AFDA alumni and alumni owned production companies scooped 9 of the 17 awards on offer at CICLOPE Africa 2020, including the most prestigious award; the Grand Prix, for the production Boni & Wes, directed by alumni Helen & Kim, shot by alumnus Zen van Zyl and produced by Motion City Films.

The Brand Content category, Direction (90 seconds and under), was won by alumnus Karien Cherry, for her work on Chicken Licken – “Everybody’s Talking”. Fellow alumni Adam Bentel was the DOP on the production. Chicken Licken – “Everybody’s talking” also won the Casting award and Sanlam – “A Whole New World”, also directed Karien Cherry took the Adapted Music award.

The Production Company, ‘They’, founded by alumnus Darren Gordan won three wards with the commercial, Chicken Licken – “Thato the Time Traveller”, winning the Direction (90 to 180 seconds), Production Design and the Styling and Costume Design awards.

The Music Video award was scooped up by alumnus Marc Sidelsky for the video Dearly Beloved – “Close Encouter” and the No Logo award was taken by The Star Film Company, founded by alumni Adam Thal and Tristan Holmes for “Spoko (Ghost)”.  

CICLOPE Africa is the first African award show fully dedicated to craft in moving image. Unlike other events in the region, CICLOPE Africa focuses on the art of execution, rather than the ideas. Execution is as important as the idea, and extremely determinant for the consumer’s experience.

All the winners and the winning pieces automatically become finalists in CICLOPE Festival, the international conference and award show that takes place in Berlin, Germany.