Rapid Blue production scoops prestigious award

Rapid Blue is delighted to announce a Best International Format win for their production Shark Tank South Africa for M-Net, channel 101 on DStv, at the Annual South African Film and Television Awards 2018 (SAFTAs). The series received the Golden Horn, the official SAFTA trophy, at a ceremony in Sun City on Thursday 22th March.

Thuso Mbedu, lead actress in hit drama series Isthunzi which is also produced by Rapid Blue for Mzansi Magic, channel 161 on DStv, was the recipient of the Best Actress in a TV Drama award on Saturday 24th of March.

The SAFTAs are South Africa’s premier film and television industry awards under the custodianship of the National Film and Video Foundation and the winners are chosen by a panel of local TV experts. The Awards’ main objective is to honour, celebrate and promote the creativity, quality and excellence of South African film and television talent, and encourage entrepreneurship and the development of new talent in the industry.

Kee-Leen Irvine, MD and Executive Producer of Rapid Blue, who is currently producing the BBC Studios format Dancing with the Stars SA for M-Net, said, “Rapid Blue is really passionate about entrepreneurship and because Shark Tank is a show that provides a platform for ambition to meet opportunity it’s a real thrill to be able to convert our passion for entrepreneurship into such gripping entertainment – and to receive the recognition from our peers by winning a SAFTA is a real honour!”

During the course of the series over R5 million cash investment was pledged by the Sharks to local entrepreneurs.

Production has begun on Rapid Blue’s next commission, Project Runway South Africa for Mzansi Magic and Ndalo Media. The series will launch in July this year.

Over the years, Rapid Blue has produced a range of hit television series including BBC Studio’s The Great South African Bake Off, Come Dine With Me South Africa as well as SA’s Got Talent, Is’thunzi, The X Factor, Four Weddings and Pawn Stars to name but a few. With this win Rapid Blue continues its trend of producing highly successful local versions of many of the world’s leading formats for South African screens.