For one week this month, the Kalahari will become a meeting place for filmmakers, young storytellers and community members as films tackle issues that are often discussed in homes, communities and public spaces from land and migration to identity, gender-based violence, ageing and social injustice.
The Africa Human Rights Film Festival returns to Rietfontein and Andriesvale from 12 to 18 October 2026, bringing films, discussions, workshops and training opportunities closer to communities in the region.
Now in its eighth year, the festival is being held under the theme “Setting the Discourse”, with organisers calling on audiences to think critically about the information they consume at a time when misinformation is spreading rapidly through social media and other platforms.
Festival director Davison Mudzingwa said the festival wants people to do more than simply watch films.
“People are too busy with technology, doomscrolling, and a world that sort of praises low attention span. We want this festival to revive the spirit of taking, debating and critically analysing issues,” Mudzingwa said.
Four films produced by young Kalahari filmmakers will form part of this year’s programme. The films explore issues such as identity, gender-based violence and the experiences of young people growing up in the region.
Mudzingwa said giving young filmmakers a platform is important in changing how rural and marginalised communities are portrayed.
“A lot has been said about the marginalisation of the Kalahari. We believe the film ecosystem is beginning to show signs of growth following years of skills development and film exhibition,” he said.
“With proper support and resourcing, marginalised communities can compete equally with peers elsewhere in the world and their unique stories are the currency.”
The festival programme also brings stories from beyond the Kalahari to local audiences.
Among the films is Dear Sikhonkwane, directed by Sihle Hlope, which explores the life and contribution of one of the first SiSwati authors and his commitment to preserving his mother tongue.
Hearts Remember examines dementia and ageing through the experiences of five families, including the previously untold story of former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker.
The importance of food security and indigenous knowledge is explored in SEED IS LIFE, directed by Deidre May. The documentary follows farmers and communities in South Africa and Zimbabwe working to protect indigenous seed systems.
Migration and displacement take centre stage in EXODUS: A WAR AGAINST THE PEOPLE, directed by Bijoyini Chatterjee, which follows families fleeing violence at the Mexico-US border.
South Africa’s history is explored through films such as Christopher Truter, A Child of 1976, directed by Deidré Jantjies. The film follows Carmelita Truter’s efforts to secure recognition for her uncle Christopher Truter, who was killed by police in Cape Town in August 1976.
Land, one of South Africa’s most enduring issues, also features prominently. A Piece of Ground, directed by Sesihle Manzini, examines the country’s history of dispossession, slavery and forced removals, while Stolen Ground: The Tygerberg Raceway Story, directed by Joe Emilio, looks at land occupation and the tensions surrounding property rights.
But organisers say the festival is not simply about watching films.
Young people and aspiring filmmakers will have opportunities to participate in filmmaking workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions and networking sessions. Training will be provided by experienced industry practitioners, including veteran trainer Hein Ungerer and filmmaker and trainer Joy Nkgapele.
The festival was launched in 2018 and has sought to combine film exhibition with skills development, with the broader aim of building a sustainable film industry in the Kalahari.
For local communities, this year’s festival offers an opportunity to see stories from different parts of the world while also seeing their own experiences reflected on screen.
It also provides young people with an opportunity to learn how to turn the issues they see around them into stories that can reach audiences beyond the Kalahari.
The Africa Human Rights Film Festival is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP).
The festival takes place in Rietfontein and Andriesvale from 12 to 18 October 2026.
