Zuko Komisa

Acclaimed South African filmmaker and artist, Mmabatho Montsho, has been named a member of the jury panel for the 2025 Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, marking another significant achievement in her illustrious career.
The Encounters Festival, a cornerstone event for documentary cinema in South Africa, commenced recently, showcasing a diverse selection of contemporary local and international feature and short documentaries.
Montsho will lend her expertise to the adjudication of the highly regarded Encounters Al Jazeera Award for Best International Documentary.
“We’re honoured to welcome Mmabatho Montsho to the 2025 jury panel.
“A multidisciplinary filmmaker, award-winning writer-director, and visual artist, Montsho is a passionate advocate for social justice whose work boldly centres the voices of women and children,” announced the Encounters Festival.
The festival further lauded Montsho’s extensive contributions to the film industry, highlighting her roles in curating and directing the Human Rights Film Festival and Basha Uhuru Film Festival for Constitution Hill.
Montsho’s judging credentials are equally impressive, having previously served on panels for prestigious events such as the International Emmy Awards, the SAFTAs (South African Film and Television Awards), the Wits Student Film Awards, and the WGSA Muse Awards.
READ NEXT: Tinah Mnumzana, Sannah Mchunu and Nozuko Ntshangase join Generations: The Legacy



