On behalf of the Cape Winelands Film Festival, I want to take a moment to formally thank all of our sponsors, volunteers and staff that put forth the effort in this year's 2010 Festival to help make it as successful as it was. This year'sevent that was held from 17 – 27 March at the beautiful Spier Amphitheatre, Labia Theatres, Iziko Museum, and CityVarsity Theatre and was financially sponsored and supportedby :

• The City of Cape Town,
• The Spier Wine Estate,
• The Brazilian Consulate General in Cape Town,
• The Cape Film Commission,
• The Flemish Representation in South Africa,
• The Honorary Consul of Estonia
• Films for Africa,
• IFAS,
• UniFrance,
• The Commonwealth Foundation,
• Tararam and The Embassy of Israel in Pretoria,
• Labia Theatre,
• Iziko Museum,
• Culture France and the Alliance Française,
• The International Film Guide and
• The Protea Hotel Fire and Ice.

This event could not have been operated without the help of the many volunteers who gave their time to help run or assist with the festival. This event took over 30 volunteers and staff to make the day to day's activities run successfully with the proper help that each activity needed. Again, thank you to all of those who volunteered and donated their time. I truly appreciate your time and assistance!

I also want to congratulate the following Award Winners :

Feature Films

International Film Guide Inspiration Award : The Other Bank– Dir. GeorgeOvashili

Best South African FeatureAward – Gugu andAndile - Dir. MinkySchlesinger

Best Feature Award- Grand Prix : Eyes Wide Open- Dir. HaimTabakman

Special Mention Denise Newman for her searing performance in the title role of Oliver Hermanus’ Shirley Adams. She offers a moving account of a life that lies behind news stories about gang violence. There is no crusade against gun culture or a successful battle to stop the violence that is tearing communities apart. Her bravery lies in facing each day with the determination to survive it. Denise Newman presents us with the real face of motherhood; with the smallest of gestures that underpin her anguish and pain, she captures the spirit of a woman who will go to any lengths for her child and whose resilience knows no bounds.

Heikki Nousiainen for conveying the frailty of age, in his role as a priest desperate to finding meaning, in Klaus Härö’s Letters to Father Jacob. When a blind priest opens his doors to an ex-convict, peace returns to his life as he can continue his communication with the outside world through letters to his parishioners. Heikki Nousiainen’s quiet performance subtly details the everyday existence of this private man who, as he comes to the end of his life, wants nothing more than to serve his god. It is a performance of grace and humility that befits such an involving story. 

Short Films 

Special Mention: Dance Macabre– Dir. PedroPirez

Best Short Film: Hammerhead –Dir. Sam Donovan (Entered with www.fest21.com)

Best South African Short Film:  Filho/ Hidden Places -  Dir Jamie Beron

Documentary

Special Mention: Kentridge and Dumas in Conversation - Dir Catherine Meyburgh

BestDocumentary: War Against the Weak – DirJustin Strawhand

Audience Award

Audience Award at 2010 Cape Winelands Film Festival:  Master Harold…and  theBoys - Dir  Lonny Price

Congratulations to all the Winners !  In addition, I want to thank all the Local and International Jury Members for their hard work and time they put in to select the winning films.

This was the third year for the Cape Winelands Film Festival and will continue to bring good films to the public of Cape Town and the Western Cape. This year's event experienced a huge increase in audience attendance in Cape Town throughout the festival. Once again, thank you to all.

 
Leonvd Merwe
FestivalDirector
CapeWinelands Film Festival