An outstanding annual event since 1999
The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival is the country’s formative documentary event, screening contemporary South African and International features and short documentaries.
African titles
International titles
Total screenings
Total Attendance
The Close Encounters Laboratory
The Close Encounters Laboratory, in partnership with SABC and ETV has been phenomenally successful and in 10 Labs has produced 48 films. It has launched the careers of a number of South Africa’s innovative young filmmakers. Alumni of the Lab include Khalo Matabane, Bev Ditsie, Omelga Mthiyane, Andy Spitz, Pule Diphare, Mandilakhe Mjekula, Riaan Hendricks, Vincent Moloi and Portia Rankoane. All these immensely skilled filmmakers have benefited from the Lab and their films have done well locally and abroad.
Films produced
Laboratories run
Lab participants
Industry sessions
Making an Impact with Industry Events
We’ve planned an oh-so-useful industry programme to equip filmmakers with business skills in partnership with Wesgro, City of Cape Town and FNB, and a series of workshops and presentations to help filmmakers go global with the Documentary Filmmakers Association.
Live Q&As, Panel Discussions and Industry Events
Join our live virtual Q&As, Panel Discussions and Industry Events with acclaimed and emerging filmmakers discussing their latest films, or watch the pre-recorded Q&As.
Don’t forget to set a YouTube reminder for the Q&As, Panel Discussions and Industry Events!