The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, Africa’s foremost platform for documentary excellence, invites the filmmaking community to submit feature-length, mid-length, and short documentary films for consideration in our 27th edition, scheduled for 19 – 29 June 2025, in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and other satellite locations.
With a legacy of over two decades, Encounters has continually evolved, expanding its audience and influence while steadfastly showcasing exceptional documentaries from around the world. As we approach 2025, we are committed to further elevating this festival’s reputation for quality and innovation.
Since its inception in 1999, Encounters has provided South African audiences with a carefully curated selection of significant global documentaries. Our goal is to present films that not only entertain but also engage and inspire, encompassing a wide range of themes to resonate with diverse viewers.
The festival program features award-winning and critically acclaimed works, including the year’s most discussed documentaries. Encounters takes pride in uncovering new projects from established documentary filmmakers as well as emerging talent from South Africa and the wider African continent.
In addition to our expanded jury awards, we offer filmmakers substantial media exposure and unique opportunities to connect with audiences through our Outreach Programme, which extends to both main cinema venues and local townships.
We invite filmmakers to submit films completed after January 2023, celebrating 27 years of creative documentary in Africa and the globe. We are particularly interested in works that address themes such as social justice, politics, arts and culture, technology, current affairs, personal narratives, education, history, and environmental issues.
Encounters is thrilled to present an array of distinguished awards celebrating documentaries that challenge established narratives and elevate the art form. These awards honour filmmakers who push creative boundaries and bring underrepresented stories to the forefront of global conversations.
Our lineup includes the renowned Adiaha Award, in partnership with the Ladima Foundation, honouring the best documentary by an African woman; the Al Jazeera Best African and International Documentary Award, celebrating powerful storytelling from Africa and the rest of the world; and The Refinery Best Edited Film, recognizing exceptional artistry in film editing.
Encounters remains committed to inspiring documentary filmmakers to redefine the genre through impactful storytelling and exceptional craft.
Important Details
- South African and African submissions are exempt from a submission fee.
- A nominal fee of $25 USD applies to international entries.
- Works in progress or rough cuts will be considered, provided they are completed and sent to the festival team 2 weeks prior to the festival dates.
Submission Deadline: Monday, 24 February 2025, at 11:59 PM SAST.
We look forward to your submissions and to celebrating the power of documentary storytelling together.
Submissions rules can be found here.
AFRICAN SUBMISSIONS (CLICK HERE)
INTERNATIONAL SUBMISSOINS (CLICK HERE)
Support the Festival
To donate, follow this link https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/SupportEncounters/ or contact our team at info@encounters.co.za. We are also happy to discuss sponsorship opportunities and ways to acknowledge your support during the festival.
Encounters Training and Development Institute is a registered PBO and can issue a Section 18A certificate for tax-deductible donations, within prescribed limits.