Lifting awards at film festivals is just the start of the journey for documentaries like The Last Shelter (Mali), No U-Turn (Nigeria) and No Simple Way Home (South Sudan).
A demonstration in memory of Dulcie September, Paris 1988.
Georges Merillon/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
The 1988 murder of the exiled ANC leader has never been solved – but by raising awareness and targeting core viewers, the film aims to help change that.
A still featuring opposition leader Nelson Chamisa from the film President (2021).
Louverture Films/President/Encounters South African International Documentary Festival
The award-winning documentary - now on in South Africa - follows opposition leader Nelson Chamisa. But it spends too much time in meetings instead of giving insight into the bigger picture.
A tide of ‘the feels’ buoyed the underdog documentary to an Oscar win – but the local industry will need to focus on where international gains are most needed.