kykNET Fiësta Glamorous Awards Ceremony
The Fiëstas panel attended every debut production at seven arts festivals (KKNK, Suidoosterfees, Innibos, Vrystaat Kunstefees, Klein-Karoo Klassique, Momentum Beleggings Aardklop and Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees) in 2024. Following an extensive voting process audited by auditors, the winners in fourteen categories were determined and announced on 27 February at a glamorous awards ceremony held at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town.
kykNET also announced that the kykNET Fiëstas will have a new home. After 15 years of management by kykNET, the Tribuo Trust will now coordinate the Fiëstas, with kykNET taking on the role of naming sponsor.
Waldimar Pelser, M-Net Channel Director of Premium Channels, said:
“The decision was made to ensure that the kykNET Fiëstas can continue and flourish as a vibrant celebration of the arts in Afrikaans. kykNET remains the main sponsor and naming sponsor of the Fiëstas.”
“In discussions with the festival directors, kykNET emphasised that we will strengthen our support for the arts festivals in a way that we hope will also make the festivals more sustainable. We look forward to reimagining the new kykNET Fiëstas together with Tribuo and are excited about the road ahead.”
Karen Meiring, Executive Chairperson of Tribuo, said:
“It is an important objective of Tribuo to invest in the future and the sustainability of the entertainment industry’s ecosystem. The kykNET Fiëstas seamlessly align with this goal as the awards recognise and celebrate excellent work. They also encourage crucial audience engagement and honour the people who carry the performing and creative arts. Tribuo looks forward to continuing this project together with kykNET, who remains the naming sponsor.”
Here are the winners for the kykNET Fiëstas for the 2024 festival year:
BEST ACTOR
- Joshwin Dyson – Laaitie mettie biscuits (Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
BEST ACTRESS
- Rolanda Marais – Hedda Gabler (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
- Gerben Kamper – Ons wag vir Godot (Vrystaat Kunstefees)
BEST NEW TEXT
- Philip Rademeyer – Stinkhout (Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
BEST ADAPTATION OR TRANSLATION OF A TEXT
- Naòmi Morgan – Ons wag vir Godot (Vrystaat Kunstefees)
BEST DIRECTION
- Dion van Niekerk – Ons wag vir Godot (Vrystaat Kunstefees)
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN DESIGN
- Rocco Pool – Hedda Gabler (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
BEST FESTIVAL PRODUCTION
- Hedda Gabler (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
BEST ENSEMBLE
- Hedda Gabler (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
BEST CONTEMPORARY MUSIC PRODUCTION
- kykNET-konsert (Innibos)
BEST MUSIC-DRIVEN THEATRE
- Ontban (Suidoosterfees)
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN CLASSICAL MUSIC
- Die groot finale (Momentum Beleggings Aardklop)
BEST ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL ARTS
- Marlene Steyn – Between my i’s: tussen my oë (Toyota Stellenbosch Woordfees)
BEST UPCOMING ARTIST
- Joshwin Dyson – Laaitie mettie biscuits (Momentum Beleggins Aardklop)
The winner of the Blou Fiësta, awarded for commendable work that does not fall into any of the other categories, is the Suidoosterfees project 21. In celebration of the festival’s 21st anniversary, 21 productions were staged, each lasting 21 minutes with a ticket price of R21.
Amanda Strydom and Frank Opperman were honoured for their contributions to the arts. Amanda’s commendation was delivered by Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck, and Frank’s by Dana Snyman.
Kabous Meiring was the MC, and the presenters were Cornelia Faasen, Veronique Jephtas, Gideon Lombard, René Cloete, Nicole Holm, Joanie Combrink, Carel Nel and Waldimar Pelser.
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