Initiated in 1998, The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards is an annual filmmaker competition that supports the South African film and advertising industry. It aims to showcase our professional talent, and to encourage fresh, raw talent to spread worthy messages of hope to viewers, through Public Service Announcements.

In addition, MultiChoice sponsors the flighting of the top Public Service Announcements (PSAs) on selected DStv channels and as a result provides great benefit and exposure to many charities and social development agencies. Workshops are held around the country, equipping and upskilling aspirant filmmakers from disadvantaged backgrounds to encourage their entry into the Awards programme, which often also becomes their springboard to serious success.

In 2004 MultiChoice, along with the Department of Labour and the National Film and Video Foundation, started the Film Skills Development Programme as a means to boost the local film industry by providing entry-level job training for individuals from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. The aim of this programme is to enhance the development of skills in order to promote sustainable transformation of the film industry.

The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards illustrates MultiChoice's commitment to the development of the nation through social innovation and investment.

The awards programme comprises two spheres: The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards competition and the Film Skills Development Programme.

The MultiChoice VUKA! Awards
Introduced in 1999, the MultiChoice VUKA! Awards is the company's flagship corporate social investment (CSI) project. These awards are a platform to reward and nurture South Africa’s filmmaking talent while providing much-needed exposure to social causes and charities through the use of Public Service Announcements (PSAs). Aspirant filmmakers submit over 200 PSAs of worthy causes into the competition each year.

MultiChoice flights an average of 60 free charity commercials per year, with the top 30% of VUKA! Awards PSA entries broadcast on selected DStv channels; spreading the message of hope to all DStv viewers.

The Film Skills Development Programme
The Film Skills Development Programme runs in tandem with the MultiChoice VUKA! Awards. Made possible through the partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Department of Labour (plus various other industry partners), this programme aims to assist and mentor young advertising and film talents from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who are looking for an opportunity to break into the highly competitive world of commercials.

The programme began in May this year in four major centres across the country: Johannesburg, Durban, Cape Town and Grahamstown. One hundred trainees were divided into groups of ten, each group mentored by seasoned industry professionals. These newcomers were then encouraged to create their own PSAs and enter them in the MultiChoice VUKA! Awards competition.

Supporting organisations include the Commercial Producers Association (CPA), Independent Producers Organisation (IPO), South African Script Writing Association (SASWA), National Television and Video Association (NTVA) and Create SA.

For everyone from advertising and film students, aspirant filmmakers, creative directors, copywriters, or anyone is who passionate about filmmaking, this is your chance to make a difference. Use the format of the PSA to get a positive message across and highlight a worthy cause.