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

Deadline Extension – Proposals for Reimagining Heritage, Archives and Museums: Today/Tomorrow Convening

With the end-of-year rush upon us, we’ve announced one final deadline extension for our call...

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Literature

Green Libraries Lab connects engaged local actors  

This year, the Goethe-Institut Johannesburg and the French Institute of South Africa are developing the...

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Performing Arts

Event: The GM50 Legacy Weekend

While parties are the convention of celebration, Gregory Maqoma will mark his 50th birthday by...

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Film and Animation

WATCH: Second coproduction webinar offers insight into a collaborative future 

On 2 November 2023, the French Institute of South Africa hosted the second Q&A webinar...

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Creative Industries

Game On: join the French-South African Pitching Session!

Call For Application – Pitching session for FR-SA videogame meetups. The French Institute of South...

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Dibuka Library

Kubuni: Comics from Africa Exhibition

Have you seen the travelling exhibition Kubuni: Comics from Africa? The Kubuni: Comics from Africa...

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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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Calls for Applications
Arts and Creative Industries

Take part in the 2024 La Fabrique Cinéma programme 

La Fabrique Cinéma supports emerging filmmakers on the international market. La Fabrique Cinéma of...

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Arts and Creative Industries

Encounters 2024 Festival Dates and Submission Call Announced

Calling All Documentary Filmmakers! The organisers of Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, Africa’s...

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Arts and Creative Industries

Call for cultural entrepreneurship incubators – Creation Africa: South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi

“Being an entrepreneur is about deciding to change the world,” said the French President...

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Arts and Creative Industries

French-South African Video Game Meet-Ups: Call for Proposals for Communications and Logistics

This “French-South-African Video Game meetups” project is a continuation of the first meetings organized...

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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

23 hours ago

French Institute of South Africa
The French delegation for the annual FR-SA Video Game Meetups has concluded three days in Cape Town during Africa Games Week. Supported by INSTITUT FRANÇAIS, the French Institute of South Africa and Business France, the delegation exchanged and connected with Africa's Gaming Industry in the name of synergy and global development. Up next, the delegation makes its way to Johannesburg for studio visits, more meetings and a pitching session for gaming developers at IFAS. ... See MoreSee Less

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French Institute of South Africa

4 days ago

French Institute of South Africa
OPPORTUNITY ALERT | Applications are now open for the Reimagining Heritage, Archives and Museums: Today/Tomorrow mentorship programme, for recent arts and culture graduates or individuals starting their careers in the cultural sector from South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi.With the aim to inspire and nurture a new generation of cultural professionals, the mentorship programme will run alongside the international convening happening between 13 and 15 February 2024 in Cape Town and professional meetings taking place between 19 and 21 February 2024 in Johannesburg. For more information or to submit your application visit iqoqo.org/todaytomorrow/call-for-mentees/ by 13 December 2023.Communicating The Arts IQOQO ... See MoreSee Less

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This concert is part of the third edition of the "SALON NO FORMAT", conceived by the French label No Format, in partnership with the French Institute of South Africa and the French Institute of Paris. The Cuban-born French duo IBEYI, made up of twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Díaz, performed at the acoustic concert venue Untitled Basement on May 31, 2023 for a one-off, intimate concert.
SALON NØ FØRMAT! :IBEYI + AMAPIANO
YouTube Video VVVFU3I1QTFYRzZCTjF0SFB2SWl4bjZ3LnR1Wnp4WVV1ZllF
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
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
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