In 2015 two new award categories were introduced and new for 2016 is The Breakthrough Award – awarded to any act in any category who has made a breakthrough during the course of the last 12 months. This year top comedian and TV director, Rob van Vuuren takes the helm to direct what will no doubt be another hilarious variety show made up of sketches, stand-up, impressionists, celebrity performances, choreography and witty one liners delivered by SA’s top comedians.
Here are the 10 Award Categories for 2016:
1. The Savanna Newcomer Of The Year Award Category
The most exciting award when looking at the future of stand-up comedy.
This award is made to the comic who, with a minimum of one year of professional experience, and a maximum of two, has caught the attention of the industry for being gifted with delivery, original and consistent. 20 lucky Newcomers also have the opportunity to perform at the world-class Savanna Newcomer Showcase at the Soweto Theatre.
2. The Savanna Audience Choice Award Category
This is the only category where the public is able to vote, making it a unique Comics’ Choice Award. We acknowledge that the audience is a huge player in the industry, and so every registered comic is eligible, regardless of their experience.
The public is invited to sms votes for their favourite registered comic using codes distributed via our media partner platforms during the voting process.
In order to qualify for this award, a performer would need to have completed 80% of their comedy work within South Africa over the last year.
3. The Intermediate Award Category
This category serves as a much-needed acknowledgement of those comics who find themselves in the “bridge” years between being a Newcomer and an established act with a dedicated fan-base and regular requests for appearances on radio, stage, television and corporate events, as well as their own regular solo shows.
Acts in this category must have a minimum of two years professional experience, and a maximum of four years.
In order to qualify for this award, a performer would need to have completed 80% of their comedy work within South Africa over the last year.
4. The Comic’s Pen Award CategoryAs of 2015, this award was officially opened up to non-registered comics.
This was done to encourage writers/cartoonists to become more involved in writing material for registered comedians, as well as enter their television, stage, printed and film work.
Either a registered comic, or a professional writer who qualify in terms of the relevant rules may enter this category for any work written or drawn that has been sold in the course of the last twelve months.
5. The Flying Solo Award Category
This is a relatively new award, and is made to an artist that has produced a solo stand-up show in the last twelve months. The show must conform to certain conditions to qualify, such as the artist signing a venue lease, offering tickets through a professional ticketing service and having mounted a marketing campaign – for the full criteria, see T’s and C’s.
In order to qualify for this award, a performer would need to have completed 80% of their comedy work within South Africa over the last year.
6. The Lifetime Achiever Recipient (announced 06 July 2016)
This prestigious award is made to an act with 25 years or more experience in comedy. This act is voted as having not only dedicated their lives to comedy, but having made an invaluable contribution to the industry.
The award also qualifies the recipient for their very own “Grilling of a Lifetime” show at Parker’s Montecasino. This is a unique format that makes for a phenomenal, once-off, limited experience for comedy fans.
7. The Best Friend Of Comedy Award Category
Initially created as a special award for the 5th Birthday celebration – the Best Friend of Comedy has been adopted permanently.
This award is made to the individual, group, organization, media platform, brand, agency or other entity that has provided support, facilitated or
championed South African comedy significantly in the last 12 months.
There are special criteria for this award, as contained in the T’s and C’s.
8. The Non-English Award Category
A relatively new award, created to celebrate the mushrooming vernacular comedy genre. Long-seen as an unrepresented form of local comedy, this award goes to the act that performs 80% of their material in local languages other than English.
Only performers who perform 80% of their material in vernacular languages may vote in this category, ensuring that the results truly reflect quality in this genre accurately.
In order to qualify for this award, a performer would need to have completed 80% of their comedy work within South Africa over the last year.
9. The Breakthrough Award Category (NEW)
Having been replaced by the “Intermediate” award in 2015, the Breakthrough Award is back with a new and improved definition.
This award can be made to any act in any category who has made a breakthrough during the course of the last 12 months. This could be a significant radio or television appointment, international exposure or any other such achievement that elevates South African comedy significantly.
To win this award, an act can make a breakthrough in any territory.
10. The Edgars Comic Of The Year Award Category
Many see this as the apex of the CCA’s. The Edgars Comic of the Year is an award made to an act with a minimum of four years professional experience. The award truly reflects the respect and admiration of the comedy industry as a whole. In order to qualify for this award, a performer would need to have completed 80% of their comedy work within South Africa over the last calendar year
Source: Comics Choice Award
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