Solidarity on Screen: Palestinian Focus at Encounters
Encounters always uses the power of documentary to bring important issues to light and provide a platform for filmmakers to share their stories. This year, we are highlighting the Palestinian Focus to support marginalized voices and show solidarity with the Palestinian people during the ongoing Gaza genocide. We have selected three diverse films, including one made by both Israeli and Palestinian directors working together. Our goal is to provide varied perspectives and human experiences for audiences to reflect on.
The Palestinian Focus will be accompanied by panel discussions organised by Cinema Solidarity. We encourage everyone to take part in these conversations and engage with the Palestinian experience.
Encounters has always been a safe space for discussing the struggles and resilience of marginalized communities. We believe that film festivals can foster understanding and critical thinking during times of crisis. We are proud to continue promoting solidarity with those involved in struggles for social and ecological justice.
CT: BYE BYE TIBERIAS POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “Vanished Places, Scattered Memories”
Join us for an intimate, intergenerational conversation between filmmaker and activist, Loren Loubser and director of the District Six Museum, Bonita Bennett. Loren and Bonita will respond to Bye Bye Tiberius through their own experiences of Palestine solidarity work, personal archiving and the legacy of forced removals – from apartheid South Africa to apartheid Israel.
JHB: A FIDAI FILM POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “Notes on the Archives”
Zara Julius
Panellist
CT: NO OTHER LAND POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “Inevitability and Temporal Reflections Amidst Crisis”
Ster-Kinekor V&A 11 Sun 23 June 2pm + Panel
When the inevitable is imminent what meaning then does time hold? Can a film such as this be considered ‘timely’ when it is recorded at the apex of a more than a 100 year crisis? What then of the power of patience as Adra states to his Israeli ally “You want to end the occupation in ten days – it requires patience.”
We give our time today to Jaamiah Galant, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), and Maya Schkolne from South African Jews for a Free Palestine (SAJFP), to discuss this and other notions of endurance and fortitude in the face of such immense subjugation.
JHB: BYE BYE TIBERIAS POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “On Exile, Homelands, Return and Memory”
JHB: NO OTHER LAND POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “The Artist as Witness, Ally and Friend”
The Zone @ Rosebank 3 Sun 30 June 4.30pm + Panel
Featuring artists who have used their mediums to cross “enemy lines” and whose work builds bridges between sites of struggle across time, space and place, explores the vital role of artists in producing imaginaries that transcend dominant divides towards solidarity, movement building and camaraderie through artistic process and practice.
DBN: 26th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival comes to Durban
The BAT Centre Sat 29 June 12pm + Panel
Encounters, in collaboration with Cinema Solidarity, presents the Palestine Focus:
| Time | Film Name |
|---|---|
| Sat 29 June | |
| 12:00 PM | A Fidai Film |
| 13:30 PM | Poetry |
| 15:00 PM | No Other Land + Panel |
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