South African Stories Take Centre Stage as National Film & TV Awards Announces 2026 Nominees

— The National Film & TV Awards South Africa has announced its 2026 nominees, recognising outstanding work across film, television and digital entertainment. The fourth annual ceremony takes place on 19 November 2026 at the Theatre of Marcellus, Emperors Palace, Johannesburg.

This year’s shortlist reflects both local favourites and productions that have reached international audiences. Leading the conversation is The Polygamist (Stained Glass Productions). In August 2026 Netflix reported that the series had accumulated 27.6 million views, reached Number One in 21 countries and entered the Top 10 in 62 countries — the longest Global Top 10 Non-English run for a South African title at the time. The series earns multiple nominations, including Best Scripted TV Series, Best TV Drama Series, and acting nods for Gugu Gumede, S’thandiwe Kgoroge, Kwanele Mthethwa and S’dumo Mtshali.

Strong film contenders include Laundry (Uhlanjululo), 180, Dear Sis Dolly, The Trek, Masinga: The Calling, Black Burns Fast, Love and Wine and Yoh! Bestie. Variations on a Theme filmmakers Jason Jacobs and Devon Delmar are nominated for Best Director.

Television nominees span established hits and newer titles. Blood Legacy, The Four of Us, Critical But Stable, Mpondoland, Inimba and Levels feature prominently across acting and series categories. Standout performers include Sindi Dlathu, Lunathi Mampofu, Tina Jaxa, Bonko Khoza, Thembekile Komani, Wiseman Mncube and Thembinkosi Mthembu. The Best Newcomer category, sponsored by Mentos, highlights emerging talent including Mila Smith (Black Burns Fast), Zekhethelo Zondi (Laundry) and Liyabona Mroqoza (The Last Ranger).

Personality and presenting categories recognise familiar faces such as Bonang Matheba, Minnie Dlamini, Zanele Potelwa, Katlego Maboe and Smash Afrika, while competition and dating shows including Big Brother Mzansi, MasterChef South Africa, Married at First Sight Mzansi and Tropika Island of Treasure also feature.

Public voting is now live via the official NFTA website. Winners will be revealed live at the ceremony on 19 November 2026.

The 4th annual National Film & TV Awards 2026 – Official Nominations Full List:

1. Best Actress in a Film

· Trix Vivier – The Trek

· Didintle Khunou – Dear Sis Dolly

· Shamilla Miller – Masinga: The Calling

· Natasha Thahane – Dear Sis Dolly

· Masali Baduza – Love and Wine

· Katlego Lebogang – Yoh! Bestie

· Esihle Ndleleni – Black Burns Fast

· Sinokuhle Ngubeni – Abafana Ababi 2

· Noxolo Dlamini – 180

· Bukamina Cebekhulu – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)

· S’thandiwe Kgoroge – Dear Sis Dolly

· Zekhethelo Zondi – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)

· Carine Rous – Bride of the Year

· Tumi Morake – Seriously Single Too

· Fulu Modibedi – Seriously Single Too

1. Best Actor in a Film

· Morné Visser – The Trek

· Ntobeko Sishi – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)

· Prince Grootboom – 180

· Hakeem Kae-Kazim – Masinga: The Calling

· Thobani Nzuza – God’s Work

· Rob van Vuuren – The Trek

· Thomas Gumede – Abafana Ababi 2

· Mbulelo Radebe – God’s Work

· Siya Raymond Sepotokele – Yoh! Bestie

· Matli Mohapeloa – Abafana Ababi 2

· Siyabonga Shibe – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)

· Armand Aucamp – Bride of the Year

· Thandolwethu Zondi – Phambili Nge Gwijo

1. Best Actress in a TV Series

· Gugu Gumede – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Sindi Dlathu – The Four of Us (Season 1)

· Lunathi Mampofu – Levels (Season 1)

· Tina Jaxa – Mpondoland (Season 1)

· Xolile Tshabalala – Blood Legacy (Season 2)

· Motsoaledi Setumo – Critical But Stable (Season 1)

· Khabonina Qubeka – Emzini (Season 1)

· S’thandiwe Kgoroge – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Rorisang Mohapi-Grootboom – Kwa Baba (Season 1)

· Mpume “Six” Nyamane – Homecoming (Season 1)

· Winnie Ntshaba – Land of Mills and Money (Season 1)

· Kwanele Mthethwa – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Khabonina Qubeka – Emzini (Season 1)

· Kealeboga Masango – The Four of Us (Season 1)

· Rami Chuene – The Four of Us (Season 1)

· Tsholofelo Matshaba – Nyala O (Season 1)

· Motshabi Tyelele – Emzini (Season 1)

· Andrea Dondolo – Inimba (Season 2)

· Mapaseka Koetle – Nyala O (Season 1)

1. Best Actor in a TV Series – Sponsored by The Luggage Company

· S’dumo Mtshali – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Bonko Khoza – Levels (Season 1)

· Thembekile Komani – Mpondoland (Season 1)

· Wiseman Mncube – Emzini (Season 1)

· Vuyo Biyela – Kwa Baba (Season 1)

· Thembinkosi Mthembu – Homecoming (Season 1)

· Fortune Thobejane – Critical But Stable (Season 1)

· Albert Pretorius – Die Kantoor (Season 1)

· Motlatsi Mafatshe – Nyala O (Season 1)

· Zamani Mbatha – Land of Mills and Money (Season 1)

· Lawrence Maleka – Critical But Stable (Season 1)

· Luzuko Nkqeto – Mpondoland (Season 1)

· Thabo Malema – Critical But Stable (Season 1)

· Muzi Mthabela – Emzini (Season 1)

· Thabiso Ramotshela – Youngins (Season 3)

· Loyiso MacDonald – Inimba (Season 2)

· Mpilo Mbatha – Homecoming (Season 1)

· Themba Ndaba – Land of Mills and Money (Season 1)

· Sisa Hewana – Inimba (Season 2)

1. Best Supporting Actor in a Film

· Jerry Mofokeng – Dear Sis Dolly

· Warren Masemola – 180

· Abdul Khoza – Masinga: The Calling

· Solomon Sebothoma – Dear Sis Dolly

· Fana Mokoena – 180

· Kagiso Modupe – Yoh! Bestie

· Desmond Dube – 180

· Yonda Thomas – Yoh! Bestie

1. Best Supporting Actress in a Film

· Leah Lindeque – The Trek

· Zenobia Kloppers – 180

· Abigail Kubeka – Dear Sis Dolly

· Didie Makobane – Yoh! Bestie

· Danica De La Rey Jones – 180

· Camilla Borghesani – The Trek

· Tracy September – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)

· Altovise Lawrence – Yoh! Bestie

· Laura-Lee Mostert – Bride of The Year

· Buntu Petse – Seriously Single Too

1. Best Supporting Actor in a TV Series

· Kenneth Nkosi – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Kwenzo Ngcobo – Red Ink (Season 1)

· Pallance Dladla – Blood Legacy (Season 2)

· Wonder Ndlovu – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Bheki Mkhwane – Levels (Season 1)

· Sabelo Radebe – Homecoming (Season 1)

· Tabile Tau – Youngins (Season 3)

· Mike Ndlangamandla – Blood Legacy (Season 2)

· Elliot Makhubo – Isibhamu (Season 1)

1. Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series

· Zenande Mfenyana – Inimba (Season 2)

· Rami Chuene – The Four of Us (Season 1)

· Samkelo Ndlovu – Inimba (Season 2)

· Luyanda Zwane – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Lwazie Keith Tsebesha – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Pascaline Phale – The Four of Us (Season 1)

· Nono Mofokeng – Levels (Season 1)

· Lerato Mokoka – Isibhamu (Season 1)

· Nobuhle Mahlasela – Stokvel (Season 1)

· Lerato Marabe – Skeem Saam (Season 15)

· Phumeza Matoti – Inimba (Season 2)

· Mpumi Khuzwayo – Inimba (Season 2)

1. Best Newcomer – Sponsored by Mentos

· Oratile Mmola – Bogaditšong: Sister Wives

· Relebogile Mothapo – Skeem Saam

· Makgomo Mahlangu – Generations: The Legacy

· Nomfundo Radebe – eGagasini: Waves of Change

· Londeka Mkhwanazi – eGagasini: Waves of Change

· Manqoba Khumalo – Emzini: A Family Legacy

· Rico Fourie – Kelders van Geheime

· Mila Smith – Black Burns Fast

· Zekhethelo Zondi – Laundry (Uhlanjululo)

· Liyabona Mroqoza – The Last Ranger

1. Best Scripted TV Series – Sponsored by Khiee23Hair

· The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Blood Legacy (Season 2)

· Critical But Stable (Season 1)

· Mpondoland (Season 1)

· The Four of Us (Season 1)

· Inimba (Season 2)

· Red Ink (Season 1)

· Die Kantoor (Season 1)

· Stokvel (Season 1)

· Kwa Baba (Season 1)

· Youngins (Season 3)

· eGagasini: Waves of Change (Season 1)

· Nyala O (Season 1)

· Isibhamu (Season 1)

· Outlaws (Season 2)

· Amalanga Awafani (Season 2)

· Skeem Saam (Season 15)

· Binnelanders (Season 22)

1. Best Male TV Personality, Sponsored by Channel ONE Africa

· Musa Mseleku – Uthando neS’thembu (Season 9)

· Smash Afrika – Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)

· Lawrence Maleka – Critical But Stable (Season 1)

· TT Mbha – Mzansi Ex-Offenders

· David Mashabela – The King David Studio Podcast

· Fezile Mkhize – Top Billing

· Andrew “Benji” Benjamin – MasterChef South Africa (Season 6)

· Rian van Heerden – Laataand by Rian

· Graeme Richards – Expresso Morning Show

· Katlego Maboe – Deal or No Deal South Africa

· Andile Ncube – Soccerzone

· Moshe Ndiki – Suxoka

1. Best Female TV Personality

· Zanele Potelwa – Tropika Island of Treasure (Season 12)

· Lerato Mvelase – Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)

· Khanyi Mars – HotSpot Seli

· Munaka Muthambi – HotSpot Seli

· Minnie Dlamini – AFCON Daily Show

· Zozibini Tunzi – Top Billing

· Ayanda G Thabethe – Afternoon Expresss

· Kim Jayde – Kickn it with Kim Jayde

1. Best TV Presenter

· Zanele Potelwa – Tropika Island of Treasure (Season 12)

· Smash Afrika – Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)

· Carissa Cupido – Expresso Morning Show

· Khanyi Mars – HotSpot Seli

· Munaka Muthambi – HotSpot Seli

· Penny Lebyane – Eintlek Let’s Connect

· Rian van Heerden – Laataand by Rian

· Graeme Richards – Expresso Morning Show

· Devi Sankaree Govender – The Devi Show

· Pamela Mtanga – VIP Lounge

· Zulu Mkhathini – VIP Lounge

· Kuhle Adams – Expresso Show

· Kyle Clark – Expresso Show

· MaBlerh – The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa

· Fran-Rico Lucas – Eintlek Let’s Connect

· Katlego Maboe – Deal or No Deal South Africa

· Ayanda G Thabethe – Expresso Show

· Kulani Keagile – Reno Race

1. Best Comedian

· Schalk Bezuidenhout

· Vafa Naraghi

· Tumi Morake

· Felix Hlophe

· Trevor Gumbi

· Thabo Malema

· Celeste Ntuli

· David Kau

· Tsitsi Chiumya

· Robby Collins

· Mashabela Galane

· Skhumba Hlophe

· Eugene Khoza

· Loyiso Gola

· Riaad Moosa

· Khanyisa Jam Jam

· Conrad Koch

· Sifiso Nene

· Dillan Oliphant

· Rob van Vuuren

1. Best Competition Show

· Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)

· MasterChef South Africa (Season 6)

· Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)

· Tropika Island of Treasure (Season 12)

· Deal or No Deal South Africa (Season 13)

· Nyama Battle: The Mother City (Season 2)

· The Masked Singer South Africa (Season 3)

· Ultimate Braai Master (Season 9)

· The Taste Master Junior (Season 3)

· Colour Your Plate with KOO (Season 5)

· Boer soek ’n vrou (Season 18)

· Op My Eish! (Season 4)

· The Catch (Season 1)

1. Best Dating Show – Sponsored by Married.Community

· Mageza Wants a Wife (Season 1)

· Date My Family (Season 13)

· Single & Mingle (Season 20)

· Op My Eish! (Season 4)

· Chuz’ Maz’khethela (Season 4)

· Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)

· Boer soek ’n vrou (Season 18)

1. Best Entertainment Show

· HotSpot Seli

· Eintlek Let’s Connect

· Top Billing

· Life with Londie London (Season 1)

· Yash’ingoma (Season 3)

· The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa

· Untied

· Big Brother Mzansi (Season 6)

· Dating #NoFilter South Africa (Season 2)

· Married at First Sight Mzansi (Season 3)

· Expresso Show

· Boer soek ’n vrou (Season 18)

· Nandi & The Rev (Season 2)

1. Best Documentary

· Class of ’96: Rise of a Nation

· What We Know

· Vulindlela

· Ezase Zola

· The Unspoken War

· Bad Behaviour

· Brakpan Chronicles

· Beauty and the Bester

· The People vs VBS

· Die Bom: Die geheime verhaal van Suid-Afrika se kernwapens

· Tweespalt

· Great African Crimes with Mandy Wiener (Season 2)

· The Trials of Winnie Mandela

1. Outstanding Performance, Sponsored by Madepossible.ai

· Prince Grootboom – 180

· Gugu Gumede – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· S’dumo Mtshali – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Mapaseka Koetle – Nyala O (Season 1)

· Khojane Morai – Isibhamu (Season 1)

· Rorisang Mohapi-Grootboom – Kwa Baba (Season 1)

· Didintle Khunou – Dear Sis Dolly

· Noxolo Dlamini – 180

· Kwanele Mthethwa – The Polygamist (Season 1)

· Thembinkosi Mthembu – The Four of Us (Season 1)

· Lawrence Maleka – Future Tense

1. Best Feature Film

· The Trek

· 180

· Laundry (Uhlanjululo)

· Dear Sis Dolly

· Masinga: The Calling

· God’s Work

· Treasure Hunt

· Black Burns Fast

· Love and Wine

· Khaki Fever

· The Smell of Apples (Die Reuk van Appels)

· Yoh