Music is a constant companion to human endeavour and exists everywhere a person would give voice to his/her spirit. Whether we are working, playing, or fighting, celebrating life, or mourning, there is music that expresses how we feel and accompanies us in our efforts.

Not only will the audience will be taken to post-war Manchester which inspired the lads that would become famous as Joy Division, the festival will showcase specific instruments such as the Mbira in Zimbabwe and observe the making of a very special instrument, a Steinway grand piano.

Two film enthusiasts launched the South African International Documentary Festival in the Mother City in 1999, with 17 South African and six international films on the bill and a total of 20 screenings that would draw 2500 viewers.

Nine years later, in 2007, the festival was still going and growing, boasting a lineup of 18 South African and 35 international films, 215 screenings, and had 18 South African, 11 international guests and 15 600 viewers in attendance in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Over the years, Encounters has repeatedly screened films by Jihan El-Tahri, Alex Gibney, winner of the 2008 Oscar for Documentary Film, Christian Frei, Ditsi Carolino and Leonard Helmrich Retel and established strong links with other festivals, among them IDFA in Amsterdam and MIPDoc in Cannes.

Encounters partners with MIPDoc and is responsible for the nomination of the African Trailblazer, a prestigious award that promotes the work and careers of African documentary filmmakers.

This year's festival is supported by: SABC, NFVF, Cape Film Commission, Western Cape Government, Jan Vrijman/IDFA, Africalia, Gauteng Film Commission, Goethe Institut, French Embassy, Tempest, US Consulate, British Council, French Embassy, Holland Film, The Times, Nu Metro, Exclusive Books.

Go to www.encounters.co.za for further information and booking details.

[12 Jun 2008 08:42]

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