Encounters 2021 Header Info

Francois Verster

Filmmaker

Convenor of Documentary Film Programme — Centre for Humanities Research, UWC

Panel Moderator: Milisuthando

Emmy-award winning documentarian Francois Verster’s films are acclaimed for their intimacy and formal innovation, screening at top festivals and galleries globally. Multiple award-winning titles include THE DREAM OF SHAHRAZAD, SEA POINT DAYS, THE MOTHERS’ HOUSE, A LION’S TRAIL and WHEN THE WAR IS OVER. He produced and edited Shameela Seedat’s films WHISPERING TRUTH TO POWER (Special Jury prize Hot Docs, ASA Film Award, Bronze Stallion FESPACO) and AFRICAN MOOT. He co-directed SCENES FROM A DRY CITY (World Press Photo Online Video award), as well as GIRL, TAKEN (currently on Paramount +). Verster has taught at Columbia University NY, the Universities of Cape Town and the Witwatersrand, has published in various journals and currently convenes a think tank on creative documentary at the University of the Western Cape. He has appeared on various festival juries and has had ten festival retrospectives or special focus series on his work, most recently at Indiana University, Bloomington.