‘Out of Mined’, a new feature documentary nominated for a Cannes Film Award that shows the impact of mining on the fragile beauty and biodiversity of the West Coast, will premiere at the Labia Theatre on Wednesday 24 June.
Local audiences will be the first to see the film and engage with its message before it is shown internationally, where it has been accepted by several acclaimed film festivals.
Directed by Arthur Neumeier and produced by Eyeforce, the film was developed in partnership with Protect the West Coast (PTWC). The premiere offers local audiences a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the breathtaking beauty of an untrammelled and remote area, contrasted with a painful history of 100 years of diamond and heavy mineral mining on its dunes, beaches and tidal zones.
The film traces the impact of mining on coastal ecosystems and the local population, giving voice to fisherfolk, Indigenous communities and other affected groups. Following the Labia event, ‘Out of Mined’ will be shown at film festivals internationally, including the Berlin Indie Film Festival and the Green Montenegro International Film Festival.
‘Out of Mined’ has also been announced as a nominee for the prestigious Cannes Film Awards in the ‘Work in Progress’ category, which will be announced on 27 June.
The film documents how PTWC has tried to rescue up to 450 km of coastline from Cape Town to the Namibian border that is under siege from mining companies. In 2026 alone, 48 new applications were submitted in the Western and Northern Cape, while TransHex was recently granted an environmental authorisation for offshore diamond mining along the coast between Doringbaai and Strandfontein, just south of the Olifants River estuary, which PTWC has appealed.
The area has been mined for decades, but as the film shows, little rehabilitation has been done. According to a Special Report ‘The Tipping Point’ recently published by PTWC, only 10% of the West Coast coastline is protected, with the remaining coast highly vulnerable to mining.
“The West Coast is one of South Africa’s most beautiful and remote regions, but it is under immense threat. By creating this film, audiences can see exactly what’s happening and hear directly from those who are most affected. If we stand together, we can still protect West Coast ecosystems and livelihoods,” says Mike Schlebach, MD of PTWC.
Positioned at the intersection of activism, cinematic art, and journalism, ‘Out of Mined’ combines community storytelling with expert insights, including perspectives from scientists, legal practitioners and industry voices. The film is the product of nine trips to the West Coast and Richtersveld regions, collecting over 20TB of footage, which was then distilled into a powerful 60-minute feature.
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,” Neumeier says.
Out of Mined will be screened at the Labia Theatre on Wednesday 24 June at 8.15pm, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, PTWC, and environmental and community guest speakers.
Book tickets: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/377868-out-of-mined-premiere/#
