Draft:Penguin Films
Penguin Films is a South African film and television production company based in Cape Town, noted for its work in feature films, long-form drama and comedy and educational programming. Established in the 1990s, it has achieved both local and international acclaim, with multiple award-winning productions across film festivals, television award ceremonies and children’s programming.
| Company type | Film and television production company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Film, television |
| Founded | 1990s |
| Founder | Roberta Durrant |
| Headquarters | Cape Town, South Africa |
| Products | Feature films, television series |
| Website | https://www.penguinfilms.co.za |
History
[edit]Founded in the early 1990s, Penguin Films first gained prominence with its groundbreaking democracy-education series Khululeka, commissioned by the Matla Trust and broadcast between 1994 and 2009. The series was designed to inform South Africa’s first-time voters on democratic principles following the end of apartheid.
In collaboration with the Wits University's Centre for Applied Legal Studies, Penguin Films produced Future Imperfect (1993–2000), a talk show hosted by Professor Dennis Davis profiling South African leaders in exile.
Over the ensuing decades, Penguin Films expanded into feature-film production and long-form television, forging partnerships with local broadcasters such as M-Net, kykNET, South African Broadcasting Corporation and international networks including Disney Channels and Showmax.
Filmography
[edit]Feature Films
[edit]- Inside Out (1998) – Distributed by Ster Kinekor and Icon Entertainment
- Skilpoppe (2004) – Premiered as M-Net Movie of the Month
- Felix (2013) – Distributed by Off the Fence; sold to the UK Italy, Turkey, Australia and most of Africa
- Ingoma (2016) – Won six SAFTAs, including Best Made-for-TV Movie
- Krotoa (2017) – Distributed by Shoreline Entertainment (USA)
Television
[edit]Drama series
[edit]- Saints and Sinners (Seasons 1–3) – Mzansi Magic/M-Net
- Rng of Lies – M-Net telenovela
- Sara se Geheim – kykNET
- Home Affairs – SABC (International Emmy nominations; Golden Rose special mention; Banff finalist)
- Sokhulu and Partners – SABC (International Emmy nominations)
- Ambitions – eTV
- Isikizi – Mzansi Magic
- Z’bondiwe – eTV
- Izingane Zobaba
- Montana
- Shreds and Dreams
- Forced Love – SABC
Children’s programming
[edit]- Disney Cookabout – Co-production with The Walt Disney Company; broadcast on SABC and Disney Channels in the UK, South Africa, Turkey and Greece. It won the 2017 SAFTA for Best Children’s Programme; nominated for the 2017 International Emmy Kids Awards
Sitcoms
[edit]- S'gudi Snaysi (It’s Good, It’s Nice) – SABC
- Going Up (Seasons 1–4) – SABC
- About Us – SABC
- Madam & Eve (Seasons 1–3) – eTV
- SOS – eTV
- Fishy Feshuns
- Going Up Again
- Mazinyo dot Q
- Stokvel – various seasons on SABC/eTV
Awards and nominations
[edit]Film awards
[edit]Best Film Awards
- Harlem International Film Festival: Best Film
- Montreal International Black Film Festival: Best Narrative Feature
- Depth of Field International Film Festival: Best of Show
- IndieFEST Film Awards: Best of Show
- Accolade Global Film Competition: Award of Excellence Special Mention ( Women Filmmakers)
- World Woman Awards: World Platinum Award
- Filmmakers World Festival: Diamond Award
- International Film Festival for Women, Social Issues and Zero Discrimination: Award of Excellence
- International Movie Awards: Platinum Award
- Felix
Awards and accolades
- TIFF Kids Young People’s Jury Award: Best Feature Film Audience Choice
- Durban International Film Festival: Lucas Award (2013)
- Frankfurt Lucas Film Festival: Lucas Award
- Cinekid Audience Award: Best Film
- Pan African Film Festival (Amsterdam Awards): Best Film
- Tumbleweeds Festival (USA): Audience Award
- European Youth Film Festival (Belgium): Best Film
- Ale Kino Festival (Poland): Best Feature Film
Television awards
[edit]Awards and nominations
- SAFTA Wins:
- Best Made-for-TV Movie: Ingoma (2016)
- Best Children’s Programme: Disney Cookabout (2017)
- Best Ensemble TV Comedy (2010, 2012)
- Best Editing for Drama (2016)
- Tempo Award
- Best Television Series: Sara se Geheim (2018)
- International Emmy nominations: Home Affairs (2006, 2007), Sokhulu and Partners (2009) and Stokvel (Sitcom category, 2004)
- Rose d’Or Awards
- Special Mention: Home Affairs (2007)
- Bronze Rose: Madam & Eve (2002)
- Banff World Media Festival
- Finalist: Home Affairs (2007)
Other productions
[edit]- Arendsvlei:
- 156-episode Afrikaans telenovela for kykNET & kie (transmission commenced 1 October 2018)
- Die Sentrum:
- First original Afrikaans telenovela for SABC 2
- Love, Lies and Hybrids: Made-for-TV feature for M-Net and Showmax