Naomi Grewan reflects on her Louis-Lumière sound documentary residency in France

Arts and Creative Industries

From 11 July to 31 August 2025, South African audio producer Naomi Grewan joined 11 international professionals at the École nationale supérieure Louis-Lumière in Paris for the International Sound Documentary Summer Programme. The seven-week residency, created in 2021 with the support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and in partnership with Radio France Internationale, brings together emerging talents to experiment with storytelling through sound.

Since 2022, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) has supported South Africa’s participation, enabling four producers to attend: Tebadi Mmotla (2022), Kgomotso Modise (2023), Mihlali Ntsabo (2024), and now Naomi Grewan (2025).

“I’m incredibly grateful for the experience; it’s challenged the way I think about sound documentary in the best possible way,” Naomi said. “The best part has been connecting with the other participants and facilitators… I’m certain some of us will collaborate in the future.”

Naomi is Communications Manager and Podcast Producer at Radio Workshop, a Cape Town-based organisation that has trained more than 5 000 youth reporters in 10 African countries, reaching an audience of up to 9 million weekly listeners. Her documentaries have addressed subjects such as LGBTQ+ rights, climate change and access to education.

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