This is probably the most important project I have worked on in my career. I met Selinah when she was a days away from death and in the 3 months that we filmed her, I saw her transform before my very eyes, as the HIV related illnesses that were ravaging her body were brought under control with the miracle of ARV treatment. The Topsy Foundation brought hope and the promise of a future to over 3000 people living in extreme poverty. Selinah is just one of their success stories.
The Lazarus Effect is the dramatic effect that ARV medication can have on very sick patients with HIV. In just 90 days they can be restored to health and given a second chance at life. We saw this happen before our very eyes. This is Selinah's story.
Credit goes to the directing genius of Kim Geldenhuis of Egg films.
Credits: Stephanie Van Niekerk, Bridget Johnson, Fran Luckin, Vidette Kay, Debbie Dannheisser and so many more.
The commercial that told this story to the world was the 12th most awarded commercial of 2010 according to The Gunn Report. Little Black Book named 'Selinah' as one of the top 10 ads of the decade.
Other awards include:
2011 Apex Awards – Bronze
2011 Andy Awards – Gold- TV over 30 secs
2011 Andy Awards – Gold- Original Music
2011 Best of Ogilvy Red Lion - Special Ogilvy award at Cannes
2011 WPP Whipped Cream Awards – Gold
2011 One Show – Gold Pencil – Film and cinema (SA first)
2010 Cannes Gold Film Lion
2010 Cannes – Shortlist – Grand Prix for Good
2010 Cannes – Shortlist – Film
2010 Cannes – Shortlist – Film Craft – Original Music
2010 Clios – Bronze – TV
2010 Clios Finalist – TV
2010 LIAA – Grand LIA - (SA first)
2010 LIAA –Gold – TV & Cinema
2010 LIAA – Gold – Original Music
2010 LIAA – Finalist – TV and Cinema
2010 LIAA – Finalist – Original music
WPP Whipped Cream award - Creme de la Creme
2010 Gold Pendoring – Truly South African
2010 Gold Loerie – TV and Cinema
2010 Gold Craft Loerie – Directing
2010 Gold Craft Loerie – Editing
2010 Pendoring Finalist – Truly South African
2010 Loeries Finalist – TV and Cinema
2010 Loeries Finalist - Craft – Original music
2010 Loeries Finalist – Craft – Direction
2010 Loeries Finalist – Editing
2010 Vuka Awards – Best Overall
2010 Vuka Awards – Best Concept
2010 Vuka Awards – Best Script
2010 Vuka Awards – Best Original Music
2010 Vuka Awards – Best Directing
2010 Vuka Awards – Best Editing
2010 Shots – Topsy “Selinah”
2010 January Creative Cirlce Ad of the month – TV – 1st