ShazaCin's Mthokozisi Ntshingila and Shakila Maharaj accepting their award. Image: Nkuluworld
By Simon Manda
Durban-based audio description company recognized for innovation in accessibility
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA, 24 August 2024- ShazaCin, a pioneering Durban-based media company specializing in audio description services, has been honoured with the Best Producer Award in the disability category at the inaugural Power24 International Film Festival.
The event took place at an exclusive ceremony held in Morningside, Durban.
ShazaCin, the first company of its kind in Africa, offers a comprehensive solution for making visual content accessible to persons with visual impairments. Their services range from audio description (AD) content creation to AD delivery through their mobile assistive app “ShazaCin”.
Shakila Maharaj, founder of ShazaCin, expressed her gratitude for the recognition: “We are the eyes of blind and visually impaired persons. This award underscores the importance of inclusion in information dissemination and audience development in cinema. By providing audio description, we’re opening up a world of visual storytelling to those who might otherwise miss out.”
This recognition is in line to honour service provision as mandated by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) to include AD in media services to make visual content accessible to persons with visual impairments. This aligns with ICASA’s goal of ensuring inclusive media consumption for all South Africans. The mandate requires broadcasters to provide quality AD created by experienced service providers compliant with international standards and best practices.
ICASA has set minimum percentages for AD implementation, which increase over time. For public broadcasters, these start at 5% in year 1, rising to 10% by year 3. The mandate aims to serve approximately 400,000 blind individuals and 2.9 million people with vision impairment in South Africa.
The Power24 International Film Festival recognised 24 different categories, showcasing a diverse range of talent and creativity.
The 2024 Winners List
1. Best Music and Film Score Film
Psiblingz – Till We’re Found- Neeraj Shetty : Canada
2. Best LGBTQIA+ Film
Freeman: John William Sutherlin: USA
3. Best International Short Film
Anthology Of Emotions : Pilot : Uthman LCH Oloyede: Nigeria
4.Best Film Producer – Disability
Shakila Maharaj : Shazacin Media: South Africa
5.Best Women Director
Makula- Nisha Kalema, Dan Mugisha- Uganda
6.Best International Feature Film
Makula: Nisha Kalema, Dan Mugisha -Uganda
7.Best Documentary Film
MUSIC POWER: The Story of Capital Radio 604: Craig James Johnston
8.Best Animation
OPAL- Alan Bidard: Martinique in the Caribbean and France
9. Best Short Film
Baratani (The Hill of Lovers): Moreetsi Gabang: Botswana
10.Best Low Budget Film
Thulebona: Lwazi Duma: South Africa
11.Best Emerging Filmmaker
Suitcase: Saman Hosseinpuor , Iran
12. Best International Short Film
ENTROPY: Dan Chen: US
13-15. Best Social Awareness Film
Wounded: Chimezie Onyebilanma: South Africa
Bleeding Wound: Noxolo Dlamini: South Africa
Sabelo Khomo: Break the Silence
16. Best Women Film
I NEED YOU: Laura García Pérez, Jose Garcia Perez: Spain
17. Best Disability Film
Possibilities: Bill Sarine: USA
18. Best Male Director
Identity: Razeen Dada: South Africa
19.Best Religion Film
Promised Land: Jürgen Baums: Germany
20.Best Children Film
Let’s Talk About It! (Also in 2022… 23… 24) International Politics is NOT a Child’s Play : Italy
21.Best Student Film
Winter Tears: Lindani Msibi : South Africa
22. Best Cinematography Film
John McWilliam – Soaring: Bradley Tereszkun: Australia
23. Best African Film
Ingoduso Yami: Themba Thango – South Africa
24. Best Audience Award
Makula- Nisha Kalema, Dan Mugisha- Uganda
The festival also recognized several partners and sponsors, including the Denis Hurley Centre, Durban Music School, BAT Centre, eThekwini Municipality, and the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism and Film Authority (KZN TAFA), for their contributions to the success of the event.
Power24 International Film Festival was born out of a vision to celebrate and promote diverse voices in filmmaking, with a particular focus on inclusivity and representation. The festival aims to provide a platform for both established and emerging filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with a global audience.
The seeds of Power24 were sown in the personal journey of Buhle Khumalo, a 33-year-old woman from kwaNongoma’s Thokazi area. Defying all odds, Buhle became the first black woman with a disability to clinch the Best Actress award at the Africa USA International Film Festival in Los Angeles earlier this year. Her stellar performance in “Zipped” didn’t just earn her a trophy; it ignited a vision for a festival that would amplify voices long silenced in the film industry.
Simon Manda, Festival Co-ordinator, reflected on the event’s success: “We are thrilled with the performance of our inaugural festival. Despite the challenges of organizing a major event without significant sponsorship in our first year, the response from filmmakers and audiences has exceeded our expectations. This success demonstrates the hunger for diverse storytelling and the importance of platforms that champion inclusivity in the film industry.”
The recognition of ShazaCin at Power24 International Film Festival marks a significant milestone in the journey towards more accessible and inclusive cinema in South Africa and beyond.
