We’re pleased to announce a strategic new partnership between Durban FilmMart, Filmmart.Africa and the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival—Africa’s leading platform for documentary film. This collaboration strengthens the commitment to fostering meaningful industry engagement, and offers a space for film professionals and audiences to explore non-fiction storytelling from Africa and around the world.
Encounters 2026: Now Available on Filmmart.Africa
The 28th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival runs from 04 to 14 June 2026 and features over 58 international and African documentaries. Screenings will take place at:
- Cape Town: Labia Theatre, V&A Waterfront Ster-Kinekor, Ster-Kinekor V&A (popup screening) , Bertha Khayelitsha, Bertha Mowbray
- Johannesburg: The Bioscope, Rosebank Nouveau, Ster-Kinekor Sandton, Ster-Kinekor Southgate
- Pretoria: Ster-Kinekor Brooklyn Mall
“Encounters is proud to return as Africa’s leading documentary festival, once again launching in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria. 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.” – Mandisa Zitha, Encounters Festival Director.The full festival schedule is now live on both the Encounters website and on Filmmart.Africa. Users can explore the lineup in detail and connect directly with featured filmmakers through the platform.
Durban FilmMart Institute Alumni at Encounters
The Durban FilmMart Institute (DFMI) is delighted that DFM alumni projects will be showcased at this year’s Encounters Festival.
“We are proud to partner with the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, a platform that has consistently championed bold, urgent and deeply human storytelling from across the continent and beyond. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to creating spaces where African filmmakers can connect, engage critically, and strengthen the documentary ecosystem through meaningful industry exchange. We are especially encouraged to see Durban FilmMart alumni participating in this year’s programme, highlighting the importance of sustained investment in African creatives and the growing impact of platforms that support authentic African stories from development through to audience engagement.” – Magdalene Reddy, DFMI Director
Opening the festival is “Truck Mama” by director Zipporah (Zippy) Nyaruri. Featured in the programme:
- Mama-Demic by Nicole Schafer
- My Father and Qaddafi by Jihan K
- Truck Mama by Zipporah Nyaruri
- The Woman Who Poked The Leopard by Patience Nitumwesiga
These projects, first developed through DFMI’s incubation and market access programmes, now form part of the continent’s most vital documentary showcase.
Filmmart.Africa Partnership
Through this partnership, Filmmart.Africa becomes a digital companion to the 28th Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, offering users access to filmmaker profiles, in-depth project information, curated insights, and opportunities for connection. This initiative supports the growth of the African film ecosystem by expanding access to stories, professionals, and opportunities beyond the physical festival venues.
Partnerships like this between Filmmart.Africa and Encounters demonstrate the power of aligning platforms, institutions, and storytellers to amplify visibility and accelerate growth. Digital tools are no longer optional; they are essential in enabling access, breaking down borders, and creating the kinds of networks that lead to meaningful, long-term opportunities.
Whether you’re a filmmaker, producer, or passionate film enthusiast, Filmmart.Africa is your gateway to engage, connect, and thrive in this dynamic ecosystem.Sign up today at www.filmmart.africa to explore the Encounters 2026 programme, connect with filmmakers, and access valuable industry insights.
About Encounters
Encounters has a rich history, starting as the Encounters Swiss South African Documentary Film Festival in 1999 and growing into the annual Encounters South African International Documentary Festival under the auspices of the Encounters Training and Development Institute. Over the past 28 years, Encounters has become Africa’s premier Documentary Festival, celebrating outstanding documentaries and facilitating engaging discussions on critical issues. With a vision of an inclusive and vibrant African documentary filmmaking community, Encounters aims to advance human rights, democracy, and African storytelling through the power of documentary film. To achieve this, the Encounters Training and Development Institute is committed to promoting documentary cinema as a creative art form, fostering regional collaboration, and developing audiences through year-round festival programmes.
About Filmmart.Africa
Filmmart.Africa is a dedicated online platform for Africa’s film industry. Users can:
• Explore the filmmakers and documentary projects featured at Encounters 2026
• Discover companies, producers, and collaborators working across the continent
• Access curated industry resources and insights
• Film events and markets from Africa and around the world, including major festivals, labs, and networking opportunities
• Build connections with professionals at every level of the industry
Signing up is free and gives you full access to the Encounters showcase and the broader Filmmart.Africa network. Visit www.filmmart.africa to register.
About Durban FilmMart Institute
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where African professionals and products are globally competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support and facilitate investment in the African film industry. The Durban FilmMart Institute runs year round developmental programmes and an annual market (Durban FilmMart). The DFMI is the custodian of Filmmart.Africa which is an online tool for filmmakers to connect and which we hope will enhance visibility for African content. For more information about the DFMI programmes visit www.durbanfilmmart.co.za