ENCOUNTERS 2025: MOTHERS OF CHIBOCK

Every year since our founding in 2010, The Bioscope has proudly hosted screenings of The Encounters South African International Documentary Festival. Now celebrating its 27th year as a festival, Encounters returns to The Bioscope once again with screenings at The Bioscope from 20 - 29 June. Tickets are R90. 

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MOTHERS OF CHIBOCK

Dir. Joel Kachi Benson | USA | Australia | Nigeria | 88 min | 2024 

This tenderly directed film looks at the lives of the mothers whose children were abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok, Northern Nigeria. Although Boko Haram means “Western education is forbidden”, it’s effectively an injunction against any formal education. These women are defiant and will continue educating their remaining children – regardless of the personal sacrifices it might require. The film follows them about their lives as they grow their cash crops, attend to the needs of their family, and wait, with constant hope, for the return of their kidnapped children – along with the young children that they have been forced to bear. When, after much waiting, one of the kidnapped women is returned to her mother, the celebration of her return is muted by the questions that all the other women have about news of their still-missing children. Mothers of Chibok celebrates the warmth, strength, and resilience of these remarkable women. It is a testament to the love, devotion and self-sacrifice of mothers everywhere.

In 2025, The Bioscope celebrates 15 Years Of Cinema. We couldn’t have achieved this without our dedicated staff who look after you every time you visit. We’re lucky enough to have had all of them with us for as long as we can remember, and believe that this loyalty deserves constant support!

For the months of May, June and July, we are running a special BIOSCOPE BIRTHDAY STAFF FUNDRAISER, where in the checkout of your ticket purchase, you can give a donation that will go straight to them - Owen, Silin, Bongi, Portia, Polite, and Swenkie!