Film & Cinematography News South Africa

Limited funding brings Encounters back to Mother City

Because of limited funding as a result of the global financial crisis, the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival will only be held in Cape Town, 2 - 19 July 2009, it was announced late last week.

After celebrating its 10th anniversary last year, the festival will return to where it originated: the Mother City.

Explained festival director Mandisa Zitha, "The reason for not hosting Encounters in Johannesburg this year is that we have received limited funding as a result of the current global financial crisis.”

The brand of the festival will remain the same, though.

"We have already programmed an exciting lineup of local and international films for this year. We believe this realignment will consolidate our brand, and compel patrons from different provinces to make the annual documentary pilgrimage to Cape Town every July," she said.

The festival will be held at the Nu Metro V&A Waterfront in Cape Town for a total of 17 days after the opening night on 2 July. The programme will be online as from 1 June. Go to www.encounters.co.za for further information and booking details.

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