Curro Create’s #Acting4Film Shines Spotlight on Future Stars at Premiere
29 September 2025Curro Create’s #Acting4Film project culminated in a red carpet screening and awards ceremony at Curro Durbanville High School’s theatre on Saturday, 27 September 2025. The event celebrated the Top 15 learners, selected from 409 entries across three categories, with an evening styled to mirror a professional film premiere.
Morgan Bell, Curro Century City, arriving on the blue carpet. Photos by Ilonka Gray.
A full evening experience
Guests were welcomed on a Curro blue carpet and posed for official photos by photographer Ilonka Gray. Behind-the-scenes footage from the learners’ Atlantic Studios shoots played in the foyer, while branded popcorn and non-alcoholic bubbles added to the festive atmosphere. After Hennie van Greunen, Head of Curro Create, opened the evening with words of welcome, the finalists’ showreels were screened. Hennie reminded the audience: ‘In a world that seems to be increasingly geared towards AI and automation, nothing could be more important than learning how to be wholly human. The arts teach us this.’
Celebrating learner achievement
Short video messages from adjudicators Nadia Valvekens, Christo Davids and Nico Scheepers introduced each category before the interval, which featured Curro Create-branded cupcakes and coffee. Actress and director Nina Swart then hosted the awards ceremony. The finalists received certificates, personalised mementos, and trophies created by South African artist John Skotnes.
Category winners:
- YoungStars (Grades 4–7): 1st – Judi Hattingh (Curro Durbanville), 2nd – Annabella Stam (Curro Durbanville), 3rd – Lilibeth Bazuin (Windhoek Gymnasium)
- Rising Stars (Grades 8–10): 1st – Leah Nefussy (Windhoek Gymnasium), 2nd – Grace Lynch (Curro Durbanville), 3rd – Lynda Smith (Curro Durbanville)
- The Stars (Grades 11–12): 1st – Nina Dippenaar (Curro Durbanville), 2nd – Inge Dippenaar (Curro Durbanville), 3rd – Morgan Bell (Curro Century City)
Curro Create annual awards:
- Actor of the Year: Judi Hattingh (Curro Durbanville Primary School)
- Teacher of the Year: Hanlie Meyer (Curro Durbanville Primary School)
- Special Award for Continuous Support: Kenneth Checkley (HeronBridge College)
Teacher of the Year: Hanlie Meyer (Curro Durbanville Primary School) with Curro’s deputy CEO, Mari Lategan.
Special Award for Continuous Support: Kenneth Checkley (HeronBridge College) – award accepted by two HeronBridge learners, Blake and Sabelo. Standing with them is Mari Lategan.
Voices behind the project
Penny Youngleson, Creative Head of Curro Create, described the evening as ‘very learner-centric, which is our heart. The learners are always top priority, and we tried to make them feel as special as possible.’ Penny added: ‘As wonderful as it is to shoot at Atlantic Studios, we wanted the event itself to match that quality. It was an important way to showcase our learners’ work and to celebrate what we love doing – telling stories.’
Hennie reflected on the broader value of the arts: ‘Being able to climb inside someone’s experience, to become them (even if only to shoot a scene), allows us to empathise and be kinder to the world around us. You may not go on to act as a career. But in your job, one day, you will encounter someone who is different from you. And, instead of turning away from that difference you will be able to say “I’ve loved someone like this once in a book, play, film or series… I could love you, too.”’
The Curro Create ‘Dream Team’.
A celebration of future talent
The evening ended with applause that filled the theatre, affirming #Acting4Film as a platform where learners’ voices take centre stage. It highlighted the potential of South Africa’s next generation of performers, who are already stepping into their craft with confidence and skill.
Watch the full performances on Curro Create’s YouTube channel, with dedicated playlists for each category: YoungStars, Rising Stars, and The Stars.