OPENING NIGHT 14 MARCH 2012

The Opening Night hosted by the Mayor of Cape Town in the Opera House (Artscape) will be a Black Tie event and the first Green Carpet at a film festival in South Africa exhibiting Cape Town’s commitment to protect our environment .

CWFF are thrilled to be opening the 2012 Festival with the South African Premiere of Lucky a full-length feature dramatic film about a ten-year-old South African boy who leaves his Zulu village for the city, only to find that no one will help him, except a formidable Indian woman named Padma. – a treat from one of the most original and exciting voices in independent film. Written and directed by Avie Luthra the film was produced by Out of Africa Productions and How Town Film Productions, LLC

After playing to packed audiences at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival, Busan (2011), Bangalore (2011), and Abu Dhabi (2011), where it was featured in the festival’s Waterfront Films open-air theater, LUCKY will have its South African Premiere at the 2012 Cape Winelands Film Festival.

The Film Critics Love LUCKY!

1. BBC - "a simple but profoundly moving portrait of humanity"..."a wonderful, little gem" -
2. Hollywood Reporter - "achieves poignancy without manipulation...an awards contender" John DeFore
3. Variety - "....an emotionally resonant portrait of contemporary South Africa...delicate and real...extraordinarily touching" John Anderson
4. "This film is sure to set people talking wherever it travels" the International Business Times
5. SWAY Magazine - "This film brings out the human in us..." Angela Walcott
6. Indiewire - "a potent South African drama" Boyd van Hoeij
7. The Business of Cinema - "A fresh perspective and engaging story...a touching tale"
8. Film Market Access - a MUST See at TIFF11
9. The Star Blog - "a brillant look at the impact of racism and AIDS on Indian and African communities by a very talented director" Debra Black
10. The Times of India - "upholds human kindness and faith in a racist society" - Uma Da Cunha
11. The Tribune India - "understated and yet poignant" Saibal Chatterjee
12. MovieCityNews.com - "a smart, well-constructed film" Kim Voynar

Make the whole night a VIP experience! Book your ticket that includes main floor seating and a two-hour reception after the film at the Artscape Piazza. The reception will feature delicious wine and tantalizing hors d'oeuvres. Join in on the fun and rub elbows with international filmmakers and fellow film lovers as you celebrate the beginning of another fabulous film festival!

Special Passes to attend the Festival are currently available to the general public, with special rates for Students and Senior Citizens. In addition to screenings and events, Festival passes provide access to a series of networking receptions and entry to the Filmmaker Lounge, @ Protea Hotel Fire and Ice, where Festival pass holders can interact with Festival filmmakers and professionals in the film community. General admission tickets to individual films go on sale beginning March 1st at Computicket. Contact the Festival Ticket Office for passes, tickets and event information by email on this website.

Leon vd Merwe
Festival Director
info(at)films-for-africa.co.za