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

Job Offer: Communications Officer

The French Institute of South Africa is seeking to appoint a Communications Officer. The position...

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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

CALL FOR CREATIVES: Ecole Nomade Immersive Theatre Workshop

Join a groundbreaking troupe from Paris for a two-week intensive workshop led by Théâtre du...

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Film and Animation

Vacancy: Cinema, TV & New Media Project Manager

The French Institute of South Africa is seeking to appoint a project manager for its...

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Creative Industries

Call for Bids: External Evaluation of digital project IQOQO

The Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi is inviting bids for the...

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Dibuka Library

Exceptional closing of Dibuka

Dear readers, Please note that Dibuka will be exceptionally closed for the long weekend on...

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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

CALL FOR CREATIVES: Ecole Nomade Immersive Theatre Workshop

Join a groundbreaking troupe from Paris for a two-week intensive workshop led by Théâtre...

Read more and apply
Arts and Creative Industries

Call for Proposals: Green Libraries – Renewing the Future

Green Libraries : Renewing the Future Green Libraries is a multi-part, hybrid format geared...

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Arts and Creative Industries

Novembre Numérique Animation Jam 2022

Sign yourself or a team of friends up to participate from 18 to 20 November...

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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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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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French Institute of South Africa

2 days ago

French Institute of South Africa
HEADLINERS ALERT: Get ready for an electrifying celebration of music at Fête de la Musique 2023 in Johannesburg! 🎶 Open and free to all!✨ We are thrilled to announce our FIVE incredible headlining acts:🔹 Morena Leraba🔹 Nomfusi🔹 Simmy🔹 Tshepang Ramoba🔹 Musa Mashiane Musa MashianeJoin us on 24 June at Newtown Junction Victoria Yards and Alliance Française of Johannesburg from 11am - 6pm for a day of pure musical magic! 🔥🌟 With the support of TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa and Newtown Junction and produced by Bassline "In Music We Trust" ... See MoreSee Less

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French Institute of South Africa

2 days ago

French Institute of South Africa
Supporting young talent and their mobility is important to fostering creative cultural exchanges. After spending a few weeks together in Johannesburg, students from the Market Lab have made their way to Lyon to join their ENSATT counterparts! ... See MoreSee Less
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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
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​@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
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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
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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
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Wrap up of the 2022 Novembre Numérique Animation Jam which ran from 18 to 20 November. The 4th edition of the animation jam was another successful collaboration between IFAS and Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct with 65 applications from primarily South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana. This year’s theme was “Rhythm” and was hosted as a hybrid event. Participants who were close enough could join the Animation Jam team in the studio or participate from the comfort of their own space via Tshimologong’s dedicated Jam Discord server. The official 48-hour challenge began on the 18th through to the 20th November. The event also included masterclasses hosted by Aida Del Solar titled “Kill your Darlings” who gave insightful advice on producing animation short films within a limited amount of time by cutting out unnecessary elements - i.e. killing your darlings. The result was the production of 6 amazing short films, which you can watch here!
NOVEMBRE NUMERIQUE: ANIMATION JAM 2022
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LkdCdlRiS1M0VjBr
CASA 93 X FRENCH INSTITUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA "TRUE FASHION" SEASON 2 "True Fashion" season 2 is a program co-constructed between the French Institute of South Africa, the French Institute in Paris, the City of Paris and ModaFusion. A mentoring project that considers a more engaged way of conceiving fashion for young South African and French creatives. This project is the second part of the mentoring program "True Fashion Try On Green" initiated in 2021 by IFAS and the Goethe Institute with Casa 93! The Objective: to carry out an inter-cultural exchange around mohair, of which 60% of the world's production comes from South Africa. The Mohair creations were inspired by the theme “Carjack” which were integrated into the fashion show at the Palais de Tokyo during Paris Fashion Week. Isis and Freddy from Casa 93 went to South Africa to meet Khumo and Zaza ! They discovered mohair and started, in pairs, to create 2 pieces for the fashion show in Paris. Watch the official photoshoot of their final designs, captured by acclaimed photographer Eric Garault around Paris.
TRUE FASHION S2: FINAL LOOKBOOK
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3Li1Bb0NnMUFuQ1VV
@casa9359 X FRENCH INSTITUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA "TRUE FASHION" SEASON 2 "True Fashion" season 2 is a program co-constructed between the French Institute of South Africa, the French Institute in Paris, the City of Paris and ModaFusion. A mentoring project that considers a more engaged way of conceiving fashion for young South African and French creatives. This project is the second part of the mentoring program "True Fashion Try On Green" initiated in 2021 by IFAS and the Goethe Institute with Casa 93! The Objective: to carry out an inter-cultural exchange around mohair, of which 60% of the world's production comes from South Africa. The Mohair creations were inspired by the theme “Carjack” which were integrated into the fashion show at the Palais de Tokyo during Paris Fashion Week. Isis and Freddy from Casa 93 went to South Africa to meet Khumo and Zaza ! They discovered mohair and started, in pairs, to create 2 pieces for the fashion show in Paris. Watch their South African journey together
TRUE FASHION S2: A SUSTAINABILITY JOURNEY
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LjE4Tk9TRkdsamp3
Our partner, @NoFormatrecords launched a new kind of musical encounter in South-Africa called Salon Nø Førmat: 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. An initiative supported by the French Institute in South Africa. For the very first edition of Salon Nø Førmat, Paris-based Cameroonian artist @BlickBassy chose to work with South African singer-songwriter @BongeziweMabandla. Together they designed and rehearsed an unprecedented joint concert, which they performed at the People’s Theatre On September 23, 2022. In partnership with Black Major
SALON NØ FØRMAT! : BLICK BASSY + BONGEZIWE MABANDLA
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3Lk5nU2plcU44enZj
from the 7th to 8th October where topics such as participatory democracy, inclusive justice, and the digital opportunities and dangers of democracy were explored Coordinated by the French Institute of South Africa, discussions, performances and events were co-constructed with over 15 local and international partners
OUR FUTURE: PATHS TO DEMOCRACY FORUM - Highlights
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#OurFuture - 👀 Close-up of the second day of the Forum at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg! Discussing their thoughts: - Alice Mogwe, Director of Ditshwanelo - The Botswana Centre for Human Rights -Futhi Mbongwe, Operations Manager at Play Africa -Achille Mbembe, Professor of History and Political Science at Wits University
OUR FUTURE: PATHS TO DEMOCRACY FORUM - Day Two
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#OurFuture - 🎥 Watch the continuation of the first day at the Paths to Democracy Forum at the University of Johannesburg. We hear from: - Lwando Scott, researcher in humanities at the The University of the Western Cape - Bonolo Magowe, programme coordinator at the Botswana Centre for Public Integrity, -Eva Nguyen Binh, president of the INSTITUT FRANÇAIS
OUR FUTURE: PATHS TO DEMOCRACY FORUM - Day One, Part Two​
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3Lm5HSTBTd01UbW5F
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