It is always with excitement and anticipation that we present our programme to the public … and wait with bated breath for your reaction. We continuously strive to surpass our past successes, despite the many constraints we work within.

Our small team of reviewers scoured through 487 entries to compile a programme of 29 international and 22 SA films. We are proud to present the 2012 line up of the last year's most compelling documentaries; award-winners, festival darlings, SA world premières and fresh student films.

The continuous support of the National Film and Video Foundation has provided a life line to the Festival for the past 7 years. Their mandate to local film festivals is instrumental to audience growth and the continuation of our development programmes.

Through further partnerships and funders, we have succeeded in organising the most interesting and enlightening industry programme: three master classes and presentations, a SAGE editing seminar, and two Can't Just Fold Your Arms panel discussions.

Son of our soil and South Africa's first Oscar winner Jon Blair is presenting some of his works as part of a special focus. Blair will host an informative master class based on his extensive experience as a director and producer.

A collaboration with UCT will ensure that this is a not-to-be-missed event.

Dr Mitzi Goldman will use her 20 years of experience to provide practical tips on storytelling and fundraising in her master class.

Eminent American filmmaker and innovator Tiffany Shlain joins us courtesy of the American Film Showcase, presenting her stunning film Connected: An Autoblogography about Love, Death and Technology as well as an intriguing presentation on "cloud filmmaking".

We are pleased to announce a partnership with Al Jazeera this year. The award-winning international news channel with a wide global reach is presenting a special focus of their investigative films, as well as hosting a presentation to the industry. Of particular interest to local filmmakers is the channel's bold programming of African news stories.

We welcome the 23 South African filmmakers whose films are presented this year. We also warmly welcome the 5 international guests who travelled of their own account, and through the support of Embassies and Consulates.

It is only through the courageous and unflinching eye of the documentary filmmaker that the stories behind the news can be told. We are looking forward to interesting interactions with you during the many Q&A's planned.

It is through the generosity of certain individuals and companies, that we have been able to present you with this excellent programme. Their support has ensured that we do not forgo great films, due to high screening fee costs. We encourage our friends to participate in this manner to ensure that we programme the films you wish to see and sustain this important event.

We thank all our Festival sponsors, partners and filmmakers who provide their films for free. We also thank our many Festival friends, who volunteer knowledge, skills, contacts and much more. The Encounters team works tirelessly with minimal resources to compile this programme - it's a labour of love. We look forward to seeing you often.

Mandisa Zitha
Festival Director



Encounters 2012 team

Staff
Mandisa Zitha: Director
Nazeer Ahmed: Operations Manager
Andreas Späth: Head of Programming
Carol de Vos: Bookkeeper
Nololo Lange: Office Assistant
Lucky Kwatsha: Projectionist
Loyolo Stofile: Projectionist
Donovan Oostendorp: Production Assistant/Chaperone
Steven Markovitz
Nodi Murphy

Encounters Board
Jennifer Herman
Susan Levine
Steven Markovitz
Kgomotso Matsunyane
Nodi Murphy
Dumisa Ntsebeza
Ciraj Rassool
Mandisa Zitha

Film Writers
Peter Frost, Isla Haddow-Flood

Marketing and Publicity
Joy Sapieka, Kevin Kriedemann

Design and Layout
Encounters Team, K&i Design, Tania Bester

Web Development
Salamander Web Media