Experiencing Interruptions?

The Date

Swipe right, swipe left, swipe right … The only thing Lucas goes through faster than beer is the dates he goes on. Until he meets Maya, a down-to-earth mature girl who isn’t afraid of being herself. Lucas struggles to deepen the connection and realises he has not dealt with a previous loss in his life.

  • Cara Rust
    Director
  • Cara Rust
    Writer
  • Cara Rust
    Producer
  • Esperance Potgieter
    Producer
  • Mark Penwill
    Key Cast
    "Lucas"
  • Celeste Loots
    Key Cast
    "Maya"
  • Esperance Potgieter
    Key Cast
    "Julia"
  • Kenley Swart
    Key Cast
    "Charlotte"
  • Lee van der Merwe
    Key Cast
    "Bella"
  • Conradie van Heerden
    Key Cast
  • David Radosz
    Director of Photography
  • Jannik Richter
    Sound Design
  • Joshua Richter
    Sound Design
  • Jannik Richter
    Music Score
  • Joshua Richter
    Music Score
  • Hannah Constantine
    Camera Assist
  • Esperance Potgieter
    Art Direction
  • Amber Fox-Martin
    Assistant Director
  • Esperance Potgieter
    Wardrobe
  • Saarah Harris
    Makeup & Hair
  • Mari Geldenhuys
    Colour Grade
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    July 8, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    South Africa
  • Country of Filming:
    South Africa
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Roma Short Film Festival
    Rome
    Italy
    September 3, 2022
    Winner
  • Golden Wheat Awards
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    September 15, 2022
    Winner
  • MUFF
    Istanbul
    Turkey
    September 30, 2022
    Winner
  • New Wave Short Film Festival
    Munich
    Germany
    November 3, 2022
    Finalist
  • Madrid International Short Film Festival
    Madrid
    Spain
    January 7, 2023
    Honourable Mention
  • Paris International Short Festival
    Paris
    France
    November 30, 2022
    Semi Finalist
  • The South African Independent Film Festival
    Cape Town
    South Africa
    November 27, 2022
    Official Selection
  • uMgungundlovu Film Festival
    Pietermaritzburg
    South Africa
    November 25, 2022
    Official Selection
  • Kalakari
    Dewas
    India
    February 28, 2023
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Cara Rust

Cara Rust is a passionate and creative film and theatre director, as well as a video editor, with over a decade of experience. With her extensive background in directing, editing, and motion graphics animation, she has worked on a wide range of local and international projects, from narrative films to promotional videos.

Her latest short film, The Date, has won multiple international awards. She specialises in creating content that reflects real life and inspires audiences to make a difference.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Dealing with grief is a matter of bravery and vulnerability.

It is easy to move through life at the speed of light, avoiding deeper connections that challenges us to a better understanding of ourselves.

This film speeds through the hilarious superficial ego-centric journey of hook-up culture.

All leading to a dreamlike date, where the need for a deeper connection arises.

I hope this film will inspire you to explore and showcase your own vulnerability.

Because vulnerability is bravery.