"Hopeville" mini series nominated for two prestigious awards at the 49th International Monte Carlo Television Festival.

Official announcements were made for the 49th Annual Monte Carlo Television Festival this week regarding the nominations of the top international productions to compete at the prestigious Golden Nymph Awards to be held in the principality of Monaco on June 11th. Listed among the international nominations is the locally produced mini series Hopeville, the only African production to be nominated at the festival it is honored with two nominations.

Hopeville's nominations at the 49th Annual Monte Carlo Television Festival include Best Mini-Series and Outstanding Actor for Hopeville's lead actor, Themba Ndaba.

The Monte Carlo nominations for Themba Ndaba and the Hopeville production are an international accolade to the talent of our local actors and an impressive acknowledgement to the high standards of production quality exacted by the Curious Pictures team responsible for the six part mini series. The Hopeville mini series was helmed by director and head writer, John Trengove and features a cast of top South African talent including Desmond Dube, Mary Twala, Jody Abrahms, Fana Mokwena and Terry Pheto.

Strong contenders from all over the world including the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, France, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Germany and our own South African production will be in competition for the coveted Golden Nymph Awards. Last years Golden Nymph for Best Mini Series was awarded to the U.S. television series "John Adams" and Paul Giamatti received the Outstanding Actor award for his role in "John Adams"

The aim of the Monte Carlo Television Festival is to recognize television as an exceptional means of bringing cultures together and enhancing their respective knowledge. The festival has generated worldwide interest and over the years, numerous distinguished celebrities have sat on the successive juries, bringing international recognition to the best of television programming.

Hopeville tells the story of Amos, a reformed alcoholic, on a mission to forge a relationship with his estranged son, Themba. When father and son arrive in the dusty town of Hopeville, they discover a mean little community where apathy, fear and suspicion are the order of the day. When Amos decides to restore the public swimming pool so that his son can pursue a swimming career, he is met with scepticism and resistance from the town's authorities and its inhabitants. Through patience, determination and above all courage, Amos' selfless act ripples through Hopeville, inspiring others to take action and to do what they know is right. Slowly but surely, good ripples through Hopeville, transforming the town and its inhabitants for good. Produced by Curious Pictures, Hopeville is a co-production between Heartlines and SABC Education. The Hopeville mini series forms an integral component of the Heartlines nationwide campaign encouraging South African's to live their values and take positive action.

The Hopeville series was broadcast nationally to South African audiences on SABC2 during March and April 2009 and will be rebroadcast on SABC1 in December 2009. The Hopeville mini series is currently being edited into a feature film to be submitted and screened on the international film festival circuit in 2010.