Futures_Past: Training the next generation of immersive producers

The Futures_Past capacity building programme is wrapping up! Over the last eight months, six emerging producers under the age of 30 from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi have taken part in a structured training programme aligned with the production of the project’s six immersive exhibitions, which will launch in the coming months.

IFAS and Electric South thank all the experts who shared their knowledge and expertise throughout the programme. Participants kicked off the training with an in-person workshop in Johannesburg before continuing with online sessions led by industry professionals and an immersion visit to France. Together, these experiences provided valuable insights into immersive production and building sustainable careers in the immersive sector.

Reflecting on her experience, participant Moleboheng Khothatso shared: “One of the life-changing moments for me was discovering that I should be effective as a creative artist and tell stories that are impactful to the world, and not tell stories just for the sake of storytelling. The programme granted me an opportunity to meet and network with internationally experienced creative producers in the industry on top of the highly informative trainings”.

As the training concludes, the wider Futures_Past: Amplifying Memory with Immersive Technologies project continues. Watch this space for the six immersive exhibitions, co-created with archives across South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, which will open from September 2026 onwards and showcase the work developed throughout the project.

Futures_Past: Amplifying Memory with Immersive Technologies is an initiative of the Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), implemented in partnership with Electric South and funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Read more about each project here.