Encounters 2026 Unveils Programme Featuring 13 Cape Town Films
11 May 2026
The 28th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival has unveiled its 2026 programme, showcasing 13 projects by Cape Town filmmakers.
The festival will take place from 4–14 June 2026 in Cape Town and Johannesburg. In Cape Town, screenings will be held at The Labia Theatre and Ster-Kinekor at the V&A Waterfront.
This year’s programme features 58 documentaries from 33 countries, presented across 116 screenings.
“Encounters is proud to return as Africa’s leading documentary festival, once again launching in our home city of Cape Town. This year, we celebrate documentaries that move beyond the complexities of the current global moment to embrace light, love and hope. We have brought together both established and emerging filmmakers from around the world to share stories that move beyond the fast pace of the news cycle, offering audiences a deeper connection to the lives and hearts of their characters.
Our comprehensive industry programme features award-winning filmmakers and experts from diverse fields, creating meaningful conversations that connect documentary storytelling to the lived realities and historical legacies that shape our world. We are delighted to once again gather in community around documentary cinema” said Mandisa Zitha, Encounters Festival Director.
Projects filmed in Cape Town and created by Cape Town-based filmmakers
- 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 is also featured in two international documentaries – TUTU and Tristan Forever which are part of the Encounters International Selection.
Tickets for screenings start at R90 and can be booked via Quicket. The full festival schedule is available at www.encounters.co.za, and film trailers can be viewed on YouTube.
