The 19th annual South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas) has been postponed to March 2026 due to “unforeseen delays.” Originally scheduled for October 2025, the awards were shifted following organisational changes and a renewal period within the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), as stated by the organisers. The exact date of the event will be announced by December 2025, with final judging set for January 2026.
Organisers are seeking a suitable venue in Johannesburg to host the awards. Once the judging process is finalised, the announcement date for the nominees will also be determined.
According to a statement, the decision to reschedule results from leadership changes within the NFVF and the accompanying unforeseen delays. These changes have allowed for a broader scope of organisational renewal. The NFVF recently appointed an acting CEO to participate in this leadership transition.
This transformation presents an opportunity to enhance governance, refine our strategic goals, and strengthen the NFVF’s role as the guardian of the Saftas. The new date aligns with the international awards calendar, allowing South African talent to be recognised alongside major global film and television honours.
Organisers emphasised that this adjustment will help ensure the event is consistently marked in the industry calendar each year, aiding in better planning for the future. This year’s ceremony theme is “One Story. One Industry. One Future – Celebrating South Africa’s Screen Legacy, Together,” honouring the resilience, unity, and creativity of the local film and television community.
