Arts and Creative Industries / Film and Animation / The French connection at the 8th Joburg Film Festival

The French connection at the 8th Joburg Film Festival

Arts and Creative Industries
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4 March

From 3 to 8 March 2026, the Joburg Film Festival and Market once again brings screenings, conversations and industry meetings to venues across Johannesburg. The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) is pleased to support this year’s edition.

Among the highlights is a special screening of BATWING Unmasked: An African Super Hero, followed by a Q&A taking place on Friday 6 March at Theatre on the Square in Sandton City. Doors open at 12:00, with the screening starting at 12:15. Watch the trailer here and book tickets here. 

The documentary by French producer Joachim Landau asks why Batwing, the first African and Congolese superhero in the DC universe, remains relatively unknown, even on the continent, and explores how African creators can help expand his legacy in global popular culture. After the screening, audiences are invited to stay for a live panel discussion with Siv Ngesi, Loyiso Mkize and Joachim Landau, continuing this exchange on the future of African-led hero narratives.

In addition, on 5 March 2026, Joachim Landau will also take part in the Joburg Xchange (JBX) industry programme, including the JBX Talks session The French Connection: Creativity and Collaboration between Africa and France, which explores co-production models and long-term partnerships between the two countries.

The wider festival programme includes a selection of French productions and co-productions. Audiences will be able to see Couture, It Was Just an Accident, Nomad Shadow and Promised Sky, alongside Gavagai, Ancestral Visions of the Future, Aïcha, Untamable, The Voice of Hind Rajab and Silent Rebellion (À bras-le-corps). For screening details, follow this link.

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