28 Years of Stories That Matter | Save the Date, 4 – 14 June 2026
The 28th edition of Encounters South African International Documentary Festival is on the horizon, and we couldn’t be more excited to see the incredible stories our filmmakers are bringing to life.
This year, the festival received just under 1000 film submissions from 128 countries and territories, showcasing an extraordinary range of perspectives and cinematic styles. From intimate personal narratives to global political explorations, experimental approaches to storytelling, and the preservation of local histories, the diversity of this year’s submissions reflects the power of documentary to connect audiences across cultures and continents.
We will be announcing the official selection soon, so mark your calendars and keep an eye on our channels. You won’t want to miss the stories that will inspire, challenge, encourage and move you. Stay tuned, and get ready to celebrate the best of documentary cinema at Encounters 2026.
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Junior Movie Club 2026: Learning Through Film
From January to March 2026, the Junior Movie Club (JMC) brought young people from across Cape Town together for an eight-week journey exploring film literacy, human rights, and civic engagement. Participants watched documentaries including The Illusion of Distance, The Reclaimers, and Facing Forward, paired with discussions, reflection activities, and hands-on learning.
Held at iconic venues like the District Six Homecoming Centre, Bertha House, Bertha Movie House, and Iziko Slave Lodge, the programme included community screenings, a mock election, and environmental projects at the Philippi Horticultural Association.
The JMC empowered learners to connect with their communities, develop storytelling and leadership skills, and celebrate their voices at a vibrant Human Rights Day event, marking the programme’s impact on Cape Town’s next generation of storytellers and changemakers.
The Junior Movie Club is supported by the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, District Six Homecoming Centre and Encounters.
Supporting the Next Generation of Documentary Filmmakers: DFA DocYouth Nga Maanda Awe Festival
Encounters is proud to partner with the Documentary Filmmakers’ Association (DFA) and its DocYouth initiative on the Nga Maanda Awe Emerging Film Festival, taking place from 23–24 April 2026 across multiple South African venues, including Bertha House in Cape Town, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Free State, Rhodes University and the Nelson Mandela University.
This collaboration strengthens a shared commitment to nurturing emerging documentary talent and expanding access to meaningful storytelling platforms for young filmmakers across the country. The festival, developed by DocYouth as a response to structural barriers facing emerging creators, creates space for bold, experimental and underrepresented voices while fostering dialogue, mentorship, and industry connection.
As part of this partnership, the winning film from Nga Maanda Awe will be screened at Encounters 2026, taking place from 4–14 June 2026 in Cape Town, offering emerging filmmakers a vital platform for visibility, recognition, and further industry engagement. Through this exchange, Encounters and the DFA aim to support the next generation of documentary voices and strengthen pathways into the wider film ecosystem through collaboration with key partners including Rough Cut Lab Africa and AfriDocs.
Together, this partnership builds a bridge between emerging and established industry spaces, centering youth-led storytelling and ensuring greater access, inclusion, and long-term sustainability within South Africa’s documentary landscape.
Encounters x Cannes Docs: Amplifying South African Documentary
For the third consecutive year, Encounters South African International Documentary Festival proudly partners with Cannes Docs, reinforcing vital connections between African filmmakers and the global industry. As part of the Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival in France, this collaboration offers filmmakers access to festival programmers, distributors, sales agents, and co-production partners worldwide.
By joining a handpicked network of leading documentary festivals, Encounters helps African stories gain further visibility, secure partnerships, increase networking opportunities, and reach new audiences. The partnership reflects Encounters’ ongoing commitment to developing filmmakers, championing diverse voices, and positioning African documentaries within the global marketplace. In a time when equitable access and global recognition remain critical, collaborations like this ensure that African cinema continues to thrive on the world stage.
OPEN CALL: #DocsConnect 2026/2027 Conscious Filmmaking Training
Applications are now open for filmmakers and creators seeking guidance, support, and a collaborative space that prioritises both creativity and well-being.
Organised by Taskovski Films & #DocsConnect, this three-module programme equips participants with the tools to develop bold, impactful stories across borders while embracing sustainable and conscious filmmaking practices.
Participants may apply to one, two, or all three modules:
Module 1: Creative Development & Conscious Leadership | Spain | October 2026
A 6-day residential lab focused on story development, pitching, ethical AI, leadership, well-being, and sustainable practice, with optional industry sessions in Barcelona.
Module 2: Impact, Audience & Cross-Sector Collaboration | Online (Feb–Mar 2027) + Netherlands (March 2027)
In partnership with Movies That Matter Festival, featuring masterclasses, mentorship, and insights into financing, co-production, and impact strategy, plus optional access to the Impact Lab.
Module 3: Business, Innovation & Industry Access | France | June 2027
In collaboration with Sunny Side of the Doc, focusing on pitching, networking, market strategy, and global distribution opportunities.
Funding support letters are available upon acceptance, and the team assists with applications.
Applications are open on a rolling basis:
Apply: https://bit.ly/training-2026-
Support the Festival
We invite you to join us once again in making Encounters an unforgettable celebration of documentary, creativity and discourse in the African landscape. Your contribution, whether big or small, will make a significant difference and help us continue to inspire and connect the film community.
To donate, please visit our website at https://encounters.co.za/
Encounters Training and Development Institute is a registered PBO and can issue a Section 18A certificate for tax-deductible donations, within prescribed limits. Thank you for considering our request. Together, we can ensure that Encounters remains a beacon of artistic excellence and a vital platform for filmmakers to share their stories with the world.
Encounters has a rich history, starting as the Encounters Swiss South African Documentary Film Festival in 1999 and growing into the annual Encounters South African International Documentary Festival under the auspices of the Encounters Training and Development Institute. Over the past 28 years, Encounters has become Africa’s premier Documentary Festival, celebrating outstanding documentaries and facilitating engaging discussions on critical issues. With a vision of an inclusive and vibrant African documentary filmmaking community, Encounters aims to advance human rights, democracy, and African storytelling through the power of documentary film. To achieve this, the Encounters Training and Development Institute is committed to promoting documentary cinema as a creative art form, fostering regional collaboration, and developing audiences through year-round festival programmes.
Encounters’ success lies in the curation of programmes that resonate with local audiences and providing a pivotal space for talented documentary filmmakers to showcase their works to the public and the media; as well as an institution of skills and knowledge expansion.