The prestigious M-Net VUKA! Awards return in 2010 with a heart-rending theme – “Art in Heart”. M-Net is calling for entries to the continent’s leading Public Service Announcement (PSA) contest with a rallying cry to creatives to “Donate a TV ad”.

South Africa’s local production industry received a boost today, with M-Net’s announcement of a new local content channel, Mzansi Magic, which will show case on screen on the 12 July, 2010. The channel will be available to MultiChoice subscribers on DStv Select, DStv Compact and DStv Premium.

The channel is set to showcase locally produced content with a strong entertainment focus.” This channel has been shaped through dialogue with some of the our most successful actors, musicians, comedians and it is a privilege to be involved with an initiative that will promote local content both in South Africa and globally, “ explains Yolisa Phahle, Channel Director for Mzansi Magic.

The channel will offer a diverse content mix, including local and international feature films, music specials, documentaries and soapies. Programme manager, Lebone Maema says, “Subscribers will be treated to a host of new local programmes which will premiere on Mzansi Magic. These include interactive talk shows hosted by new and established television and radio personalities”.

The channel will also introduce to television the uniquely South African low budget film genre nicknamed “bubblegum cinema”. It will broadcast comedy hits such as Moruti wa tsotsi and Madhluphuthu, which have only been available on DVD to limited audiences.

The channel’s diverse content procurement strategy will provide a solid basis for existing and emerging South African producers and filmmakers to engage M-Net in the licensing and production of local content.

M-Net aims to play its part in stimulating the growth and development of the industry in a sustainable way. “With this channel we want to engage producers and explore possibilities beyond traditional commissioning models. In partnership with South African filmmakers, we will seek to empower emerging talent to produce compelling content with local and universal appeal, but also to ensure that key skills are transferred to the industry,” explains Phahle.

The channel presents an exciting new platform for the South African creative industry, and a new destination for viewers who are interested in proudly South African entertainment.

Released by Dreamcatcher on behalf of M-Net.

For further information and interview requests, please contact:

Marang Setshwaelo
Dreamcatcher
082 559 1802
011 447 5655
Marang@dreammultimedia.co.za

M-Net New Directions is the widely acclaimed filmmaking initiative founded upon the principles of skills development and training. Over its 17 years of existence, the initiative has seen the production of over 50 short films in the African continent with much interest generated through exhibition on M-Net’s services across the continent, and at film festivals across the world.

Originally piloted in South Africa in 1993, over the years, the project has evolved in response to environmental dynamics, M-Net corporate objectives and changes in priorities for the African filmmaking industry. From a corporate perspective, M-Net created the project as a CSI initiative and designed to develop skills in the film and television industry, and has therefore been recognized as a pioneering broadcasting company making a tangible investment in the film and television industry in Africa. M-Net’s CSI projects are now under the M-Net Cares banner.

For more information, email bongiwe.selane@mnet.co.za or palesa.xorile@mnet.co.za