The Encounters Documentary Festival returns with 58 documentaries, highlighting local filmmaking talent while connecting South African audiences to global stories and perspectives.
The Encounters South African International Documentary Film Festival is celebrating its 28th year with a diverse programme featuring documentary storytelling from around the world and a strong showcase of local filmmaking talent.
Taking place from 4 to 14 June 2026 in Cape Town and Johannesburg, the festival will present 58 documentaries from 33 countries across 116 screenings, offering audiences a rich selection of South African and international stories.
In Cape Town, screenings will be hosted at The Labia Theatre and Ster-Kinekor at the V&A Waterfront.
This year’s programme places a spotlight on Cape Town’s documentary filmmaking community, with 13 projects created by Cape Town-based filmmakers included in the festival line-up.
The featured local productions are:
- 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 also features prominently in two international documentaries selected for the festival.
TUTU explores the life and legacy of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, highlighting the courage, compassion and leadership that helped shape South Africa’s democratic journey and inspired people around the world.
Tristan Forever tells the story of a Parisian doctor whose enduring friendship with a fisherman from Tristan da Cunha led him to return to the remote island with plans to make it his permanent home.
The festival will also host the world premieres of four South African documentary features, further demonstrating the strength, creativity and diversity of local storytelling.
Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, welcomed the festival’s return.
“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.”
In addition to screenings, the festival will offer a comprehensive programme of masterclasses, panel discussions and one-on-one sessions led by filmmakers and industry experts, providing valuable learning and networking opportunities for emerging and established creatives alike.
As one of Africa’s leading documentary film festivals, Encounters continues to strengthen the documentary sector while providing audiences with powerful stories that inform, inspire and connect communities across cultures and borders.
