Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival celebrates its 28th year
04 June 2026
The festival returns with a rich selection of South African and international documentary film content, spotlighting 13 projects by Cape Town filmmakers through a diverse range of short films and documentaries.
The festival will take place from 4–14 June 2026 in Cape Town and Johannesburg. In Cape Town, screenings will be held at The Labia Theatre and Ster-Kinekor at the V&A Waterfront.
This year’s programme features 58 documentaries from 33 countries, presented across 116 screenings.
Projects filmed in Cape Town and created by Cape Town-based filmmakers include:
- A Place called Paradise
- Amigo The Griot
- Before They Sold the Sky
- Bones
- Concerto
- Curtain Call
- Die Lopende Ambulanse
- Eyes to see Filmmaker
- Her Khaltsha
- INYEMBEZI ZENDODA
- Notes from the Underground
- Talking to Family
- WAT WAS HIE?
Cape Town is also featured on screen in two international documentaries, TUTU and Tristan Forever, both selected as part of the Encounters International Selection, with scenes filmed in and around the city.
TUTU is a compelling portrait of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The fearless leader whose courage and compassion helped dismantle apartheid, transform the spirit of a nation, and inspire generations around the world.
Tristan Forever, a story of a doctor from Paris who maintained an enduring friendship with a fisherman living on Tristan da Cunha, the most remote inhabited island on Earth. Now, he returns one final time, determined to leave his old life behind and make the island his permanent home.
This year’s festival will also host the world premieres of four South African documentary features, further highlighting the strength and diversity of local storytelling at Encounters.
‘The City of Cape Town is pleased to once again stand behind the Encounters Documentary Film Festival, where documentaries continue to grow and real stories come to life. This festival creates a powerful platform for voices that matter, both at home and across the globe. It is through this space that we celebrate the art of film, while building meaningful connections between communities, storytellers, and audiences alike,’ said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.
Alongside the film screenings, Encounters is running a robust programme of masterclasses, panel discussions, and one-on-one sessions, facilitated by industry experts and filmmakers.
The full festival schedule is available on the Encounters website.
For more information on this and other events hosted in Cape Town, visit the Events in Cape Town website.
Captions: Audiences at previous festivals.
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Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
