Ten-year-old Thembi and her eight-year-old brother, Khwezi, are left alone in their rural homestead in KwaZulu-Natal after their mother dies. All they have to remember her by is a grass mat she wove, which she planned to enter in a craft competition in the city. Thembi and Khwezi head to Durban on their own to find the craft show, but once there fall into the life of the street with all of its dangers and challenges. The very essence of Thembi and Kwezi’s relationship is threatened as the city closes in to overwhelm and defeat them. Still, by the film’s hopeful closing, the children find a way to survive and even to triumph. Izulu Lami‘s greatest achievement is its cast of extraordinary child actors discovered in the townships, informal settlements and rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal. &nbsp;Content advisory: contains some scenes with sexual violence&nbsp; This film is sponsored thanks to the generosity of RGF Integrated Wealth Management and the BCTF (British Columbia Teachers' Federation).<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/5db36ca85413b137cdb90854ec488562.png" width="272"> . <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/7629f6b6f1d1733ddd8929ecc7fd066d.png" width="193">

Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky)

After their mother’s death in rural Kwa-Zulu Natal, 10-year-old Thembi and her 8-year old brother Khwezi, head to Durban with their mother’s woven mat which they plan to enter into a craft show. There they face, and survive, the horrors and challenges of life on the streets

The film tells the story of Siyabonga, a 12-year-old boy from Johannesburg who is sent to a village in Kwazulu-Natal to live with his grandmother while his parents are sorting out their marital problems. As a city boy who is not accustomed to doing household chores, Siyabonga struggles to adapt. He discovers the power of words as he reads letters that put a smile on people’s faces, until one day, a letter with bad news lands in his hands - a letter addressed to Nobuhle, a beautiful 25-year old wife of a migrant worker living in Johannesburg. He takes one look at this beautiful woman and falls in love with her. As Nobuhle waits anxiously to hear the words of a long-awaited letter, Siyabonga realizes that the letter outlines the end of Nobuhle’s marriage… he can’t bring himself to break her heart, so in that instant, Siyabonga decides that Nobuhle deserves better.

The Letter Reader

The film SELA was written by three&nbsp;​grade 7 and 8&nbsp;students, Iphelele Baxana, Lulama Duda and Ibanathi Buqa and directed by Eastern Cape filmmaker Rafieka Davis. The film was funded by the Latin School of Chicago as well&nbsp;as&nbsp;Artworks for Youth. The production was carried out over a&nbsp;5-day&nbsp;period and assisted by a young crew from Chicago. SELA tells the story of 10-year-old Kamva, who lives in the Joe Slovo township, and is forced to assume adult responsibilities due to his mother's heavy drinking. Thanks to our community partner, Toronto Black Film Festival. <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/eventive-static/21ddd3009a61fec956fb2c2c0bf0a88f.jpg">

Sela

SELA tells the story of 10-year-old Kamva, who lives in the Joe Slovo township, and is forced to assume adult responsibilities due to his mother's heavy drinking

Director, Madoda Ncayiyana explains what inspired him to make this film, how he manages to create a film that is both gut-wrenching and heart-warming, and the challenges of recruiting and working with child actors.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Izulu Lami: in conversation with the director

Canada

Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky) & The Letter Reader & Sela

Single ticket - individual

Single ticket - household (2+)

Education without Borders Foundation4490 West 1st AveVancouver,&nbsp;BC&nbsp;V6R 4J4Canada ﻿BN:&nbsp;873013718RR0001

Donation to Education without Borders

Donate to Education without Borders

These are all the passes tied to your account. Now, you can go and make your film selection in the Virtual Festival, clicking on "Pre-order Now" or "Unlock Now." You can access your tickets via {{my_tickets_link|"My Tickets"}}.  
 {{buy_pass_link|Looking to buy more passes?}}