Cape Town
Encounters Iliso Lethu African Documentary Symposium
We invite you to the Encounters Iliso Lethu African Documentary Symposium
20 — 21 June 2024 in Cape Town
66 Greatmore (entrance on Regent Street), Woodstock, Cape Town
Iliso Lethu seeks to be the intellectual centrepiece of the African documentary calendar, ushering in a new era of alliance and exposure on the continent. The symposium is a space for industry practitioners, established and emerging filmmakers, academics, historians, government representatives and civil society, to engage in critical conversations about the state of African documentary and the community’s challenges and opportunities. The gathering will include a keynote introduction with leading experts and a range of panel discussions with filmmakers and guest speakers.
This inaugural event is the perfect opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for African documentaries and have a vision to help shape the future of documentary and network-building in Africa.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:
THURS 20 JUNE
10:00 – 10:45
REGISTRATION & WELCOME PACK
10:45 – 11:00
INTRODUCTION
Dr Liani Maasdorp
Moderator
Dr Julia Cain
Moderator
11:00 – 12:30
ILISO LETHU KEYNOTE PANEL
Join Encounters for the opening keynote of the inaugural Iliso Lethu African Documentary Symposium. The discussion will reflect on the evolving landscape of African documentary filmmaking and examine current trends, including the integration of AI, the continued rise of co-productions, greener filmmaking practices, equitable funding models, and how to strengthen festival and market opportunities. Featuring visionary directors who challenge conventional narratives, trailblazing content and film producers who innovate within the field, to daring curators and market directors, this discussion will spotlight the dynamic professionals who are reshaping the African documentary narrative. All eyes on Africa as we embrace the unfolding horizons of documentary filmmaking and its corresponding film communities, hubs, spaces, and platforms!
Steven Markovitz
Panellist
12:30 – 13:30
SOLIDARITY IN DOCUMENTARY FILM: NAVIGATING TURBULENT TIMES
Within the current polycrisis of our times, this panel explores the role(s) documentary film, filmmakers and scholarship can play in the face of rising ethno-nationalism and neo-fascism, deepening racism and inequality, and ecocide and genocide. In this global conjuncture, we question how documentary film can open new ways to apprehend, understand, process and engage with these demands across multiple scales and historical entanglements – and how the form offers different potentialities to news journalism.
In the face of witnessing Israel’s current genocidal assault on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, and at the same time recognising the relative global invisibility of the war and suspected genocide in Sudan, what does documentary film open up for audiences and publics? How are documentary film, filmmakers and scholars implicated in these unfoldings and what are our responsibilities? This is an invitation to documentary filmmakers and scholars to reimagine the political stakes of the form.
13:30 – 14:30
LUNCH
14:30 – 15:45
CINEMATIC CITIES: ACTIVISM AND URBAN APARTHEID AMIDST 30 YEARS OF SOUTH AFRICAN DEMOCRACY
In an era defined by rapid urbanisation and entrenched socio-economic divides, documentary serves as a powerful instrument to address these transformations. “Cinematic Cities” aims to explore the intersection of urban development, filmmaking, and activism, in the compelling documentary Mother City, which confronts Cape Town’s housing crisis. The panel will address the film’s impact in crafting narratives of resistance, especially as we celebrate and challenge three decades of democracy in South Africa this year, asking: How does Mother City navigate the emotional and social issues faced by Cape Town’s working class in their struggle for space and dignity? The panel will also examine the boldness required in embracing disruptive narratives that confront the status quo and politicise filmmaking. By engaging with these topics, the session will encourage a deeper understanding of how community activism can effect change, highlighting the role of filmmakers in shaping public discourse and policy.
FRI 21 JUNE
09:30 – 10:15
REGISTRATION & WELCOME PACK
10:15 – 10:30
INTRODUCTION
Dr Liani Maasdorp
Moderator
Dr Julia Cain
Moderator
10:30 – 12:00
EXPANDING HORIZONS: LEVERAGING ARCHIVES AND DIGITAL INNOVATION FOR INCLUSIVE STORYTELLING IN SOUTH AFRICAN DOCUMENTARY FILMMAKING
This DFA-led travelling panel is the second in a series about film archives, moving from the Johannesburg Film Festival to Encounters South African International Documentary Festival in Cape Town, and concluding at the Durban FilmMart in Durban.
Tackling high archive costs in South Africa has long been a pressing issue for many South African documentary filmmakers. Ongoing discussions and debates around the implications and complications of acquiring archive material, which many believe should be publicly available, remain a continuous battle for the creative filmmaking process. This panel seeks to foster dialogue towards more equitable and accessible archival practices in South Africa, and aims at leveraging archival material for documentary filmmaking, focusing on digital innovation, collaboration, and expanding access through partnerships. It will also highlight the role of technology in transforming archive accessibility and models for public-private partnerships that can enhance access. While ensuring the sustainability of archives, the panel hopes to provide insights into how media companies view their roles as custodians of cultural heritage and their contributions to documentary filmmaking.
Dr Geraldine Frieslaar
Panellist
Nadine Cloete
Panellist
12:00 – 13:30
INSPIRE ACTION! DOCUMENTARY X THE CLIMATE CRISIS
Understanding the root causes and key players behind the climate crisis is crucial. Activists, filmmakers, and partners tirelessly bring these critical stories to our attention. Yet, beliefs surrounding the crisis have become deeply entrenched and divisive, necessitating more than just film festival screenings. This panel, hosted by Climate Story Lab South Africa, explores the power of documentaries to drive measurable and impactful change. We believe that with a targeted impact strategy, films like My Mercury, Temperature Rising, and Wild Coast Warriors can inspire significant shifts in our collective understanding and response to this global crisis.
13:30 – 14:30
LUNCH
14:30 – 16:00
STORIES THAT MATTER: TACTILE, ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE FILMMAKING
“Stories that Matter” will explore the intricate dynamics of creating documentaries that tackle sensitive topics, while maintaining a responsible approach to storytelling. Focussing on the films Black People Don’t Get Depressed, Ek Wil Haar Nie Verloor Nie, Cape-Helena, and I Did Not Ask for This!, each presents unique perspectives on social issues, mental health, and historical and racial legacies. The conversation will be rooted in the filmmakers’ and protagonists’ journeys to illuminate untold or underrepresented stories, particularly when visual evidence is not available, exploring the tactile methods they use to connect with their subjects and audiences. How do filmmakers ensure accuracy, show care, and maintain respect for those whose experiences are shared? The panellists will address the considerations filmmakers bear in mind when dealing with subjects of trauma and resilience, highlighting the balance between narrative impact and truth.
16:00 – 16:45
RECEPTION/COCKTAIL
Post Screening Panels
Labia 1 Sat 22 June 7.30pm + Panel
BYE BYE TIBERIAS POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “Vanished Places, Scattered Memories”
A FIDAI FILM POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “Notes on the Archives”
Zara Julius
Panellist
Ster-Kinekor V&A 11 Sun 23 June 2pm + Panel
NO OTHER LAND POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “Inevitability and Temporal Reflections Amidst Crisis”
Bioscope Sun 23 June 3pm + Panel
BYE BYE TIBERIAS POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “On Exile, Homelands, Return and Memory”
Johannesburg
RCLA x GOETHE x ENCOUNTERS Industry Day
Goethe Institut
119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood
Saturday, 29 June 2024
SAT 29 JUNE
10:00 – 12:00
RCLAs NOMADIC HORIZONS: Exploring the Essence, History, and Future of Rough Cut Lab Africa
Join us for a deep dive into the ethos, intention, history and future of Rough Cut Lab Africa (RCLA).
Developed with the South Africa Guild of Editors Guild (SAGE) and Encounters South African International Documentary Festival and rooted in the Pan-African spirit, this innovative initiative embodies nomadic intentions, African and diasporic networks and connections and conversations across the Global South.
RCLA recognises the need for filmmakers on the continent to have secure, well-versed, and well-resourced supporting knowledge of editing and story construction through consultation and mentorship. Documentary film is well supported on the continent regarding development and production initiatives, but somehow we lack story editing and construction. More often than not, our films are constructed and finished outside of the continent; while being beneficial overall for the film project, it leaves us in a deficit and a reliance on outside story support, which exacerbates historical relationships of reliance on the global North.
Since its inception RCLA has been reshaping narratives, empowering filmmakers and editors and forging cultural exchanges across continents. Explore the significance of its journey, the transformative power of its collaborations, and the boundless horizons it envisions for the cinematic landscape of Africa and beyond.
SAT 29 JUNE
14:00 – 15:30
SAGE EDITING PANEL: CROSSING BOUNDARIES, CROSSING BORDERS
Documentary editing is a place where boundaries are drawn and transcended. But how does this work without creating divisions in the room at the expense of the story?
Join us for a discussion with Melissa Parry, Nikki Comninos, and Khalid Shamis as they dissect, expose, and reveal their experiences in ‘the room’. How does one hold, handle, and manage the space while asserting one’s vision without overstepping the director’s?
As today’s form of editing increasingly includes cross-continental and international collaborations, how do editors navigate the constraints of geography and understanding with technology and insight?
In conversation with SAGE editors Khalid Shamis (RCLA director) Melissa Parry (RCLA consultant), Nikki Comninos (RCLA consultant).
Melissa Parry
RCLA Consultant
SAT 29 JUNE
15:45 – 16:45
MASTERCLASS: THE ART OF EVAPORATION – A JOURNEY WITH ANDREAS HARTMANN
Join acclaimed director Andreas Hartmann for an illuminating masterclass in documentary filmmaking. “The Art of Evaporation: Capturing Invisible Stories” will delve into the transformative journey from visual curiosity to compelling cinematic narrative. Discover how nonverbal communication becomes a powerful conduit for profound storytelling and learn the intricacies of Hartmann’s unique approach. This masterclass – spanning directing, cinematography, and editing – promises to inspire, enlighten, and challenge your perceptions of documentary storytelling, offering insights and practical wisdom.
SAT 29 JUNE
16:45 – 18:00
CUTTING EDGE CONNECTIONS: NETWORKING WITH ENCOUNTERS AND ROUGH CUT LAB AFRICA
Step into a dynamic networking event where the worlds of seasoned and emerging editors intersect, offering fertile ground for collaboration and creative synergy. Hosted by the Goethe-Institut of South Africa, this gathering goes beyond the usual meet-and-greet format by fostering genuine connections and dialogue. Engage with industry leaders, share your experiences, and uncover fresh talent in a dynamic atmosphere. Whether you aim to broaden your professional circle, find a mentor, or explore new partnerships, this event is a catalyst for innovation and growth in editing and documentary filmmaking.
Remarks:
NFVF representatives
Remarks
Goethe-Institut representatives
Remarks
SAT 29 JUNE
18:00 – 21:00
VINYL MIXER
Join the Vinyl Mixer – where beats and connections come together effortlessly. This must-attend event, capping off the day, features music and mingling with DJs Khalid Shamis, Tymon Smith, and The Straitjacket Tailor. Enjoy drinks, groove to the vinyl vibes, and network with fellow creatives. This is your chance to socialise, unwind, and create something extraordinary!
Post Screening Panels
The Zone @ Rosebank 3 Sun 30 June 4.30pm + Panel
NO OTHER LAND POST PANEL DISCUSSION: “The Artist as Witness, Ally and Friend”
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