The Création Africa Forum took place in Lagos from 16–18 October 2025. After a successful debut in Paris in 2023, which gathered over 300 professionals from 35 African countries and 80 French companies, the Forum is a leading space for collaboration and innovation in Africa’s creative economy. Launched by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, and curated by MansA – Maison des Mondes Africains, the Forum is supported by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Business France, Bpifrance, and the Institut français. The Forum is an opportunity for creatives in the Cultural and Creative Industries from across the African continent, to meet, exchange ideas, network and collaborate, featuring sectors such as immersive media (XR, AR, video games, fashion innovation), transmedia publishing (webtoons), and audiovisual creation (TV series, animation, sound design, VFX).
A major highlight of the Création Africa Forum 2025 is the strong delegation of 27 participants from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, who showcased expertise across VR, animation, gaming, TV series, sound design, fashion, and film. Meet the participants here.
Key programme highlights featuring the delegation included:
“Yohance: We Are All Superheroes!”
A panel discussion featuring South African creatives opened the Forum, Kyle Shepherd (award-winning pianist and composer); Tendaiishe Chitima (Actress); and Leroy Siyafa (Actor); formed part of the panel that discussed the film, Yohance. Yohance is a groundbreaking sci-fi film rooted in African cultural narratives, produced by Federation MEAC (France) and Sanu Wara (U.S.) with Canal+ collaboration.
Spinners: From Screen to Game
Spinners: The Game is a video game spinoff of the South African-French TV series Spinners, co-produced by Federation MEAC, Showmax and CANAL+. Produced by Wits University’s Tshimologong Precinct, it empowers Black digital creatives through mentorship, funding and global networks, with support from La Maison des Mondes Africains and South Africa’s Job Funds. Developed with Vetkoek Studios and featuring an animated trailer by Mollo Animation Academy, it is the first game set in Cape Town’s Cape Flats, spotlighting township “spinning” culture. The game was unveiled at the Création Africa Forum with speakers Eric Gardiner (Creative Director, Vetkoek Studios); Sithembiso Mpehle (Tshimologong/Mollo Animation Studio); Avuzwa Ntshongwana (Game Designer, Tshimologong); Ben Myres (CEO and Creative Director, Nyamakop); Mamelo Raboroko (Game designer, Vetkoek Studios), Marthinus van Rooyen (Art Director, Mollo Animation Studio & Academy).
Building A VFX Ecosystem from Africa
Nosipho Van den Bragt (Chocolate Tribe & Avijozi) formed part of a panel discussion exploring Africa’s growing VFX ecosystem—spanning infrastructure, talent, collaboration, and storytelling—while addressing challenges and showcasing innovation shaping the continent’s global competitiveness.
Pitching Session
Rapitso Mosebetsi (Co-founder of Iconics Clothing), pitched at the Création Africa Forum’s Pitching Session. The session was a premier co-production platform presenting four ambitious projects per discipline with strong international potential. Through round tables and one-on-one meetings, participants explored financing, distribution, and markets.
Unrecorded Voices
Liz Maelane (Digital media artist and educator), represented the group of artists who created the Unrecorded Voices exhibition, which was showcased at the Forum. The exhibition explores the intersection of AI technology with artistic and cultural storytelling. Read more about the exhibition here.
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