Workshop Registration and Film Submissions due 7 June 2026.
Event Overview
Date
Sat, 20, June 2026
Time
10:00 - 16:00
Location
Bertha House
67–69 Main Rd, Cape Town, 7700
Admission
Free
About Rising Lens
Cape Town contains a multitude of untold stories: layered, alive, and urgent.
Whether you've shot on a phone, a borrowed camera, or a full rig, if you have a story worth sharing, this is your stage. We believe the most powerful films aren't defined by their budget, but by the truth they carry. Rising Lens is a space for bold new voices, honest storytelling, and the kind of cinema that stays with you.
Hosted at the beautiful Bertha House in Mowbray, this inaugural event brings together a full day of learning, community, food, and film, and we want you to be part of it from the very first frame.
The Day at a Glance
The Workshop
Our two-hour beginner workshop is designed for anyone who has ever wanted to make a film but wasn't sure where to start. Led by working filmmakers, the session covers the fundamentals of shooting, from framing and lighting to storytelling structure, with a focus on documentary and social media video.
No equipment required. Just show up with curiosity.
The workshop is free and open to all registered attendees.
Submit Your Film
Any genre
Documentary, narrative, experimental, animation, short — all genres are welcome.
Any length
No hard time limits. Short films of 5–20 minutes are especially encouraged.
Free to submit
There is no submission fee. This festival exists to open doors, not close them.
Every selected film receives an Apple laptop
Each film team whose film is screened at Rising Lens will receive a gently used Apple laptop, a tool to keep creating long after the credits roll.
The Venue
Bertha House is one of Cape Town's most vibrant community spaces, a fitting home for Rising Lens. Rooted in social justice and creativity, the space reflects the values at the heart of this festival.
67–69 Main Road, Mowbray, Cape Town, 7700
Questions?
We are here to provide any support and answer any questions. Email Jeremiah Rosenfels, jeremiah@risingtidesnow.org.