docLOVE presents a free screening of AFRICAN MOOT

The Bioscope and the Documentary Filmmakers Association (DFA) are proud to host this month's free docLOVE screening, with the support of the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP3); AFRICAN MOOT.

Genre: Documentary

Directed by: Shameela Seedat

Duration: 85 mins

The screening will be followed by a special audience Q&A session with the director, Shameela Seedat.

Synopsis:

Every year, over a hundred of the most talented law students from across the African continent gather to compete in the prestigious African Human Rights Moot Competition, the largest mock court competition in Africa held in different capital cities annually.

During the competition these young aspirant lawyers act as both prosecution and defence, in cutting-edge human rights fictional court cases, each hoping to win the case and bring home the trophy.

AFRICAN MOOT follows the journey of four passionate law student teams from Cape Town, Cairo, Kampala and Nairobi as they spend months preparing for a case dealing with refugee rights. They travel to Botswana, converging for an intense week of legal oratory, debate, adventure and bonding in an emotionally-charged environment.

Tracking their progress through events and competition rounds, leading to a dramatic finale before international judges presiding over Botswana’s highest court, the film intimately captures the characters’ hopes, doubts, disappointments and inner and outer conflicts as they navigate this high stakes event. 

AFRICAN MOOT uses the surface device of the popular competition documentary genre to ask deeper questions about refugee rights, freedom of movement, African identity and the possibility of hope for the future — and reveals how committed youth are in trying to shape the future of the continent they call home.

About docLOVE: The DFA's docLOVE programme hosts free screenings on a monthly basis at five venues around the country. Screenings are available to DFA members and all members of the public. The docLOVE programme is made possible by the Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme (PESP3), administered by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF).