RapidLion - The South African International Film Festival, awards the RapidLion to winning entrants. This award is fated to be the most coveted film prize outside Europe and North America.The RapidLion Award, whose design is a fusion of the Andinkra symbol of excellence and a lioness in full flight is platinum-plated. At 265mm tall, the award is 35mm shorter than the revered Oscar, but a lot more intricate in design. Weighing in at 5.2kg, 1.35kg heavier than the Oscar. It is also manufactured by the Chicago-based R.S. Owens & Company, which has been making the Oscar and Emmy awards since 1983, and has been producing some of the world's most prestigious awards for over 73 years. On completing the final models, the company said of the RapidLion: “This award is one of the nicest pieces we’ve made. Just as beautiful as the Oscar”. ​The RapidLion is designed and manufactured to represent the pinnacle achievement of any filmmaker from Africa, the BRICS countries and the African diaspora. It aims to remind RapidLion film entrants that excellence comes through hard work and ferocious focus, and that these qualities can lead to greatness.

​

A special award is the Lionel Ngakane Lifetime Achievement Award: every year RapidLion celebrates the South African Movie Industry by paying homage to one of the country's great industry players. Read more about the Lionel Ngakane Lifetime Achievement award here.

​