Dedicated to the celebration and growth of South African arts and culture, the French Institute’s strong relationships with various partners encourages cultural diversity and exchanges between South Africa, France and the rest of the African continent. Our projects range from visual arts to animation, poetry to gaming, and fashion to music. Notable projects in the audiovisual and creative industries have developed long-term partnerships between our respective cultural sectors to exchange knowledge, experience and ideas.

Visual Arts

Fahla Fahla! : Occupying The Gallery with the French Institute of South Africa

Fahla Fahla! comes together as an extension of Occupying The Gallery’s residency with IFAS –...

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Literature

Discover Dibuka Library

Dibuka is a Francophone multimedia library which aims to promote the French language and French-speaking...

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Performing Arts

Stogie T, Muneyi, Maleh to Headline the 13th Fête de la Musique at Victoria Yards

One of Johannesburg’s most anticipated music festivals returns with an exciting lineup of headlining acts...

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Film and Animation

The Kingdom in the Sky: Moshoeshoe’s Strategy and Legacy – A short film on the historical ties between Lesotho and France

As Lesotho celebrates 58 years of independence and 200 years since the founding of the...

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Creative Industries

The Kingdom in the Sky: Moshoeshoe’s Strategy and Legacy – A short film on the historical ties between Lesotho and France

As Lesotho celebrates 58 years of independence and 200 years since the founding of the...

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Dibuka Library

Discover Dibuka Library

Dibuka is a Francophone multimedia library which aims to promote the French language and French-speaking...

Read more
Check it out
Arts and Creative Industries

IFAS and South African partners launch IQOQO: A new interface to enhance Cultural Industries collaboration

During an official visit to South Africa by the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ms Catherine Colonna inaugurated the French Institute of South Africa’s (IFAS) revamped campus in […]

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Latest events
Oct 10
Arts and Creative Industries

European Film Festival 2024

0:00 - 23:59

The 11th edition of the European Film Festival (EUFF) is taking place from 10 to 20 October 2024! This year’s theme celebrates the complexities of freedom, marking 30 years...

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This is just a selection of our latest, upcoming events. Click here to see all upcoming events.
Calls for Applications
Arts and Creative Industries

ICC Immersion programme

Submit your innovative French entreprise to the ICC Immersion programme! The ICC Immersion programme...

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Arts and Creative Industries

La Fabrique Cinéma 2025

The call for applications for La Fabrique Cinéma 2025 is open! La Fabrique Cinéma...

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Arts and Creative Industries

Novembre Numérique workshop and mentoring programme

Participate in the Novembre Numérique workshop and mentoring programme! This workshop & mentorship programme on...

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Arts and Creative Industries

INA Audiovisual Archives training for Southern Africa

Applications for the INA Audiovisual Archives training for Southern Africa are open! The purpose...

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See All Calls for Applications
Friends of the French Institute

Friends of the French Institute

In 2014, Ambassador Elisabeth Barbier created the Friends of the French Institute Committee to offer strategic advice to the French Institute of South Africa regarding mainly arts and culture, as well as creative industries and research. The committee meets quarterly with representatives from the French Embassy and the French Institute. Read more about the committee members here
Key Partners

The French Institute has a range of successful partnerships with educational and research institutions, non-governmental organisations, governmental organisations, cultural organisations and esteemed multinational organisations. We are committed to building long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with partners who provide a vital mutual transfer of ideas and support to help us reach our shared cooperation goals between France, South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi. Partner with us today.

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The Fête de la Musique is an eclectic celebration of music and culture bringing together local musicians, bands, singers, poets and DJs. For the past 13 years, the festival has captured audiences with diverse musical offerings from jazz and reggae to electro and rock. The Fête de la Musique is a free event open to all, organised by IFAS, co-produced by Bassline with the continued support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa and SAMPRA.
Fête de la Musique Johannesburg 2024
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LkhTZkhGTHIzNW9v
The New Shared Stories project is supported by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Institut français in Paris and Reunion Island, with the French Institute of South Africa and the Alliance Française in Durban with the aim of stimulating the production of new collaborative film and series content between France and South Africa.
New Shared Stories - French & Réunion Island audiovisual professionals' visit to South Africa
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3Lm9HbWVnSUN0WnYw
Annecy Market Readiness Online Workshop was hosted by Wesgro, in collaboration with the National Film Video Foundation, Market International Film d’Animation(MIFA), French Institute of South Africa, Tshimologong Digital Precinct, Cape Town International Animation Festival, and Animation South Africa. The workshop aimed to upskill attendees on market opportunities at the Annecy International Animation Festival 2024. It targeted independent animation filmmakers and producers interested in attending the festival and its Market International Film d’Animation(MIFA), as well as individuals keen on learning effective strategies for navigating film festivals and markets. Mentors on the Road to Annecy discussed how to participate in the pitching competition for the following year.
Annecy Market Readiness Online Workshop Recording
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LlJ5RUh1UDROSThj
Meet Carla September | South African Competitive Esports Player
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LjJlVTVpODdNdHFr
France-South Africa Video Game Meetups 2023
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3Lk41QVNpenZOeGRF
After six years in the making, Sibikwa Arts Centre in association with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Théâtre du Soleil finally brought Ariane Mnouchkine's epic theatre piece 1789 to life on stage in Johannesburg, with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the French Institute in Paris and the City of Paris. Detailing the French Revolution’s quest for Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, the immersive epis and the workshops leading up to its premiere spoke to the necessity of democracy, unity and hope. Watch the video detailing the experience above.
1789 x THEATRE DU SOLEIL - PERFORMANCE AT SIBIKWA ARTS CENTRE
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LnBYQ0R1aWRnN25R
Malebogo Naticia Molokoane | 2022 Absa L’Atelier Gerard Sekoto Award
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3Lm0tcGl3TlBzRHNv
On the 28th of April, one of the boldest dance groups from South Africa will be performing at the acclaimed Maitisong Festival in Gaborone and later traveling to Johannesburg. Via Katlehong specializes in “Pantsula”, a South African township dance, and other neo-traditional forms such as “Gumboots”, “tap Pantsula” and “steps” – a township interpretation of Gumboots dance. The troupe has performed multiple times in France, and around the world. IFAS is proud to support its ongoing dance performances, along with TotalEnergies Marketing SA. The piece being performed, Via Injabulo, was choreographed by Marco de Silva Ferreira (Portuguese) and Amala Dianor (French/Senegalese) while working closely with Via Katlehong. This is the first time it will be performed for a Southern African theatre audience.
Patsula Dance Troupe Via Katlehong heads to Gaborone
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3Ll9wT1U3dExlZmFV
​@DjeuhDjoahLieutenantNicholson’s tour to Johannesburg was a burst of fresh air for music lovers and the South African public that met them along the way. This was the second edition of Salon Nø Førmat created by our partners @NoFormatrecords : a moment of musical co-creation during which an artist based in France comes to Johannesburg to collaborate with a South African artist and connect with his/her audience. From collaborative sessions and a workshop with SA musician Laliboi at Flame Studios, to a record signing at Mr. Vinyl with in-the-know fans, the group made a mark on the Big Smoke. Finally, on 11 February 2023, the French duo engaged a tightly-packed crowd with an intimate performance at Untitled Basement in Braamfontein. Performers Laliboi, Cool Affairs, and Nicky B joined them on stage throughout the evening. Watch their collaborative journey around Johannesburg .
SALON NØ FØRMAT! : DJEUHDJOAH & LIEUTENANT NICHOLSON X LALIBOI
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LmV1dGlDOFdiSG9J
On 29th November 2022, we partnered with Business France South Africa - the French Trade Commission, to successfully launch the very first France-South Africa Video Games meet-up with the participation of a delegation from France. During that week in various parts of Johannesburg and Cape Town, the delegation from both countries learned from each other by exchanging ideas on how the industry currently functions, what it should aim for, and the obstacles standing in its way – ultimately to use this information to pave new ways forward. Watch this immersive video of what took place during the first French-South African Video Games meet-up.
VIDEO GAMES MEET-UP 2023
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LmR0bVJVRGdwWGFz
2022 was a culture-packed year for the French Institute of South Africa. With over 180 events, co-created and supported by 80 partners, we are excited to see what 2023 will bring! Thank you to all our contributors and fellow culture-philes 💙🤍❤️
IFAS 2022: A Year in Review
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LlpKRWtXMThaRW1r
Follow up on South African radio journalist Tebadi Mmotla's residency at ENS Louis-Lumière! In July this year, Tebadi embarked to France for a sound documentary residency at Ecole nationale supérieure Louis-Lumière. There, she spent almost two months fine-tuning her skills under the guidance of lecturers, sharing her knowledge with her peers, and learning from them.
CATCH-UP WITH PODCASTER TEBADI MMOTLA
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LldXVTVsbXpOT0o0
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