The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival has announced the award-winners of the festival following a successful 27th edition which closeD off on Sunday 29 June in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
“We are proud to recognise these award-winning documentaries—not only for their bold contributions to the film industry, but for the powerful stories they tell and the distant realities they allowed us to witness,” says Festival Director Mandisa Zitha.
- Encounters Al Jazeera Award for Best African Feature Documentary
Winner – Mothers of Chibok by Director Joel ‘Kachi Benson (USA/Australia/Nigeria) 2024 Runner-Up – And She Didn’t Die by Director Kethiwe Ngcobo (South Africa/UK) 2025
Special Mentions – Khartoum by Directors Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed, Rawia Alhag, Philip Cox and Anas Saeed (Germany/United Kingdom/Sudan/Qatar) 2025 and Didy by Directors Gaël Kamilindi and François-Xavier Destors (Rwanda/Switzerland/France) 2024
The jury for this award comprised of Dr Nataleah Hunter-Young, Samuel Tebandeke and Sihle Hlophe, with their citation reading: “Mothers of Chibok offers a patient portrayal of what it means to persist in spite of terror, personal loss, and indefinite longing. Framed gracefully in natural light, the director measures the passage of time from seed to harvest, exalting these women who — undeterred by fear — continue to cultivate the land so they can formally educate their children. The film receives the award for the aforementioned, and its delicate treatment of incorruptible love.”
- Encounters Al Jazeera Award for Best International Feature Documentary
Winner – Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk by Director Sepideh Farsi (France/ Palestine) 2025
Runner-Up – Union by Directors Stephen Maing and Brett Story (United States) 2024
Special Mention – Mr Nobody Against Putin by Directors David Borenstein and Pavel Talankin (Denmark/Czech Republic) 2025
The jury for this award included Mmbatho Montsho, Julie Nederkoorn, and Peter Rorvik.
The jury citation reads: “In a time when media freedom is threatened from all sides this deeply humanising film gives face and voice to slain journalist Fatima Hassouna, and life in Gaza – it stands as a powerful and moving tribute not just for Fatima Hassouna but also for the more than 200 journalists killed in Gaza, and for all the countless innocent lives lost.”
- Ster-Kinekor Encounters Youth Experience Award for Best African Short Documentary
Winner – The Rock Speaks by Directors Francois Knoetze, Amy Louise Wilson and Joe-Yves Salankang Sa-Ngol (South Africa) 2024
Runner-Up – Guardian of the Well by Directors Bentley Brown and Tahir Ben Mahamat Zene (Chad) 2025
Speaking of this category, the jury comprising Elizabeth-Ann Oratile Fosu, Seraya Madeleine and Zoë Magwaza said, “In a world where truth is often contested and justice remains elusive for many, these documentaries serve as vital interventions — humanising the lived experiences behind headlines, on voices too often marginalised, and on environmental realities too often ignored.”
“The Rock Speaks is a documentary which speaks thematically to the pressing socio-political and environmental issues that have sieged the state of Congo. By boldly shattering the conventions of documentary film-making. Additionally, Guardian of the Well which highlights Chad in its call to action in the climate crisis.”
4a. Ronelle Loots Award for Best Edited South African Feature (Supported by the South African Guild of Editors (SAGE))
Winner: And She Didn’t Die editor Khalid Shamis and Kuti Rashikhuthuma
4b. Ronelle Loots Award for Best Edited South African Short Supported by the South African Guild of Editors (SAGE))
Winner: Never Come Fetch Me editors Dan Canyon and Xander Vander
Jurors for this category were Catherine Meyburgh, Nikki Comninos and Yoav Dagan.
The jury recognised And She Didn’t Die for its exceptional editorial craft, saying, “The film demonstrates a masterful command of rhythm and pace that creates a satisfying viewing experience. The edit shows precision and clarity. The film’s rhythmic sophistication reveals an editor who understands that great editing is felt as much as it is seen.”
Never Come Fetch Me, they said, “..stands out as a beautiful poetic film that conjures a deep sense of subjectivity with its central character. The audience is invited into his world and is left with lingering emotional resonance long after watching.” The jury recognises it for its artistic ambition, visual excellence, and the editor’s commitment to creating cinema that operates on both intellectual and emotional levels.
5.Liezel Vermeulen Award for Service to the Documentary Sector – Miki Redelinghuys
The Liezel Vermeulen Award for Service to the Documentary Sector was established by the Documentary Filmmakers Association of South Africa (DFA) in 2024. The award is in honour of Liezel whose passing was a deep loss to the association and the industry. Liezel was an established producer and served as the DFA’s Communications Manager for 12 years.
The DFA board of 2025 are delighted to announce and congratulate this year’s winner, Miki Redelinghuys. A renowned filmmaker, Miki’s many notable films, such as Mother City (Best African Documentary at AFRIFF 2024) and Keiskamma – A Story of Love, showcase her creative excellence and activist spirit.
Miki supports fellow filmmakers as a coach and impact producer, and leads initiatives like Climate Story Lab ZA. She serves the DFA with generosity, vision, and unwavering dedication, mirroring the same commitment that Liezel had to the organisation. She co-initiated the DFA’s docLOVE programme in 2018, which has grown documentary audiences and sparked socially conscious dialogue countrywide.
Through her work, Miki continues to inspire and empower documentary filmmakers, fostering a community that drives social impact. She truly embodies the essence of what the Liezel Vermeulen Award seeks to recognise and celebrate. Congratulations Miki!
6.The Rough Cut Lab (RCLA) Awards
The RCLA granted a range of prizes to selected films:
Agu Rixu received $1,000 and a potential co-production deal from Al Jazeera Documentary; Big Boys Don’t Cry won an $8,000 audio post package from Pressure Cooker Studios, sound services from FigLeaf Studios, and poster design from ANIMA;
Pulo received picture finishing support from The Refinery;
Trans Revolution and My Father’s Son and Bi also won sound services from FigLeaf Studios (Egypt).
Safe Memories earned an invitation to the Cairo Film Connection;
Remains of the Past received color grading from Yennega (Senegal) and finishing from Free Monkeyz (Morocco);
Star Behind Icons received consultation from DocA (Kenya);
Naitre Fille won finishing support from Free Monkeyz, consultations, and grading from Legends Post(JHB); Truck Mama also received grading from Legends Post; and
EVERYONE will receive DCP creation from Al Jazeera Documentary.
