The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), an agency of the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture and custodian of the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA’s) has selected AFDA Durban’s Head of Postgraduate Studies, Dr Janet van Eeden, to act in the capacity of the Overall Judging Chairperson of the SAFTA’s Judging Committee for the next 3 years. 

“I’m honoured to be chosen to be the Overall Chairperson of the SAFTA Awards with my dear friend and colleague, Bongiwe Selane. I was nominated by the SWIFT Board on which I serve as Head of Skills and Mentorship. They reviewed my role as Supervising Judge at the Durban International Film Festival as well as my role as Overall Chairperson at the Simon Sabela Awards and received strong recommendations from the Organiser of DIFF as well as from the COO of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, so it’s a real acknowledgement of respect from the Industry itself. I’m very grateful for this recognition.”

The SAFTA’s Overall Judging Chairpersons is undoubtable one of the most important roles in the film industry. Alongside the SAFTA’s Overall Judging Co-Chairperson Janet will be tasked with the enormous responsibility for maintaining the integrity of the SAFTA’s judging process and ensuring that the necessary deliberations, by all members of the judging panel are conducted in accordance with the highest Film and Television awards standards.