Showmax, the South African internet TV service, has had an exciting week and it’s all got to do with our favourite kugel Tali Shapiro – the title character from the streaming service’s debut original production ‘Tali’s Wedding Diary’.
This week, the program took home an incredible five SAFTAs this past weekend making it the most awarded comedy of the evening. Tali’s Wedding Diary won Best Comedy, Actress (Julia Anastasopoulos as Tali Shapiro), Directing (Ari Kruger), Cinematography (James Adey) and Editing (Richard Starkey). The mockumentary was also nominated for Best Scriptwriting (Julia, Ari and Daniel Zimbler) and Art Direction (Keren Setton) .
The comedy took the country by storm last year. It follows Julia Anastasopoulos as Tali Shapiro – a self-obsessed Joburg princess who’s moved to Cape Town and is planning her wedding to property-agent fiancé Darren, played by Anton Taylor. Julia says the show was inspired by her own wedding to the show’s director and co-creator Ari Kruger.
The win made Showmax the most awarded broadcaster in the TV comedy category and marked the first time a streaming service had won at the SAFTAs. “When we were making Tali’s Wedding Diary, we joked about winning a SAFTA – it seemed totally crazy given it was our first fully-fledged Showmax Original and all of us were learning as we went,” says Candice Fangueiro, head of content for MultiChoice Connected Video. “Fast-forward and we’re on stage not just winning one SAFTA award but taking home five. I’m still pinching myself.”
Fans have been patiently waiting for the show’s second season and if the five wins weren’t enough of a reason to greenlight a new season, the show zoomed past one million views on Showmax. “Julia and Ari have been amazing partners in bringing to life a character who South Africa has come to love,” says Candice. “Tali’s become bigger than we ever could have expected and this gives us the confidence and appetite to get out there and tell more stories. I’m really grateful to everyone involved – what an incredible outcome.”
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