Anant Singh's 'Personal Best' wins Best Thematic Documentary Award at SPORTEL
Anant Singh , HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, Ady Walter and Amal Doghmi (co-directors)
Image: Supplied
In a remarkable achievement for South African cinema, Anant Singh's documentary, Personal Best, has been awarded the prestigious Best Thematic Documentary Award in the Golden Podiums category at the SPORTEL Awards. The accolade was presented during a glamorous gala at the illustrious Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
This award spotlights Singh's relentless dedication to producing content that celebrates sports and the spirit they embody.
Singh expressed his profound joy at the recognition.
“We are delighted that Personal Best has won SPORTEL’s Best Thematic Documentary Award. This is a meaningful acknowledgement for a film which celebrates the spirit and magic of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games—one of the best Games ever staged. Moreover, its being a South African/European co-production makes us very proud.”
Personal Best immerses audiences in the heart of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, following a diverse range of extraordinary athletes as they strive for greatness. The narrative arcs through the relentless speed of Faith Kipyegon on the track, Noah Lyles' electrifying sprints, and Olga Kharlan’s fearless fencing duels. Viewers will also witness Léon Marchand's mastery in the swimming pool and Cindy Ngamba's inspiring journey from refugee to medallist in the boxing ring. The film further captures the talents of badminton stars Huang Yaqiong and Zheng Siwei as well as surfing maestro Jack Robinson.
The documentary is a collaboration between Videovision Entertainment, Distant Horizon, Olympic Channel Services, and features co-direction by Ady Walter and Amal Doghmi, with editing by Doghmi and original music crafted by South African composer Paul Hepker.
Interestingly, the celebrations for Singh didn’t end there. On the same evening, he was also honoured by the International Indian Film Festival Toronto (IIFFT) with the IIFFT Film Person of the Year Award, recognizing his significant contributions to cinema. The occasion marked the festival's 10th anniversary, with Singh’s acclaimed film, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, selected as the opening feature — a testament to his enduring legacy in film and storytelling.
The IIFFT, a not-for-profit cultural organisation, strives to celebrate the richness of Indian cinema across North America, fostering essential cross-cultural connections through the powerful medium of film. It serves as a vibrant platform for storytelling, dialogue, and artistic exchange, emphasising the importance of arts in bridging divides.