MOSSEL BAY NEWS - After submitting their short travel film on Route 12 to the International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA) in 2025 and securing two finalist nominations, Mossel Bay Tourism brought home two gold awards.
“Our entry ranked among the top 34 films from more than 440 entries worldwide,” says Mossel Bay Tourism’s COO, Lieschke Steven-Jennings.
Alongside the tourism department’s entry, the Mossel Bay-based Skipper Foundation was also nominated as a finalist and ultimately won a silver award.
The nominated short travel films were showcased at The Bannister Hotel in Johannesburg from 2 to 5 June. The event brought together 120 industry leaders, including 20 to 30 international delegates.
According to Mossel Bay Tourism, film production continues to be a significant economic driver.
Of the R8.8b contributed to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) by the film industry last year, R500m was directly spent on tourism-related products and services, “highlighting the powerful link between film and destination marketing”.
Winning a gold award was a rewarding moment for the team behind the Route 12 video. “To see our story resonate on an international platform and be acknowledged among strong global competition was both humbling and inspiring,” said Steven-Jennings.
The video was produced in partnership with various creative professionals and was filmed across a variety of notable locations along Route 12.
A co-founder of the International Tourism Film Festival Africa, James Byrne, and Lieschke Steven-Jennings, COO of Mossel Bay Tourism. Photo: Mossel Bay Tourism
The video’s focus was on showcasing the wide range of experiences in Mossel Bay, including hiking, surfing, ziplining and ocean-based experiences, as well as cultural and heritage attractions, local cuisine, family-friendly activities and the stunning natural landscapes in the area.
“The goal was to demonstrate that Mossel Bay and surrounds offer something for every visitor throughout the year,” said Steven-Jennings. “Mossel Bay is more than a destination, it’s an experience. Platforms like the ITFFA help us share that story with the world.”
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