The Royalty Soapie Awards is an annual South African awards ceremony created by Winnie Modise which recognises achievement in South African soapie productions by honouring, celebrating and promoting creativity, quality and excellence from all major players, including actors, make-up artists, writers, producers, directors and costume designers.
The first annual awards took place at the Durban International Convention Centre on Saturday 8 March 2014. The awards have not yet been televised.
About the Awards
With soap operas being amongst the most watched television programmes in South Africa it was felt that it was time that both the on-screen and the behind-the-scenes personnel of South Africa's soap opera productions should be acknowledged.
The Royalty Soapie Awards seek to honour, celebrate and promote creativity, quality and excellence among South African soapie productions.
More than just an opportunity for the industry to come together and celebrate, the Royalty Soapie Awards aim to help grow the quality of local programming by creating a new level of healthy competition.
In terms of the judging process, the Royalty Soapie Awards steering committee selects judges with an affinity for the arts and experts in the TV production industry, photographers, actors, TV and radio personalities and the entertainment media.
In addition to the judged categories there is one public voting category for the Most Popular Soapie of the Year.
To honour the players who have helped grow the soap opera industry, the awards steering committee also award a Lifetime Achievement Award to a pioneering performer.
The Royalty Soapie Awards partners include the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Department of Arts and Culture and the City of Durban.
The categories for The Royalty Soapie Awards are:
LEAD ROLES
Outstanding Lead Actor
Outstanding Lead Actress
Outstanding Male Villain
Outstanding Female Villain
Outstanding Soapie
SUPPORTING ROLES
Outstanding Supporting Actor
Outstanding Supporting Actress
Outstanding Couple
Oustanding Newcomer
CREATIVE AWARDS
Outstanding Make-Up & Hair
Outstanding Set Design
Outstanding Writing Team
Outstanding Wardrobe
TECHNICAL AWARDS
Outstanding Art Direction
Outstanding Directing Team
Outstanding Editing Team
Outstanding Casting Director
Outstanding Lighting
PUBLIC VOTE CATEGORIES
A Most Popular Soapie Of The Year
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
A Lifetime Achievement