje Stark, Fidel Namisi, Dr Janet van Eeden, Lynn Johnson, Neil Brandt, Pamela Powers, Dr Phyllis Dannhauser, Renè van Rooyen, Thamsanqa Mthiyane, Thandi Sebe, Vicki Bawcombe.
The results of the judging process have been audited by Vaughan Jones, Corporate Accountant / SAFREA Treasurer.
The WGSA would like to thank all 2019 Muse Awards sponsors, the NFVF, GFC, Veronica Stewart and the Paul Ian Johnson Foundation.
