ENCOUNTERS 2025: SHORTS BLOCK - ROOTS OF RESISTANCE

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. 

SEE THE FULL BIOSCOPE PROGRAM HERE

SHORTS BLOCK - ROOTS OF RESISTANCE

The Other Side of Beauty (13V)

Dir. Sami Saif Sirelkhatim & Sofia Abdellatifi Garcia | Morocco | Sudan | 11 min | 2024 

The Other Side of Beauty follows Sudanese photographer, Mohamed Nabil, who exposes the genocide in Darfur through his lens and learns the cost of truth under an oppressive regime.

Dreams of a Revolution (13 V) 

Dir. Pedro Neves | France | Mozambique | Portugal | 14 min | 2023 

Echoing the history of Mozambique’s revolution, guided by archival footage and personal reflection, Dreams of a Revolution explores the legacy of colonialism in the ongoing pursuit of justice and equality.

The Medallion  (10 PG)

Dir. Ruth Hunduma | UK | Ethiopia | 19 min | 2024 

In The Medallion, filmmaker Ruth Hunduma explores the Red Terror genocide that took place in Ethiopia in the 1970s. Based on frank and honest conversations with her mother, who was kidnapped in middle school by Derg militia and raised in a prison camp for years, the film recalls the terror of the past, while also highlighting the joy and warmth of her mother’s life today. Made while the recent Tigray war was being fought in Ethiopia, Hunduma’s courageous film shines a light on a tragic history that has never been given its due and is little-known outside of the country.

Ahmad Alive (13PG V)

Dir. Yusuf Omar & Aurelia Driver | Palestine | South Africa | 21 min | 2024 

Ahmad Alive follows Gazan vlogger, Ahmad Ghunaim, who uses his phone to document Israel’s genocide on Gaza, capturing the daily realities of survival, displacement and conflict in Palestine. 

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!