Arts and Creative Industries / Film and Animation / France takes centre stage at FAME Week Africa 2026

France takes centre stage at FAME Week Africa 2026

Arts and Creative Industries
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9 November

France was the official Destination Focus at FAME Week Africa 2026, held in Cape Town from 28 October to 1 November. The event brought together French and African creatives to strengthen industry partnerships and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

Opening celebrations and the French Pavilion

The celebrations began with LIGHTS. CAMERA. BONJOUR – French Night at the Labia Theatre, featuring the African premiere of Alexandre Castagnetti’s Le Fantôme de l’Opéra and a performance by Réunionese artist MAFAT808.

The French Pavilion officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Sophie Bel, Consul General of France in Cape Town. The custom-designed ribbon was created by Création Africa Top 15 finalist Xolela Madlanga.

The French Delegation

The delegation brought together producers, broadcasters and audiovisual professionals, with representatives from:

  • Mediawan
  • GalatĂ©e Films
  • STUDIO TF1
  • Ping & Pong Productions
  • Hisia Films
  • Babylone Studio
  • On Est Bien Ensemble
  • Maison du CinĂ©ma et des Jeux VidĂ©o
  • La KourmĂ©tragerie
  • LanbĂ©li
  • Over the moon Production
  • Karibimage International Studio
  • TV5MONDE
  • France 24
  • Brut Afrique
  • Expertise France
  • ECI Talents

Panels on partnerships and international opportunities

“Where Stories Become Global Partnerships” explored international co-production, distribution and partnerships. The panel featured Marjorie Vella (TV5MONDE), Christophe Feing (Maison du Cinéma et des Jeux Vidéo), Alexandre Rideau (Mediawan) and Alexandra Macdonald (Galatée Films).

“Connecting with the French Network” brought together Erika Denis (Expertise France), Anna Reverdy (Unofficial Official), Jean Spiri (French Embassy/IFAS), Minasie Terefe (Behagerlij Studio – Ethiopie and French-Ethiopian Habesha Creative Lab) to discuss access to French networks, training, funding and international markets.

Hector Desmichelle (STUDIO TF1) contributed to “From Local to Global: What Makes IP Travel?”, examining the international potential of African intellectual property.

The wider programme included contributions from Alexandre Rideau (Mediawan) and Namibian filmmaker Laudika Hamutenya to conversations on animation, gaming, screen production and short-form storytelling. Laudika Hamutenya is an alumnus of the New Voices of Southern Africa programme led by IFAS.

Connecting women in entertainment

The Women in Entertainment Breakfast at the Mount Nelson Hotel offered women in the cultural and creative industries an opportunity to network and build relationships.

French delegation members Dominique Guérin and Alexandra Macdonald were among the morning’s speakers. They discussed the work of MediaClub’Elles and PFDM – Pour les femmes dans les medias, two French initiatives strengthening the role of women in France’s entertainment industry.

South African actress Lorcia Cooper added a special touch to the event with a keynote address that left all the women in the room inspired.

Celebrating Création Africa entrepreneurs

The CrĂ©ation Africa Top 15 entrepreneurs from South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi celebrated the completion of their seven-month business incubation programme with a graduation at UVU Africa. They also shared their expertise in industry panel discussions and a pop-up shop. The Tastes + Threads fashion show, held at the newly opened Edition Hotel, showcased the designs of the fashion finalists. GUGUBYGUGU received the Most Promising Designer Award at the fashion show, recognising the brand’s creative potential and distinctive approach to design.

Island Stories at FAME Shorts Film Festival 

The FAME Shorts Film Festival celebrated Island Stories, a special screening of five short films from Réunion Island and Mayotte, presented in partnership with La Kourmétragerie. Spanning fiction, documentary and animation, the films offered fresh perspectives on memory, identity, heritage and belonging.

The evening also marked the first address at FAME Week Africa by H.E. Antoine Michon, Ambassador of France to South Africa and Ambassador designate to Lesotho and Malawi. He welcomed filmmakers, partners and audiences, celebrating the creative connections between France and Africa.

Building lasting creative partnerships

France’s participation reinforced its commitment to fostering creative talent, strengthening audiovisual cooperation and building lasting partnerships between France and Africa.

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