VELOCITY AND BOUFFANT TAKE A BRONZE EACH AT CANNES

Velocity Films and sister company, Bouffant, each walked away with a Bronze Lion at last week’s Cannes Film Awards.

Velocity was awarded for the much-loved Allan Gray “Legend” commercial directed by Keith Rose which was created by King James Cape Town. Bouffant received metal for Black River F.C.’s hilarious “So Backwards” spot for 1st for Women Insurance which was directed by Dean Blumberg.

Comments Velocity founding partner and executive producer, Barry Munchick, “We are really delighted two have walked away with two awards this year, particularly when there were only three awards given for South African work in total.”

VELOCITY AND BOUFFANT SHORTLISTED FOR 12 CANNES FILM AWARDS

Velocity Films and sister-company Bouffant have been shortlisted for no fewer than 12 Film Awards at this year’s Cannes Film Lions.
Three Velocity directors are in the running for metal:
· Keith Rose – Allan Gray “Legend”
· Anton Visser – Stimorol “New Guy”
· Greg Gray – Tetrapak “Roy Sullivan”

Bouffant had a whopping nine spots make the cut at the shortlist stage. Included amongst those were:

Erik van Wyk –
Medal Paints “Cat”
Medal Paints “Knickers”
BP 2010 World Cup “Café Owners vs. Mamas”
BP 2010 World Cup “Car Guards vs. Boytjies.”

Dean Blumberg – 1st for Women Insurance “So Backward”

Fringe director Chloe Coetsee had four of her Apartheid Museum commercials shortlisted for an award.

Comments by Velocity Films founding partner and executive producer, Barry Munchick, “We are obviously thrilled to have so many Film finalists, especially for our young directors at Bouffant and Fringe. The fact that we have so many directors shortlisted is testimony to the level of excellence amongst our directors and we are extremely proud to have them produce work under the Velocity and Bouffant names.”

The final awards will be handed out this Saturday night at the Cannes Film Lions Ceremony.

ANTON VISSER TAKES BRONZE AT ONE SHOW AWARDS

Velocity Films is proud to announce that director Anton Visser has scooped a Bronze Pencil at the prestigious One Show Awards in New York. The 35th running of the One Show was a traditionally stingy affair with Anton’s work being the only South African TV commercial awarded on the night. He picked up his pencil for the much-loved Chicken Licken “Singing Burger” commercial done for Net#work BBDO Johannesburg.

VELOCITY APPOINTS HANA MATTAR

Velocity Films has appointed Asian producer, Hana Mattar to market the company and its directors in Asia.

Born and raised in Singapore, Mattar has 14 years of experience in advertising and TV production in Asia during which time she has, amongst other things, produced television commercials, documentaries, promos and magazine programs.

Mattar will be based in Singapore and will travel to Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam and other Asian territories to further Velocity’s business interests with the agencies and their co-production partners in these countries.

GREG GRAY SCORES TWO FINALISTS AT CLIO'S

Velocity Director, Greg Gray has been listed amongst this year’s Clio Finalists in the Television Category.

Grey has two commercials up for awards: one for Direction for Lowe Bull’s Tetrapak “Lightning” and the other for Cinematography for Guinness “Scout” by Saatchi Cape Town.

Velocity Sponsors 2010 Cannes Lions Films

Velocity is proud to announce that they are sponsoring the Film Category of the 2010 Cannes Lions. Through the Cannes link Velocity aims to generate more focus on our company and the good work we do in South Africa.

Velocity Ranked 13 worldwide by Gunn Report

Velocity has been ranked number 13 amongst the top 25 Production Companies Worldwide in the latest Gunn Report. This is based on points accumulated at the awards festivals round the globe. This is the second year in a row that Velocity has been featured in the Gunn Report. www.velocityfilms.com

JWT CAPE TOWN AND VELOCITY WIN D&AD PENCIL

JWT Cape Town conceptualized a brand campaign for Velocity Films and the cinema ad has won a D&AD pencil. The ad is hinged on the idea that Velocity is always seeking to attract the most creatively driven people. This is in keeping with Velocity’s philosophy of employing the best creative minds at all levels and in line with the company’s brand statement It’s about the work. The success of the idea has allowed it to translate into various other mediums such as print and experiential with plans for new media developments. The ad was conceptualized by Conn Bertish , Brenton Bubb and Stuart Mcreadie, according to Executive Creative Director Conn Bertish, “

Keith Rose wins Director of the Year 2009

Keith Rose has won TV Commercials Director of the Year at the AdReview awards held in Kyalami. Rose won on the success of Allan Gray “Beautiful” along with Sony Bravia “Pyramids” and Sasol “Questions” with a combined total of eleven awards including a Cannes Silver and the Loeries Grand Prix. Last year’s winner Greg Gray was placed second. Four of the top five directors are with Velocity including Anton Visser in fourth place and Adrian de sa Garces being placed fifth. Barry Munchick and Peter Carr have also been recognized by a panel of AdReview judges as part of South Africa’s Top 30 most powerful and influential media figures.

Velocity features in the Gunn Report

Greg Gray’s commercial for MTN “Clap” and director Keith Rose’s Allan Gray “Beautiful” have both been featured amongst the world’s top commercials in the latest Gunn Report. Now in its 10th year, The Gunn Report continues to be the leading compilation of the world’s most awarded advertising work and is likened to advertising’s Holy Grail.

Grand Prix win at Loeries 2008

This year’s Loeries Judging Committee awarded the craftsmanship and masterful storytelling of Allan Gray “Beautiful” with the Grand Prix for TV, Keith Rose won four Golds a Bronze and three Craft Certificates. Rose won Gold for Allan Gray in the TV category along with cinematography and direction. Rose also won Gold for direction for Sasol “Questions”. Adrian de sa Garces won Gold in the TV category for Vodacom “We’ve been having it” whilst Anton Visser won four Silvers and two Bronzes for Kulula.com, Trees for Africa, Robertsons Chicken Spice and Energizer.

Velocity wins at Cannes 2008

Velocity wins a silver lion at Cannes for Allan Gray “ Beautiful” and a bronze lion for MTN Clap Velocity had four shortlists including Sony “Threads” directed by Keith Rose and Energizer “Lights out” directed by Anton Visser. Whilst partner company Bouffant had a shortlist for Anti Piracy directed by Marc Sidelsky.

MTN "Clap" wins at Clios

MTN ‘Clap’ has won two Bronze Clio Awards in the television category for Cinematography and Direction. The ad was conceptualized by MetropolitanRepublic/The Jupiter Drawing Room, directed by Greg Gray of Velocity Films with cinematography by Paul Gilpin.

MTN "Clap" features in D&AD

MTN “Clap” has been selected to feature in the D&AD Annual as part of the D&AD awards for Editing in the TV and Cinema Crafts category.

MTN Clap is edited by Ricky Boyd of Deliverance and directed by Greg Gray of Velocity Films for MetropolitanRepublic/The Jupiter Drawing Room. The D&AD is considered by many in the advertising industry to be the World’s most stringent awards show and the D&AD Annual is a record of the year’s finest creative work. MTN “Clap” is fast being recognised on the international awards circuit having just being selected as a finalist at the One Show to be held in May in New York. TV & Cinema Crafts Editing In-Book MetropolitanRepublic / The Jupiter Drawing Room (South Africa) MTN “Clap”

Thabo Tragically Killed in a car accident: Thabo Motene 18 September 1972 – 19 September 2009

It’s hard to imagine that just three days ago we were laughing with our very special friend and colleague outside his office just down the corridor celebrating his birthday. And today we mourn his loss.

It is hard to believe what has happened and how, so suddenly that laughter has left us.

Thabo arrived at our door just over seven years ago and he promised us that he was going to become a star director one day. And he became a star. Not only did he prove to us and this industry that a black director could make it in this tough industry at that time, but he also claimed the respect he deserved for the work he achieved. He became the most awarded black director in this country and his work will remain a monument to his achievements.

He had passion, he had energy and most of all he had charm. Everyone he touched, was infected by that charm. He was so sincere, so honest, so kind, so generous, never boastful and forever grateful.

Whilst we mourn this tragic loss, we must also celebrate his success and be grateful for the privilege of being part of his life.

This last two days has been torturous receiving so many calls of compassion from so many people in this industry who loved Thabo not only as a director but for the kind and wonderful man he was. It is testament to his popularity amongst an entire advertising industry. He was a friend to all and an enemy to none.

Our condolences are extended to his family that he spoke so proudly of.

May he never be forgotten.