The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival is accepting submissions for its 27th edition, taking place from 19 – 29 June 2025 in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and other locations. The festival considers feature-length, mid-length, and short documentary films completed after January 2023.

Since its establishment in 1999, Encounters has showcased a curated selection of international and African documentaries, focusing on a range of themes, including social justice, politics, arts and culture, technology, current affairs, personal narratives, education, history, and environmental issues. The program includes award-winning and critically recognized works, alongside projects from both established and emerging filmmakers.

The festival features various jury awards, media exposure opportunities, and audience engagement initiatives, including an Outreach Programme that extends screenings beyond main cinema venues. Awards presented at the festival include the Adiaha Award, in partnership with the Ladima Foundation, recognizing the best documentary by an African woman; the Al Jazeera Best African and International Documentary Award; and The Refinery Best Edited Film Award.