Cape Town Tourism (CTT) has achieved international recognition after scooping three Gold Awards at the International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA).

The awards ceremony, held on Wednesday 10 June, saw CTT take top honours in three categories: Gold for Go All Out Cape Town (Pride Tourism), Gold for My Cape Town: Armani “Mr Poppins” Minani (Best Episode of a Tourism Campaign), and Gold for My Cape Town (Best Tourism Campaign 2026).

Major achievement

Founded in 2019 by Caroline Ungersbock and James Byrne, the ITFFA is the only festival of its kind on the African continent.

It recognises excellence in tourism-related film and video content across platforms, from broadcast commercials and documentaries to social media campaigns and destination storytelling.

Cape Town Tourism’s Chief Marketing Officer, Briony Brookes, said the awards affirm the city’s commitment to authentic storytelling. “Three Gold Awards at the ITFFA, this is everything,” she said.

Brookes added that the campaigns are rooted in real people rather than idealised imagery. “Go All Out Cape Town and My Cape Town weren’t built around postcard moments but around people — the grit, the warmth, the complexity that makes Cape Town unlike anywhere else on earth.”

Team effort

She said the recognition belongs not only to the creative teams but also to residents who shared their stories. “This one’s for every Capetonian who appeared in front of our cameras and trusted us with their story.”

James Vos, Mayco member for economic growth and tourism at the City of Cape Town, said the achievement strengthens the city’s global tourism position.

He described the awards as a “powerful endorsement” of strategic investment in destination marketing. According to Vos, campaigns of this calibre help drive international interest, increase visitor numbers, and support jobs across the tourism value chain.

“Tourism remains central to Cape Town’s economic growth strategy,” he said, adding that the focus now is on expanding the benefits of tourism to more communities and converting interest into bookings and economic opportunity.

ITFFA co-founder Caroline Ungersbock praised Cape Town Tourism for its authentic approach to storytelling, saying the campaigns stood out for their emotional depth and clarity of message.

“From the bold energy of Go All Out Cape Town to the deeply human storytelling of My Cape Town, their films captivated audiences and judges alike,” she said.

Festival director James Byrne added that Cape Town Tourism had set a new benchmark for the industry. He said the organisation “knows who it is, tells its story with confidence, and delivers it with world-class creative execution.”

The ITFFA recognises outstanding tourism films that inspire global audiences to explore destinations. Cape Town’s triple gold victory positions the city not only as a sought-after travel destination but also as a leader in how places are creatively and authentically represented on the global stage.

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