Almost 400 people attended the world premiere of the documentary, Out of Mined, at the Labia Theatre in Cape Town on Wednesday 24 June, immersing themselves in the vast landscapes of the West Coast and the urgent need to protect its fragile beauty and biodiversity from mining.

The film screened across all four cinemas at the Labia and will now begin its international film festival run. It is nominated for the prestigious Cannes Film Award, to be announced tomorrow (Saturday 27 June).

Out of Mined was directed by Arthur Neumeier and produced by Eyeforce, in partnership with Protect the West Coast (PTWC). The film traces the impact of a century of diamond and heavy mineral mining along 450 km of coastline, giving voice to fishers, indigenous communities, scientists and legal experts.

Mike Schlebach, managing director of PTWC, said in a media statement that the film is a powerful vehicle for change. “This film lays the path to tangible change on the West Coast, 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,” he said. Schlebach added that the response to the film has energised plans to roll out several rehabilitation and community projects.

According to the press release, Neumeier, a documentary director with a deep connection to the ocean, made nine trips to the West Coast and Richtersveld, gathering more than 20 terabytes of footage for the 60-minute film. “The more time we spent on the West Coast, the more we realised how little most people actually know about what is happening there. This film is ultimately about connection to place, and asking ourselves what kind of future we want for this coastline,” he said.

Community activist Wendy Pekeur, founder of the Ubuntu Rural Women and Youth Movement, was one of six panellists at the post-screening discussion. Pekeur spoke about practical ways to combat the exploitation of women and youth within the mining sector.

The stakes are high. In 2026 alone, 60 new mining applications were submitted in the Western and Northern Cape, while only 10% of the West Coast coastline is currently protected, according to a ‘The Tipping Point’ Special Report published by PTWC.

Outdoor apparel company Patagonia sponsored the event. “The places we surf, hike, run and find inspiration in are worth protecting. Storytelling plays such an important role in helping people connect more deeply to what’s at stake,” said Grant Cleghorn, Patagonia South Africa director.

The film will screen at the Berlin Indie Film Festival, the Changing Tide Ocean Film Festival and the Green Montenegro International Film Festival.

A second public screening takes place at the Labia Theatre on Wednesday 8 July at 6:15 pm. Tickets are available at www.quicket.co.za.