“It was an exceedingly difficult decision to select the winners for the Programmer’s Choice Awards. This year we were spoiled for choice with a wide range of excellent films that creatively stretched the documentary form to bring us fresh perspectives on important issues.”  says Mandisa Zitha, Festival Director.

The Ladima Foundation has awarded the The Adiaha Award 2021 for Best Documentary Film by an African woman to Zinder, a powerful film by filmmaker by Aïcha Macky. The jury also awarded a Special Mention to Faya Dayi by Jessica Beshir.  

After intense negotiations, the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival has acquired one of the hottest, most acclaimed films of 2021. The film can only have a limited theatrical release as part of the Festival, with just three screenings at the...

The Ladima Foundation is excited to present The Adiaha Award for Best Documentary Film by an African woman at this year’s 23rd Encounters South African International Documentary Festival. Previous winners have included Samantha Biffot for The African Who Wanted to Fly, Philippa Ndisi-Herrmann for New Moon and Tamara Mariam Dawit for Finding Sally.

Featuring a slate of meaningful documentary films with human stories, activism, investigation and revelation.

From the mysterious assassination of a South African icon, to an animated documentary of one of Sea Point’s legendary figures, as well as activists, miners, circuses and athletes, the 2021 Encounters South African International Documentary Festival once again brings audiences closer to the very best in documentary-making from the African Continent.

Now in its 23rd year, the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival returns with a celebration of the latest and greatest in African and international Documentary filmmaking, cementing its place as the premier documentary festival on the continent.