Khalid
Shamis’ Imam & I was
the most popular local film and the overall audience favourite at Encounters
South African International Documentary Festival, which ended on Sunday, 26
June 2011.
Imam
& I is a tribute to Shamis’ grandfather, the influential 1960s Imam
Abdullah Haron, and an exploration of the Muslim community’s participation (and
lack thereof) in the anti-Apartheid struggle. It sold out its three screenings,
as well as an additional screening put on due to audience demand. 81% of
audience respondents rated the documentary as “excellent.”
Charles
Ferguson’s Oscar-winning Inside
Job was the favourite international film, and the second most
popular film overall.
Mama
Goema: The Cape Town Beat in Five Movements was the second
most popular local film, and the fifth favourite overall. This multinational
documentary – co-directed by Columbia’s Angela Ramirez, Portugal’s Sara Gouveia
and South Africa’s Calum MacNaughton - is a love letter to Cape Town and its
unique soundtrack.
The
third most popular local film, and the sixth favourite overall, was Lauren
Beukes’Glitterboys and
Ganglands, the colourful story of three contestants at Miss Gay
Western Cape.
This
year’s Encounters had a record 22 sellouts over the 18 days. Opening
up the world to South Africans each year, Encounters is widely acclaimed as
Africa’s most prestigious documentary festival. This year’s selection featured
37 films from 14 countries and five continents, including 11 world premieres,
19 South African films and 17 international films.
“We’ve
seen an increased interest and a marked improvement in the local content this
year,” says Festival Director Mandisa Zitha. “Between the sell-outs, the
lively Q&As after the films, and the extensive press coverage, we’re very
happy with how this year’s festival went.”
