Arts and Creative Industries / Film and Animation / Encounters South African International Documentary Festival: Supporting documentary professionals and industry exchange

Encounters South African International Documentary Festival: Supporting documentary professionals and industry exchange

Arts and Creative Industries
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4 June

The 28th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival takes place from 4 to 14 June 2026, bringing together filmmakers, producers, broadcasters, funders and audiences from across South Africa and beyond.

As a longstanding partner of the festival, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) is pleased to support this year’s professional programme, which creates opportunities for networking, skills development and international collaboration within the documentary sector. Through workshops, masterclasses, industry discussions and project-focused exchanges, the programme contributes to strengthening connections between African and international documentary professionals.

Alongside the industry programme, the festival will present a selection of local and international documentaries, including the French co-productions Fantastique by Marjolijn Prins and Life After Siham by Namir Abdel Messeeh.

Screenings and industry events will take place across Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria at venues including The Labia Theatre, The Bioscope, Ster-Kinekor and Bertha House.

View and book for the Encounters Talks programme here.

Browse the official documentary programme here.

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