Fresh from winning the Peace Film Prize at the Berlin International Film Festival, Tutu will have its African premiere at the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival this June.
The feature documentary offers an intimate portrait of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the rebel cleric and Nobel Peace Prize winner who played a pivotal role in ending Apartheid in South Africa.
Even for those familiar with his story, the footage carries startling power. The film captures Tutu intervening to stop a mob, losing his temper over international political decisions, and weeping while chairing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Throughout the film, his iconic laughter serves as a backdrop to his unwavering commitment to speaking truth to power.
A Heartbeat of Humanity and Moral Conviction
“I wanted Tutu’s voice to be the heartbeat of the story, to let his humanity, humour and moral conviction lead us through his world,” says director Sam Pollard. Pollard, an Emmy and Peabody Award winner, is well known for his work on MLK/FBI and his extensive editing career with Spike Lee on films like Jungle Fever and the Oscar-nominated 4 Little Girls.
Central to the film is a remarkable archive captured over two decades by South African journalist Roger Friedman and photographer Benny Gool. The documentary shows how Tutu’s activism expanded globally, continuing well after his retirement and cementing his legacy as “South Africa’s conscience.”
Tutu has received Global Praise
The Hollywood Reporter praised the documentary as “a deeply personal portrait of the man, so much so that by the film’s conclusion you will feel as if you’ve truly come to know him.” Tutu is produced by HiddenLight and the Universal Pictures Content Group, with Richard Branson and Trevor Noah serving as executive producers.
During the festival, Pollard will attend screenings and host editing masterclasses in Cape Town and Johannesburg alongside editor Paul Trewartha. The film closes on Tutu’s own optimistic note, reminding the world that no situation is ever absolutely devoid of hope.
Encounters Festival Screenings and Masterclasses
The 28th edition of Encounters, Africa’s longest-running documentary film festival, will run from 4–14 June 2026. Catch the screenings of Tutu at the following times:
Cape Town Screenings:
- Sunday, 7 June 2026 at 12:30 at the Labia Theatre
- Sunday, 7 June 2026 at 16:30 at the V&A Waterfront Ster-Kinekor
Johannesburg Screenings:
- Tuesday, 9 June 2026 at 17:00 at Ster-Kinekor Sandton
- Wednesday, 10 June 2026 at 18:30 at Ster-Kinekor Southgate
Masterclasses & Legacy Panels (Sponsored by Clinix):
- Monday, 8 June 2026 in Cape Town
- Wednesday, 10 June 2026 in Johannesburg
For ticket sales and further details, visit the official Encounters website.
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