South African Film and Television production company Gambit Films was among the winners  at Screen International’s second annual Global Production Awards, held on May 20 at the Mademoiselle Gray d’Albion Plage in Cannes, France.

Gambit’s  globally successful Netflix series “Blood & Water” won the award for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award.

The award-winning series, which has concluded four seasons so far, follows a local teen who uncovers her family’s secret past and navigates the complicated world of a South African high school.

Gambit Films told Callsheet: “We are grateful to the awards team and all their sponsors for bestowing this amazing award on us. On behalf of all the talented crew and cast members of BLOOD & WATER, ‘Thank You !’, we really appreciate being recognised in this way, on this global stage. GAMBIT FILMS dedicates this award to the entire team that has brought this production together and we accept this in honour of THEM!”

The 2024 edition of the Cannes Film Festival is currently taking place in the resort town on the French Riviera.

Other winners in the Global Production Awards include Bafta albert, which received the Special Recognition award. The Bafta-owned organisation offers online tools, training, events, practical guidance and thought leadership to all screen industry professionals with the aim of helping them to identify and act upon opportunities on and off screen that will lead to effective climate action.

Night Country, the fourth season of hit HBO show True Detective, received the Sustainable Production Award (scripted). Created by Issa Lopez, the season starred Jodie Foster, Christopher Eccleston, Fiona Shaw and John Hawkes.

Three awards went to Saudi Arabia: two to Film AlUla, for Emerging Location sponsored by Dallas Film Commission and the Film Commission Award; with a Highly Commended for NEOM in Emerging Location.

Provence Studios, a studio site near Marseille in the south of France that champions ecological practices and has animals including chickens, goats and bees on site, took the Sustainability Initiative Award for its ecological work. UK city Bristol was named City of Film.

List of winners for Global Production Awards 2024 

• City Of Film – Bristol
• Community Impact Award – Fresh Film
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Award – Blood And Water
• Emerging Location Award – Film AlUla; Highly Commended – NEOM
• Film Commission Award – Film AlUla; Highly Commended – Cherokee Film Commission
• Location Of The Year Award – Juvet Landscape Hotel, Norway
• Outstanding Use of Locations – Troll
• Physical Production Innovation Award – CAMA AssetCycle: Innovating Circularity
• Special Recognition – Bafta albert
• Studio of the Year – Sunset Studios, US
• Sustainability Initiative Award – Ecology, Provence Studios
• Sustainable Production Award (Scripted) – True Detective: Night Country
• Sustainable Production Award (Unscripted) – A League Of Their Own
• Virtual Production Innovation Award – Oracle Red Bull Racing Campaign