The 26th edition of Africa’s premier documentary film festival kicks off in the Mother City today, ready to showcase the best South African productions.
Also read: Hard-hitting SA documentary, Mother City, to open Encounters 2024
The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival takes place in Cape Town and Johannesburg from 20 to 30 June, featuring a compelling line-up of local and international films that ‘promise to spark debate, stimulate conversations, and shed new light on controversial subject matter’.
Cinemas that will screen the 2024 Encounters’ line-up in Cape Town are Ster-Kinekor at the V&A Waterfront and The Labia Theatre.
Encounters was founded by Nodi Murphy and Steven Markovitz in 1999. Since then, it has become the leading creative documentary festival in South Africa and the continent.
‘We started the festival at a time when there was almost no support for documentaries, no community, and no documentaries in the cinemas,’ says Markovitz, who recently stepped down from his role after 26 years of service as co-founder, co-director and board member.
‘It felt important to start contributing to building this ecosystem, creating opportunities for both new and established filmmakers, and fostering robust debate around crucial issues in our young democracy. This feels as relevant today as it did in 1999.’
This year, the South African film Mother City, directed by Miki Redelinghuys and Pearlie Joubert as the opening film, is set to spark transformation.
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In Mother City, the filmmakers follow activists of the Reclaim the City movement over six years. Reclaim the City started as a campaign to combat apartheid spatial planning within the City of Cape Town.
The movement has successfully reclaimed three public buildings in the inner City and surrounding areas to promote affordable housing opportunities.
Mother City offers viewers a glimpse into the lives of those in need of housing closer to work, education, and recreation.
‘Mother City has been selected as our opening film, as it represents the heart of what documentary film-making is about,’ says Mandisa Zitha, festival director. ‘Dedicated, tenacious, and vociferous in its approach to following a group of activists over a long period, to capture their challenges and frustrations, and indeed their successes.’
‘It speaks to the power of film in exposing the arduous journey so many in this world have to embark on to effect change. It is also a universally powerful story of the triumph of the collective.’
Miki Redelinghuys (Plexus Films) documentary filmmaker and impact producer describes Mother City as a ‘love letter to the City I call home’.
‘But love can also be painful in as much as it is beautiful. This film is an expression of many diverse lives observed through our lens and we hope our audience leaves inspired with a vision for building a shared democratic South Africa.’
‘We are extremely grateful that we have been able to share this story.’
Encounters will showcase a total of 50 films in cinemas this year. In addition, emerging filmmakers will discuss their latest films during panel discussions, industry events and live Q&As.
Details:
- Date: 20 June to 30 June
- Location: Ster-Kinekor, Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront | The Labia Theatre, 68 Orange St, Gardens | Bertha Movie House, Isivivana Centre, Khayelitsha (RSVP required)
- Website: encounters.co.za
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Picture: Jakob Owens / Unsplash