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LELETI KHUMALO AND “YESTERDAY” RECEIVE WOMEN’S IMAGE NETWORK AWARD NOMINATIONS

Leading local actress, Leleti Khumalo has received yet another international recognition with a Women’s Image Network Award nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Feature Film Category for her role in Yesterday. The other nominees are Rachel Weisz for The Constant Gardner, Sarala for Deepa Mehta’s Water, Lisa Ray also for Water, Helen Mirren in The Queen and Renee Zellweger in Miss Potter. Yesterday was nominated in the Outstanding Feature Film Category and will be competing with The Constant Gardner, Water, Miss Potter and The Queen for the prize.

The Women’s Image Network Awards (WIN Awards) were established in 1993 to celebrate the achievements of outstanding individuals in the entertainment, media and advertising industries who promote gender parity through their creativity and leadership. The WIN Awards are presented in ten film, television and advertising categories and honour the most outstanding film, television and advertising artists, executives and individuals whose tenacity and creativity enable accurate, powerful images of women to reach the broadest audiences and shape public opinion.

“I am thrilled to be nominated with these international stars,” commented Leleti Khumalo. “It is very encouraging for me to be recognised with the best actresses in the world. It is truly amazing that Yesterday, a film in isiZulu has received this much attention around the world. It has given not just me, but our entire industry a huge boost,” continued Khumalo.

Producer Anant Singh commented, “Yesterday is a simple yet, powerful film and it is this simplicity that has engaged audiences around the world. We are proud of the many accolades that the film has received.”

Director, Darrell James Roodt said, “Yesterday is a tribute to the strength of women and I am delighted with these nominations and recognition from the Women’s Image Network.”

Yesterday was the first South African film to receive an Academy Award and an Independent Spirit Award Nomination in the Best Foreign Language Category last year and also received an Emmy Nomination this year. The film also won the prestigious Peabody Award and Gracie Award and other awards won by Yesterday include the Best Film Prize at the Pune International Film Festival in 2005, the Signis Jury Award For Ethical Contribution to Cinema at the Cape Town World Cinema Festival in 2004 and the inaugural Human Rights Film Award at the Venice Film Festival.

The WIN Awards Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, November 1, 2006 at 7pm at The Wadsworth Theatre in Santa Monica.

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