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

Friends of the French Institute committee members

Philip Botha Philip completed his legal studies in South Africa at the Universities of Stellenbosch...

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Literature

Poetry Africa Festival celebrates 25 years: Unmute: Power to the Poet

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA), in partnership with the French Institute...

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Performing Arts

Bassline Fest I AM HERE

Bassline Fest I AM HERE is a live music concert celebrating and reviving the live...

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Film and Animation

MyFrenchFilmFestival returns for its 12th edition

With more than 12 million film views across 200 territories last year, and a special...

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Creative Industries

MyFrenchFilmFestival returns for its 12th edition

With more than 12 million film views across 200 territories last year, and a special...

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Dibuka Library

The library

Dibuka is a multi-media library focusing on France and contemporary francophone culture. Dibuka is the...

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Check it out
Arts and Creative Industries

Live-Stream Fête de la Musique Joburg

After much postponement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Fête de la Musique (or World Music Day) took place in Johannesburg on 18 September at four venues for the first time, […]

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Calls for Applications
Arts and Creative Industries

The DEENTAL Series Call for applications

The DEENTAL Series Workshop for writers and producers from African, Caribbean and Pacific countries...

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Arts and Creative Industries

The call for entries for La Fabrique Cinéma 2022 is online!

La Fabrique Cinéma has been created by the Institut français, in partnership with France Médias...

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Arts and Creative Industries

The Writers Campus launches its fifth call for applications!

This immersive week-long workshop will gather 20 upcoming writers who have had at least...

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Arts and Creative Industries

Animation Jam

The French Institute of South Africa has partnered with Tshimologong Precinct to invite Aspiring...

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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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French Institute of South Africa

French Institute of South Africa
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Your French / South African cultural agenda in South Africa. Follow us and don't miss out anymore!

French Institute of South Africa is with Embassy of France in South Africa.

3 hours ago

French Institute of South Africa
#FOCUS ON “From the Cave's Mouth” animation movieThe animation movie “From the Cave's Mouth” was selected to be screened at the 29th New York African Film Festival (NYAFF29) as an official animation selection as part of the official film roster. This animation film was bought to life through the 2019 Tshimologong Precinct Animation Jam in partnership with Gobelins, l'école de l'image - Page officielle. The film was selected for its unique aesthetic and use of the Khoi dialect which would be well suited to the festival in showcasing proudly African content. Congrats to the team!#AfricanAnimation #NYAFF29 #ICYMI ... See MoreSee Less

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French Institute of South Africa

2 days ago

French Institute of South Africa
Aurus Music setting the Bassline "In Music We Trust" Festival ablaze! #ALIVE ... See MoreSee Less

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Cultural agency of the Embassy of France in South Africa. Organises artistic events throughout the country all year round. Facebook @IFASculture

French Institute of South Africa
IF_SouthAfricaFrench Institute of South Africa@IF_SouthAfrica·
3h

#FOCUS ON “From the Cave's Mouth” animation movie

The animation movie “From the Cave's Mouth” was selected to be screened at the 29th New York African Film Festival (NYAFF29) as an official animation selection as part of the official film roster. [Thread 1/2]

#NYAFF29 #ICYMI

Reply on Twitter 1528664348926676994Retweet on Twitter 1528664348926676994Like on Twitter 15286643489266769941Twitter 1528664348926676994
IF_SouthAfricaFrench Institute of South Africa@IF_SouthAfrica·
20 May

The @AFJoburg brings you the next #JoburgFrenchCineClub for kids!

🗓 Friday, 27 May
🕒3:00 PM Snack and screening of “Fahim” directed by Pierre-François Martin-Laval (English subtitles)
📍@the_bioscope
🎟https://www.thebioscope.co.za/
Supported by @IF_SouthAfrica, @IFParis & IFCinema.

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Novembre Numérique - Animation Jam 2021
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w__E6MKBGnj8o
This year’s Fête de la Musique was celebrated in Johannesburg in four venues: Newtown Junction, Hector Pieterson Memorial, Alliance Française Johannesburg, and Victoria Yards. Strict COVID-19 protocols were observed in each location. Video©: Earl Abrahams
Johannesburg Fête de la Musique - 2021
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_8uCBcUklybs
IQOQO – Collection/ to collect in Zulu The French Embassy and the French Institute in South Africa (IFAS) initiated in 2020 IQOQO, a reference platform of the Creative and Cultural Industries in South Africa, with an initial focus on the museum and fashion sectors. The idea of IQOQO is to offer a digital platform and a tool that can be used by local/ international audiences and professionals who want to gain a full understanding of how these industries are structured, who the relevant players are, and what kinds of projects those players could be contacted for.
IQOQO
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_qN8vHhYnA3Q
Anathi Hadebe tells you more about his project "Abalali". #animation #Africa
BRIDGES - Meet the Talents - Anathi Hadebe
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_07S--OEJicI
Cécile Blondel is the Head of International Development for Gobelins School and was part of the mentoring team with Aïda Del Solar on Bridges. More about the mentoring team: * Cécile Blondel After spending 5 years in the audiovisual industry as a special effects artist specialized in prosthetics for cinema and theatre, Cécile studied and worked in the field of history of art. From 1989 to 1995 she was a lecturer in Cultural History and associate researcher. She taught at La Sorbonne and Science Po, Paris. From 1995 she taught as a lecturer in French and European Art and Cultural History at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and then for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. She has been the Head of International Relations at Gobelins since 2012, where she is in charge of the International Programmes: Summer Schools and Master of Arts in Character Animation. * Aïda Del Solar, Scriptwriting Expert Graduated from ENSad (Cinema & Animation) and La Femis (Scriptwriting), Aïda del Solar has been coaching visual storytelling for animation and cinema for more than 20 years. She works all around the world with directors, productions and studios, cultural institutions and prestigious schools – like Gobelins, Supinfocom (Rubika), Ensad, Université Paris 8, The Animation Workshop & Unesco IFPC… Aïda’s goal is to help to find the strongest foundations inside each author’s project. The creative process will emerge from their first idea, thanks to motivated information, short writings and gestures. Then the emotional seed will sprout and grow, carrying a strong identity, genuine personality and universal empathy. #animation #Africa
BRIDGES - Meet the Team - Cécile Blondel
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_2JDN7ONnRTg
Erika Denis is the Head of Music, Film and Media for the French Embassy in South Africa, which is Producer of Bridges' pilot "Red Ants" More about her: During the last 20 years, Erika Denis has been developing her career in the television, film industry and digital media markets in both private and public sector. She has undertaken the positions of producer, line producer, international development executive, audiovisual senior manager and consultant, targeting the international sector with a particular focus on Africa, Europe and Canada. She has built an extensive network of strong relationships with broadcasters, platforms, accelerator, clusters, financiers, festivals, markets, producers, funding bodies, studios, talents, schools and governments representatives. She is currently the head of films, media and Music for the French Embassy in South Africa and its cultural agency the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS). IFAS is a platform for cooperation, encouraging cultural diversity and exchanges between South Africa, France and the rest of the African continent. #animation #Africa
BRIDGES - Meet the Team - Erika Denis
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_47OdOikBBT0
Isaac Mogajane is the Executive Producer on Bridges. More about him: Isaac is a co-founder of Diprente, a Johannesburg based production company that creates and produces television series and feature films. Over the 12 years that Diprente has been operational, the company has produced series such as the Emmy nominated series, Late Nite News with Loyiso Gola, the award-winning Bantu Hour with Hugh Masekela, the first African Netflix Original series, Queen Sono, as well as the feature films, Catching Feelings, Matwetwe and Blitz Patollie. Driven by his love of animation, Isaac spearheaded the creation of Diprente Junior, a company dedicated to producing authentic animated series and films that represent modern day Africa in an honest and well-rounded way. Diprente Junior currently has projects in development and production with numerous studios and networks all around the world. #animation #Africa
BRIDGES - Meet the Team - Isaac Mogajane
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_d2KEQgPBNbc
Lesego Vorster is the Line Producer on Bridges, he is responsible for assembling the team, ensuring the standard is maintained and that deadlines are met. More about him: Lesego Vorster was born and raised in Diepkloof Soweto. He studied Fine Arts at Wits University and completed his Masters at Gobelins l’Ecole de l’Image in Paris, France before returning to head up the animation department at Tshimologong Digital Precinct as well as revive his own studio called The Hidden Hand Studios. His goals are mainly focused on having world class animation coming out of the continent and stresses the importance of pushing the Authentic African Aesthetics in everything he is involved in, from his teaching practice to his own work. #animation #Africa
BRIDGES - Meet the Team - Lesego Vorster
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_ZVzDvjV-d-g
Mogau Kekana tells you more about the pilot of BRIDGES, his movie "Red Ants". Synopsis: Khaya, a young man working as a red ant (a South African eviction enforcer) has a particularly bad day when he is forced to evict an old man who would rather die than leave his home. About the creator: Mogau Kekana is a concept and storyboard artist based in Hillbrow, Johannesburg. His work is can be described as contemporary and afro-centric, as it is mostly inspired by the stories, cultures, and aesthetics he grew up with. In 2020, he worked as a storyboard artist on the 1st African Netflix original animated series “MAMA K’s SUPER 4” and is currently doing his Masters in animation and film making at School of Images - GOBELINS. #animation #Africa
BRIDGES - Meet the Talents - Mogau Kekana
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_Z3c69-c67JQ
Nompi Vilakazi tells you more about her project "Gumboot Ants". Synopsis: Tap, a little pre-teen ant, wants nothing more than to be recognised as a great gumboot dancer. But being scrawny and a head shorter than all the other dancers makes that a near impossible feat. Physically, he just can’t get into the space, until he discovers some rusty coke bottle tops and he attaches them to the bottom of his gumboots. This instantly gives his gumboots a loud tap and he eventually gets everybody’s attention. About the creator: Nompi Vilakazi is a screenwriter of both animation and live action content. She has experience in television drama series and as a Script Development Executive she has worked across genres such as drama, telenovela and animation. Her filmography includes editing credits from the cutting rooms of numerous feature films and Nompi is currently producing an animated pre-school series as well as a live action family movie. #animation #Africa
BRIDGES - Meet the talents - Nompi Vilakazi
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_DlZQgM5bbOw
Sithembiso Mpehle, from Dipopaai Studios, tells you more about his project "Zama". Synopsis: Zama is a heartwarming tale about a budding entrepreneur and her street-wise hustler, Gogo, who outsmarts greedy corporate developers and an alien to save their community of street venders in a future South Africa. About Dipopaai Studios: Hellbent on producing animated content for Africans by Africans, the progressively expanding Dipopaai animation team, founded by Sithembiso Mpehle and Kearatwa Sedidi, were recognised the 2019 Mail&Guardian Young South Africans list. Dipopaai maintains an unquestionable conviction to create African animation that appeals to a global market. #animation #Africa
BRIDGES - Meet the Talents - Sithembiso Mpehle
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_qchrlYxClgg
BRIDGES is an initiative to create opportunities for emerging African talents in animation. Established by IFAS (Institut Français en Afrique du Sud) in partnership with GOBELINS, Diprente and Tshimologong Precinct, the series will be made up of ten original short films of one-minute each, and ultimately develop a library of compelling, entertaining films that contribute to the growth and development of the local animation industry. "RED ANTS", the first short film of the series, will premiere at the Festival international du film d'animation d'Annecy #animation #Africa
BRIDGES, THE AFRICAN ANIMATION SERIES - TRAILER
YouTube Video UCESr5A1XG6BN1tHPvIixn6w_u3LuPy9b7AE
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