2009 marks the 7th annual edition of the Festival which runs between 10 September and 12 October in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Tshwane. Of the 50 plus films in this year's programme, approximately a third is local.
Festival co-director Rehad Desai notes that all the films have either won critical acclaim or achieved success in their respective countries. "We specifically use films to open up discussion and debate on important issues, thereby deepening democracy. In addition, many of our films are seen by very different types of people across the breadth and width of the country - youth groups, film clubs, religious sectors, civics, students, etc".
"Our understanding of human rights is very broad so we show well made, innovative films that have something fresh and serious to say about people and their societies."
Desai admits that it’s been a tough nine months for the festival. "Our donor foundations have been hit hard by the stock market crash, where most have their money invested. Many tax payer supported funds are shifting their focus away from films."
There were about 6 500 visitors to the festival in 2008. This year, organisers have prioritized expanding the Festival audience by including two more Johannesburg venues, namely Maponya Mall and Bedford Square.
Bob Coen's investigation into global bio-weaponary 'Anthrax War', features interviews with South Africa’s notorious 'Dr Death', Wouter Basson as well as Sowetan’s Themba Molefe and the Mail & Guardian's Sam Sole. The film will have its World Premiere at the Festival.
Rough Aunties by British filmmaker Kim Longinotto, takes an intricate look into the lives of a group of women from KwaZulu-Natal’s Bobbi Bear Foundation for abused children. Renowned African writer, poet and playwright Wole Soyinka tells his life story in Akin Omotoso's Wole Soyinka: Child of the Forest.
Canadian filmmaker Pepita Ferrari will attend the Festival to present her documentary Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary. The film features interviews with some the world’s leading documentary filmmakers.
Other highlights include: Jihan El-Tahri's Behind The Rainbow (2009 version); Fezeka's Voice by Holly Lubbock; The Glasshouse by Hamid Rahmanian & Melissa Hibbard; Red Oil by Lucinda Broadbent; The Silver Fez by Lloyd Ross; Sea Point Days by Francois Verster; Rewind by Liza Key; Burma VJ: Reporting From a Closed Country by Anders Hogsbro Ostergaard; The Reckoning by Pamela Yates; Heart of the Factory by Ernesto Ardito & Virna Molina and Soul Power by Jeffrey Levy-Hinte.
A collaborative effort, between Tri Continental Film Festival, Encounters South African International Documentary Festival and the Southern Africa Communications for Development (SACOD), the 2nd Biennial People to People Documentary Conference will be held in conjunction with the Festival. It runs from 10 to 12 September in Johannesburg.
