Thank you VSAFF fans!

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What a terrific opening day at the 2013 VSAFF!

There was great support for the films all day long and the gala showing of Material sold out!

Deputy Mayor Tony Tang was on hand to declare April 11-16 South Africa Week in Vancouver, on behalf of Mayor Gregor Robertson.

The South African High Commissioner to Canada, His Excellency Membathisi Mdladlana, spoke beautifully and even sang for us.

The Vancouver Whitecaps kindly donated tickets and a signed jersey, and young defender Ethen Sampson, from Mitchells Plain near Cape Town, was there to present to the winners.

Material was a huge hit and we were thrilled to have on of the actors, Nik Rabinowitz, in the crowd.

Thanks to all our gala sponsors for the delicious food and drinks!

See you again Sunday for four more films, closing at 7 p.m. with Little One, South Africa’s nominee for the best foreign language Oscar.

All proceeds from the VSAFF go to Education without Borders, a fully-volunteer local charity that does educational development work at schools in Gugulethu and the surrounding townships near Cape Town.

 

Gala showing of Material is SOLD OUT

VSAFF fans, thanks for all your support so far. Tonight’s gala showing of Material is a sell out!

Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and there is no priority seating (apologies to pass holders), so please arrive at an appropriate time to get good seats.

There is a slim chance that a handful of tickets could be available at the door right before showtime, but only if other ticket holders don’t show up. We will make that decision around 7:30 p.m. There will be a rush line at the theatre. Please bring cash if you’d like to wait in that line. No promises, sorry.

There are lots of great films all day Sunday, including our closing film, the world premiere of Little One, which was South Africa’s nominee for best foreign language film at the Oscars.

Nik Rabinowitz kicks off VSAFF in style!

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What a great night at Studio 16, VSAFF fans!

Thanks to everyone who came out to laugh and mingle and support the VSAFF and Education without Borders. And, of course, thanks to Nik Rabinowitz, who had the sold out room in stitches.

Thanks, also, to our food and drink sponsors for the event: African Breese, Taste of Africa, Wines of South Africa and Ceres Juices.

If you missed Nik on Thursday, you can still see him on screen Saturday in our gala film, Material.

For pictures of Thursday night’s comedy show, follow us on Facebook!

South African High Commissioner to attend VSAFF

MembathisiMdladlanaHis Excellency Membathisi Mdladlana, South African High Commissioner to Canada, will be the honoured guest at this year’s Vancouver South African Film Festival.

“The attendance of the High Commissioner marks a real step forward for the VSAFF,” said co-founder David Chudnovsky. ”He has been tremendously supportive, as has the South African Department of Arts and Culture.

“The VSAFF is being recognized as an important international venue for highlighting the significance of South African film. We really appreciate his gesture of support. We couldn’t be more delighted.”

In recognition of their support, the VSAFF would also like to thank the South African Minister of Arts and Culture, Paul Mashatile, and Kim Jawanda, Regional Director, North America, for the Department of Arts and Culture. The South African Department of Arts and Culture is a Festival Partner this year.

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“I am delighted to attend the VSAFF,” Mr. Mdladlana said. “The festival is a wonderful way to share the diverse and exciting cultures of South Africa with our friends in Vancouver. The movies this year are inspiring and thought provoking. I encourage everyone to attend.”

This year’s VSAFF runs Sat-Sun, April 13 & 14 at the Djavad Mowafaghian Cinema in the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts, 149 West Hastings.

The award-winning Material, is our gala film on Saturday, followed by a delicious spread of South African food and drink. All proceeds from the VSAFF go to Education without Borders’ projects in South African township schools.

We hope you can join us!

Anton Ernst, producer of Little One, to attend VSAFF

Little One movie

The VSAFF is pleased to announce that Anton Ernst, the producer of our closing film Little One, will attend this year’s festival on April 13 & 14 at the Goldcorp Centre for the Arts.

Anton says he “can’t wait for Vancouver to see this amazing film,” and he’s looking forward to being a part of the 3rd VSAFF.

Little One tells the story of a six-year-old rape victim left for dead in a township near Johannesburg. She is eventually rescued by an older woman, who decides to launch her own investigation.

It’s the latest film from Darrell Roodt, who wrote the award-winning film Yesterday.

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Little One was South Africa’s entry for the Best Foreign Language Oscar. Lead actress Lindiwe Ndlovu recently won a South African Film and Television Award for her role in the film. It was also nominated for best director on a feature film and best writing in a feature film.

What people are saying about Little One

Little One with Big Chance (Times Live)

South Africa Sounds Alarm on Child Rape Epidemic By Entering ‘Little One’ in Oscar Race (The Wrap)

Little One selected as SA’s Oscar Entry (Screen Africa)

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All proceeds from the VSAFF go to support the important educational development work Education without Borders has been doing in South Africa since 2002.

“Material” to open 3rd annual VSAFF

“Life is not a funny business,” reads the tag line from Material, a heartwarming film that we are proud to announce as part of our 2013 VSAFF Gala Opening.

Cassim is a young Muslim man working in his father’s textile store. It’s Ebrahim’s dream for Cassim to take over the shop, but Cassim has discovered a talent for stand-up comedy, and he soon finds himself in direct conflict with his father, his family and his community.

Material is a warm, funny and emotional look at the struggles of a Muslim family facing the modern world, exploring, destiny, responsibility and what family really means. The film is entirely set in the Indian enclave of Forsdburg, Johannesburg, South Africa. If you like Bend It Like Beckham, you’ll love Material!

Tickets for Material and the rest of the VSAFF films will go on sale later in March.

Nik Rabinowitz to appear in Vancouver in support of the VSAFF and EwB

Starring Cape Town stand-up comedian Riaad Moosa as Cassim, Material also features well-known South African comic Nik Rabinowitz, who we are thrilled to announce will be in Vancouver for the festival! Nik is going to perform a stand-up show on April 11 in support of Education without Borders, the festival’s presenting charity. Full details to come soon!


Get the latest VSAFF news!

Follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook! Ticket and complete film and schedule info will follow later this month!

All proceeds from the VSAFF go to support the important educational development work EwB has been doing in South Africa since 2002.