The Writers’ Guild of South Africa (WGSA) takes great pleasure in announcing the finalists for the WGSA Muse Awards 2016, set for 11 February 2017.
 
At the event, performance writers in film, television, radio, stage and new media industries will gather to recognise and celebrate the integral role played by their peers in the South African entertainment industry.
 
Since the inaugural WGSA Muse Awards in 2013, this has become the WGSA’s annual, most celebrated event.  On this occasion the focus is on South African Performance Writers, the cornerstones of our SA film industries.  “An award for writers by writers!”

A record number of entries were received for the WGSA Muse Awards 2016, and we would like to thank all the writers who submitted their scripts for consideration. The judging benchmark for this year has been set high, and entries have now been evaluated by the first round judges.  The top three scripts reaching or surpassing the standard set by the minimum judging criteria will make up the finalists.  These screenplays will proceed to the next phase, where the winners will be selected by a new set of judges, which include big name international writers, agents and Writers’ Guild representatives from around the world.
 
The finalists for the WGSA Muse Awards 2016 are:

The WGSA gratefully acknowledges the hard work of the judges from all industry sectors, who participated in this extensive first round and without whom the WGSA Muse Awards will not happen.  This year, our judges were asked to give at least a paragraph of comments / critique, which will be sent in due course to each of the entrants.
 
First Round Judges:
Ben Johnson, Brigid Olen, David Forbes, Dyllon Campbell, Elsa van Schalkwyk, Eric Bouwer, Francois le Pere, Gershwin Fritz, Helga Barkhuizen, Jabulani Phambala, Jackie Hancke, Jann Acutt, Japie Teunissen, John Hill, Jon Racinskas, Julie Hall, Katleho Ramaphakela, Khobi Ledwaba, Lerato Khnaye, Malcolm Kohll, Maragret Goldsmid, Maruwan Gasant, Liam J Stratton, Matthew Kalil, Mmabatho Montsho, Mogamat Rafeek, Neville Josie, Nick Medupe, Patronella Diedericks (Sello), Pippa Dyer, Rethabile Fanana, Richard Nosworthy, Rosalind Butler, Ryan Yamba, Sanele Zulu, Shirley Johnston, Sihle Hlophe, Takalani Mulaudzi, Theoline Maphutha, Tracey-Lee Rainers, Tshego Monaise, Uga Carlini, Victor Molele. Yolanda Lindeque- Strauss, Yolanda Mogatusi, Zunaid Mansoor

The WGSA Muse Awards ceremony will take place on 11 February 2017 from 17h00 till late at the Market Theatre, Johannesburg.  Tickets for this event are now available at R80 per person and include dinner.