Traditionally, the awards celebrated stand-up comedy, but new times bring new opportunities to celebrate more, and in a bid to take the awards appeal to a broader audience and become a household name, the SCCCA team are introducing new categories. Comedic content creators and ad agencies can now also join the esteemed list of Comedic Greats! This year, the awards are truly celebrating comedy in all forms.
With the awards’ 9th instalment taking place in 2019, it was touch-and-go whether it would be able to revive itself after the realities of Covid, especially as iconic comedy clubs closed their doors and stand-up comedians adapted to a new performance arena… online.
And now, 24 months later, and a whole lot of hard work behind the scenes, the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards is back, with a (slightly) new name (including comedy in the title), new categories, a new voting system, and a new team bringing it all to life!
At the helm of the awards is entertainment marketing agency, One-eyed Jack, the founders of the DStv Content Creator Awards and now the new custodians of the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards.
“We’ve worked on the awards since 2012 with its previous owners and have seen first-hand the difference that it makes to our industry, and to comedians’ careers,” comments Manuela Dias de Deus, Managing Director of One-eyed Jack. “By taking the reins, our aim is to rebuild the platform, to support new talent and to profile and celebrate industry icons. We’re doing our bit to help SA’s incredible talent shine.”
“This decade-long partnership with the SCCCAs has been an important part of Savanna’s support for the local comedy industry that dates back to our premium cider brand’s launch.” comments Kayla Hendricks, Brand Manager of Savanna Cider. “This platform allows Savanna to continue to uplift a nation through humour by celebrating the iconic SA comedians that keep South Ahh laughing. The Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards is platform to showcase long standing, and up-and-coming local talent, and to collaborate on how the industry grows and becomes a sustainable livelihood for these talented comedians.”
Each winner will receive a stunning Waldo statuette (Waldo is the name of the trophy), and a prize hamper worth R5,000.
There are 12 exciting categories but only seven weeks to enter, so if there’s a category for you, enter now at www.comicschoice.com
| NEW FORMATS: TAKING THE AWARDS MAINSTREAM | SPECIFICALLY FOR STAND-UP |
| UpLIFTing Comedy*For the best piece of upLIFTING comedy. | Best Stand-Up Show Award |
| Burn of the Year Award*For any tactical piece of content/social commentary. | Best Comedy Festival / Show Award |
| Funny Influencer Content For the funniest influencer content, nominated by the comedy industry. | Savanna Newcomer Award |
| Funny is Funny*If comedians think it’s funny, it’s funny. For the funniest ad in SA. | Breakthrough Act of the Year Award* |
| Comedian of the Year Award | |
| Non-English Award | |
| The Hall of Fame Award |
*Awards marked with an asterisk will go out for public voting once the nominees are announced in March 2023.
Key dates:
- Entries close on Sunday 8 January 2023. There are no extensions this year unfortunately.
- The Savanna Newcomer Showcase will take place in February 2023 and the awards will take place in April 2023 in Johannesburg.
In keeping with the legacy of the awards, each winner will do a few minutes of comedy instead of an acceptance speech, and there will also be variety show sketches in the mix.
Limited tickets will be available to the public, pre-register on www.comicschoice.com to get first dibs when they go on sale.
Keep your eyes on the event’s social media platforms for updates and for exciting competitions from LIFT and One-eyed Jack.
Ends.
Now in its 10th year, The Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards is the most successful, longest-running comedy awards platform in Africa. The gateway to the industry in SA and on the continent, winning a ‘Waldo’ is one of the pinnacles of a comedian’s career. It’s also the one night that the entire comedy industry can all be together, so it’s the party of the year!
Savanna promotes responsible drinking. Not for persons under 18.
For more information, follow Savanna’s social media channels or go to www.savanna.co.za
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About Savanna – “It’s dry, but you can drink it.”
Savanna is a premium, crisp apple cider with a distinctive dry taste. It is one of the largest cider brands in the world and is available in over 60 countries. Since its launch in 1996, Savanna Premium Cider has won consumers’ hearts and funny bones with its intelligent, dry and witty sense of humour.
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