Kulu’s Journey warmed our hearts and shared the plight of one of the world’s most fascinating and most trafficked mammals – the pangolin. Now it has just won big at the National Film & TV Awards!
Pretoria, South Africa (27 November 2025) – Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey has officially won Best Documentary at the 2025 National Film & TV Awards (NFTA).
It’s a well-deserved win for the makers of the doccie, who in 2021 scooped an Oscar and BAFTA for another locally-made gem, My Octopus Teacher.
It’s also a big moment for the team who are working to protect pangolins.
The African Pangolin Working Group (APWG) were central to Kulu’s rescue and rehabilitation. Kulu was rescued from traffickers in a sting operation, and the documentary follows the story of the seven months he spent recovering under the care of pangolin walker Gareth Thomas and the APWG team.
It also shows what’s at stake.
Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal on Earth, and the work that groups like the APWG do is crucial. Kulu’s story helped shine a light on the plight of the species by raising global awareness and support for pangolin conservation.
In doing so, it helped establish The Pangolarium, SA’s first dedicated pangolin veterinary and rehabilitation facility.
“This powerful film has opened countless hearts to the wonder of pangolins and the urgent need to protect them. Congratulations to the entire team behind the documentary that worked tirelessly to tell his story, this recognition so well-deserved. Thank you for helping pangolins be seen, understood, and protected.
We are deeply grateful for the continued spotlight on these extraordinary animals. Every story told, every award earned, and every viewer reached helps strengthen conservation efforts across the continent.” shared the African Pangolin Working Group.
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Two Adorable Little Fox Pups Rescued Near Vryheid!The awards evening took place at the Opera Theatre in Pretoria, and it honoured SA’s biggest legends in local entertainment.
Our beloved Dr John Kani received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Special honours also went to Leon Schuster, Alfred Ntombela, Sello Maake KaNcube and Dr Jerry Mofokeng for their Outstanding Contribution to Film & TV.
Here’s the full list of NFTA 2025 Winners:
- Best Actress in a TV Series – Zenande Mfenyana (Inimba S1)
- Best Supporting Actor – Film – Francois Jacobs (Khaki Fever)
- Best Newcomer – Thandolwethu Zondi (GO! S1)
- Best Scripted TV Series – Shaka iLembe S2
- Best Female TV Personality – Londie London (Real Housewives of Durban)
- Best TV Presenter – Devi Govender (The Devi Show)
- Best Comedian – Celeste Ntuli
- Best Competition Show – Big Brother Mzansi S5
- Best Entertainment Show – Real Housewives of Durban S5
- Outstanding Performance – Wiseman Mncube & Zamani Mbatha (Shaka iLembe S2)
- Best Feature Film – The Heart Is A Muscle
- Best Producer – Desiree Markgraaff & Nomzamo Mbatha (Shaka iLembe)
- Celebrity Personality of the Year – Lawrence Maleka
- Best Production Company – Quizzical Pictures
- Best Television/Streaming Network – Showmax
- Best Non-Scripted TV Series – Young, Famous & African
- Best Documentary – Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey
- Best TV Drama Series – Skeem Saam
- Best Afrikaans TV Series – Binnelanders
- Best Podcast – Open Chats
- Best Current News Program – Expresso Show
- Best Actor in a TV Series – Clint Brink (Kings of Jo’burg S3)
- Best Supporting Actress – Film – Loren Loubser (The Heart is a Muscle)
- Best Actress – Film – Anel Alexander (Semi-Soeter)
- Best Supporting Actress – TV – Angela Sithole (Empini)
- Best Director – Angus Gibson (Shaka iLembe S2)
- Best Male TV Personality – Sweet Guluva
- Best Supporting Actor – TV – Sphamandla Dhludhlu (Marked S1)
- Best Actor – Film – Keenan Arrison (The Heart Is A Muscle)
- Best African International Film – Meet the Khumalos (Netflix)
Sources: Linked above
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