Cape Town: The Silwerskermfees celebrates completion of 13 years in Cape Town. The Silwerskermfees is returning to Camps Bay and will present a rich selection of South African and Afrikaans film content. The content highlights the work of emerging talent through a diverse range of short films and documentaries.
The festival will take place for over four days from August 20 to 23, 2025 at The Bay Hotel and Theatre on the Bay.
Additionally, selected community screenings will take place in Grassy Park and Wynberg through a partnership between the festival and the Sunshine Cinema, with the awards ceremony, that is to be held at the CTICC .
The film programme features 33 films and documentaries of varying lengths, which will showcase a diverse array of work from award-winning filmmakers as well as rising local talent.
One of the most likable film to be screened is, ‘Closer to home is Finding Optel’. It telltales a story of a 16-year-old amateur detective – Claire Abrahams, who finds lost items in her neighbourhood. When the community’s beloved dog Optel goes missing, Claire is determined to track her down.
Another heartfelt documentary ‘Carissa’, tells the story of a young woman in a small Cederberg town who is driven out of her grandmother’s home and finds herself on the rooibos farm of her estranged grandfather. She dreams of success and excitement in the city, but the farm changes her irrevocably.
Considering this, Member of the Mayoral Committee for Safety and Security – Alderman JP Smith said that storytelling and the arts are woven into the fabric of Cape Town.
The City of Cape Town has proudly supported Silwerskermfees over the last four years, recognising its vital role in showcasing the power of film to spark dialogue, elevate diverse voices, and foster cultural understanding.
Smith said that through this festival, they celebrate creativity, inspire new perspectives, and strengthen the community’s connection to the rich South African stories.
Alongside the film screenings, Silwerskerm is running an extensive programme of masterclasses and panel discussions, facilitated by industry experts and filmmakers.
This year, the 2025 festival desires to continue its partnership with Sunshine Cinema to provide screenings in communities.
The two free solar-powered community film screenings will take place on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at Wynberg Civic Centre, showcasing The Heart Is a Muscle and Thursday, August 22, 2025 at Grassy Park Civic Centre showcasing Finding Optel.