Cape Town & Johannesburg’s Premier Documentary Event Returns for Its 27th Edition
Encounters Festival
Africa’s longest-running documentary film festival, the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, kicks off this week. From 19–29 June 2025, audiences are invited to dive into a rich programme of over 60 films – including riveting features and daring shorts – accompanied by masterclasses, Q&As, bold panel discussions, and an exclusive Close Encounters Lab for emerging filmmakers.
Why You Should Attend:
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Groundbreaking Screenings: Highlights include Albie: A Strange Alchemy—an intimate portrait of justice champion Albie Sachs—alongside critical explorations of global power Union, environmental frontiers Shifting Baselines, and pressing social battles—from the Chibok mothers to Cape Town gang youth.
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Engaging Events: Every screening is paired with insightful Q&As and community conversations. Don’t miss panel sessions unpacking pressing issues, hosted by filmmakers, activists, and leaders.
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Industry Inclusion: The festival strengthens documentary as a force for change. Over 70 South African and international industry professionals will lead workshops and mentoring sessions to help local voices reach global audiences .
Festival Venues & Cities
Experience Encounters across key cinemas:
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Cape Town: Labia Theatre (Gardens) and Ster‑Kinekor, V&A Waterfront
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Johannesburg: Bioscope Independent Cinema (Milpark) and The Zone @ Rosebank
All venues are wheelchair accessible and equipped for English-subtitled screenings.
Educational & Networking Opportunities
Emerging filmmakers can join the Close Encounters Laboratory, an incubator for fresh voices that has produced 48 films and launched the careers of many notable South African directors
Additionally, a robust industry programme—hosted in collaboration with Wesgro, FNB, the City of Cape Town, and DocFilmmakers Association—offers masterclasses and panels on financing, distribution, and strategic storytelling.
How to Attend
Tickets are available now at local box offices and online:
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Labia Theatre: 68 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town
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Ster‑Kinekor, V&A Waterfront: Dock Rd, Cape Town
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Bioscope Milpark and The Zone @ Rosebank: Johannesburg
Scan the schedule on the festival website to plan your itinerary
Whether you’re a passionate cinephile, budding documentarian, advocate, or curious soul, Encounters promises a transformative cinematic journey. Engage with global ideas, amplify untold African narratives, and shape the conversation on documentary’s evolving role in culture and change.
The opening party is hosted by KAMVA Collective. Lineup: Grant Jurius x Garth Erasmus (LIVE), Michael Bhatch, Athi Maq (+ Surprise B2B!) 8 – LATE (R50 entry) One Park Road, Gardens. On 21 June. See Instagram post.
Let’s go #BackTogether, building bridges through the power of documentary storytelling.
Website: encounters.co.za
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Courses
Acting
Directing
Sound
Cinematography
Producing