This year’s Encounters South African International Documentary Festivals features 20 films (co)directed by women, a quota that is in line with the percentage of women MPs in South Africa’s National Assembly. A number of the documentaries also focus on women.

The 10th edition of Encounters runs in Johannesburg at Nu Metro Hyde Part from 19 to 29 June and in Cape Town from 3 to 13 July. Among the films which focus on women is Iron Ladies of Liberia which is part of the Why Democray? series. The film highlights the work of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, the World Bank economist elected first female head of state of Africa in 2005. The film has also just scooped two major film awards at the Banff World Television Festival and the illustrious One World Media Awards in London.

Then there is Kenyan Judy Kibinge’s Coming of Age which shows Kenya growing to maturity as seen by a girl travelling the same road, first under Kenyatta with great optimism, then through turbulent teens with Daniel arap Moi, and then all grown up, but wondering ‘where to?’ under the rule of Mwai Kibaki.

South African Jane Lipman’s Courting Justice shows how after more than a decade after the end of apartheid, the judiciary is still made up of a select elite group of people. In all aspects of a judge’s professional life they are exactly the same as all the other judges, but these judges share one distinguishing feature: they are women. For years prior to the fall of Apartheid South Africa’s courts were presided over by white men. Thirteen years later, with all the judges that have been appointed, only 18% of superior court seats are held by women and only one female judge holds a leadership position.

The American production Angels in the Dust (Louise Hogarth) reveals a quiet miracle in the Magaliesberg. The Cloetes uppedsticks, leaving all temporal comforts behind, and headed for the hills. These particular hills are home to an impoverished community, the population eroded by HIV/Aids, and where educational opportunities are limited. Here the Cloetes have established an orphanage and a school, housing some 250 children and feeding a further 280 daily – children whose parents have been killed by the pandemic or whose family do not see the value of an education.

From Cameroon comes The Encounter (Cyrille Masso) which explores the country’s vibrant underground Hip Hop scene via an encounter between a singer / rapper and a music anthropology student. Lyonga Cathy aka Krucial Kate is an aspirant Hip Hop star who is inspired by Alicia Keyes. Yushi Yamohara is a student from Oskaka University in Japan, who has come to Cameroon to research the music of the Baka people.

The Togo production Itchombi (Gantille Assih Menguizan) shows how in the village of Solla, scarification and circumcision rituals are compulsory for all young boys. The initiation rites start with the traditional marking of skin around the boys’ hips, followed two years later by circumcision. These are festive occasions for the entire community, accompanied by dancing and feasting. Women and men play an equal role in the initiation preparations. However, when one young man refuses to undergo circumcision until a more hygienic method is used, it causes much controversy.

For a taste of the other films on offer log onto www.encounters.co.za