Cannes Award–winning documentary “Out of Mined” examines impact of West Coast mining

A packed house of almost 400 patrons attended the world premiere of feature documentary Out of Mined last week, immersing themselves in the vast vistas of the West Coast and the urgent need to protect this fragile beauty and biodiversity from mining.

It was the first time South African filmgoers had seen the film, which was screened at all four cinemas at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town, before being released internationally to several prestigious film festivals.

“This film lays the path to tangible change on the West Coast,” said Protect the West Coast (PTWC) managing director Mike Schlebach, “delivered through cinema and art, which is such a powerful tool to not only show the legacy damage of mining, but the breathtaking beauty of the region – a poignant double-edged appeal to our responsibilities as citizens of South Africa.

“At this intersection between the damage and the rich biodiversity lies a message of hope, or redemption, and it’s so gratifying to see such a positive response to the film. Now we can map on our plan of action, and begin putting in place several rehabilitation and community projects we are working on,” he added.

Out of Mined, directed by Arthur Neumeier and produced by Eyeforce, was developed in partnership with PTWC. The premiere juxtaposed the rich biodiversity and beauty of an untrammelled and remote area, with a painful history of 100 years of diamond and heavy mineral mining on its dunes, beaches and tidal zones.

One of six panellists that joined for the Q&A after the film, community activist Wendy Pekeur spoke about practical ways to combat the intersectional exploitation of women and youth within South Africa’s mining sector. As a feminist, Pekeur – founder of the Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement – spearheads grassroots campaigns to empower indigenous women.

Positioned at the intersection of activism, cinematic art and journalism, Out of Mined traces the impacts from a deluge of mining along 450 kilometres of coastline on coastal ecosystems and the local population, giving voice to fishers, Indigenous communities and other affected groups, with the views of scientists, legal experts and business leaders who advocate nature-based solutions.

In 2026 alone, 60 new applications were submitted in the Western and Northern Cape, while Trans Hex was granted an environmental authorisation for offshore diamond mining between Doringbaai and Strandfontein, just south of the Olifants River estuary.

Even though much of the region has been mined for decades, there has been little rehabilitation. According to “The Tipping Point” Special Report published by PTWC, only 10% of the West Coast coastline is protected, with the remaining coast highly vulnerable to mining.

The film is the product of nine trips to the West Coast and Richtersveld, collecting over 20TB of footage, which was then distilled into a powerful 60-minute feature. It will be shown at film festivals internationally, including the Berlin Indie Film Festival, Changing Tide Ocean Film Festival and the Green Montenegro International Film Festival.

Out of Mined has already won a Cannes Film Award in the Work in Progress category (which recognises outstanding films during their development), adding international recognition ahead of its South African premiere. Schlebach said: “For a story about South Africa’s West Coast to receive recognition on an international stage is incredibly encouraging. We hope this award helps amplify the voices of the communities featured in the film and sparks an even broader conversation about the future of our coastline.”

Neumeier added: “This award is an honour, but more importantly, it’s recognition for the people who entrusted us with telling their story. We set out to make an honest film about a place of extraordinary beauty and complexity, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see that resonate with an international audience.”

Neumeier is a documentary director and cinematographer with a deep connection to the ocean. Through Eyeforce, he is committed to telling long-form environmental and human stories that explore the relationship between people, landscape and the natural world.

“The more time we spent on the West Coast, the more we realised how little most people actually know about what is happening there. We wanted to create a film that not only shines a light on the impact of mining, but also honors the beauty, communities and biodiversity that still remain. This film is ultimately about connection to place, and asking ourselves what kind of future we want for this coastline,” he said.

Outdoor apparel company Patagonia sponsored the event. “We’ve long been proud supporters of the work of Protect the West Coast and the ongoing fight to protect this unique stretch of coastline,” said Grant Cleghorn, Patagonia South Africa director. “The places we play in – surf, hike, run, explore and find inspiration in – are worth protecting. Storytelling plays such an important role in helping people connect more deeply to what’s at stake.”

An additional screening open to the public will be taking place at the Labia Theatre on Wednesday, 8 July at 18h15. Tickets are available here.