The French Institute's work is centred around developing South African creative ecosystems, talent, start-ups, and the creators of innovative content in partnership with French expertise and French key creative industry players. Our priorities are audiovisual content (animation), digital creation (video games, virtual reality, new formats), music, heritage, archives, museums and fashion.

Arts and Creative Industries

True Fashion, Try on Green

Emerging South African Designers Trailblaze Their Way to a Sustainable Future. The French Institute of South Africa and the Goethe-Institut South Africa have joined forces to champion five emerging designers […]

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Arts and Creative Industries

IFAS x FNB Art Joburg presents CONSTRUCT

The French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and FNB Art Joburg are delighted to present CONSTRUCT: five women artists working in Joburg across non-traditional mediums, a video series in five parts.  […]

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Arts and Creative Industries

Help map the immersive arts sector in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi

The Futures_Past Immersive Arts Mapping Study is building a public directory...

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Arts and Creative Industries

Regional Animation Lab launches new Indian Ocean exchange

From 13 to 16 October 2026, 11 animators from South Africa,...

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Arts and Creative Industries

We Are What Remains brings !Xun and Khwe linocuts into an immersive new exhibition

From 1 November 2026, visitors can experience We Are What Remains,...

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Arts and Creative Industries

South Africa represented at the inaugural LumiĂšre Summit

The first LumiĂšre Summit took place in Saint-Paul-de-Vence, France, on 7...

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On 6 August 2026, the Pantsula My World Festival brought together around 450 people and 150 performers in Katlehong for a day dedicated to Pantsula, its history, its communities and its future. The festival gathered Pantsula groups, facilitators, young dancers, schools, practitioners, community members and cultural-sector professionals for performances, exchanges and collective celebration. It marked the culmination of months of work carried out through Pantsula My World, a programme led by Buru Ventures in partnership with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS). Drawing on the methodology developed by the late Buru Mohlabane, the project worked with dance centres, schools and communities to document and strengthen approaches to teaching Pantsula, while supporting its recognition as a contemporary South African dance genre. This highlight video looks back at the energy, participation and shared knowledge that shaped the festival. Pantsula My World was supported by the French Institute of South Africa and funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
On 21 September 2026, the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) hosted Let’s Talk Mshoza, an all-women round-table discussion examining the experiences of women working in dance, with a particular focus on Pantsula. Moderated by Nondumiso Msimango, the discussion brought together producer and programmer Lindiwe Lekasapa; dancer and choreographer Sonia Radebe; Pantsula practitioner, dancer and choreographer Julia Burnham; Nolo Mokotedi from IFAS; and Manaileng Maphike of Maphike Inc., who contributed a legal perspective. Together, they discussed the challenges women encounter in the sector, opportunities for professional development, and their ambitions for the future of dance in South Africa. The event formed part of Pantsula My World, a project launched in December 2025 by Buru Ventures in partnership with IFAS. Building on the work of the late Buru Mohlabane, the project developed and documented a structured methodology for teaching Pantsula, with the aim of supporting its recognition as a contemporary South African dance genre. Pantsula My World was made possible through funding from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, with the support of the French Institute of South Africa.
Venez partager un moment convivial avec les autrices Marie PetietvĂ©tov et Sarah Tadlaoui, en visio, Ă  l’occasion de la rentrĂ©e littĂ©raire 2026 !
Meet the CrĂ©ation Africa Top 15 entrepreneurs! Over the past few months, they have been taking part in a business incubation journey facilitated by UVU Africa and its digital skills and innovation division, CAPACITI.👏✹ #CreationAfrica2 #FrenchInstituteSA
Join leading scholars on the enduring legacy of Frantz Fanon and the continuing relevance of his ideas on colonialism, race, liberation and decolonisation in today's world.
On 29 March 2026, FĂȘte de la Musique was presented in Cape Town for the first time, as part of Bree Street Sundays. Organised by the French Embassy and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), the event brought free live music into the public space, transforming Bree Street into an open-air platform for performance and exchange. FĂȘte de la Musique Cape Town was implemented, supported and funded in partnership with Bassline, TotalEnergies Marketing South Africa, the Alliance Française of Cape Town, Young Urbanists through Street Experiment SA, Bridges for Music, the City of Cape Town, Mission for Inner City Cape Town and Jazz in the City.
Jean Spiri, directeur de l'IFAS, s'entretient avec Georges Lory et Daphnée Breytenbach à l'occasion de leur tournée littéraire en Afrique du Sud. Pour plus d'informations sur les événements publics, veuillez consulter le site web de l'IFAS: https://frenchinstitute.org.za/arts-and-creative-industries/literature/french-south-african-literature-conversations-tour-daphnee-breytenbach-georges-lory/.
The Création Africa Top 50 is a true reflection of the depth and diversity of the cultural and creative industries! #CreationAfrica2 #FrenchInstituteSA
🎉 Meet the selected Top 50 entrepreneurs for the second edition of CrĂ©ation Africa, from South Africa. Lesotho and Malawi 🎉 Congratulations as they begin a seven-week mentorship journey with UVU Africa and its digital skills and innovation division CAPACITI. 👏
A conversation exploring the impact of the 2025 funding cuts for the HIV response, especially for at risk and LGBTQIA+ communities. The panel will consist of leading experts in the field, both within health research and operating directly on the ground with affected groups.
As part of the French Institute of South Africa’s (IFAS) 30th anniversary, this film turns to Lesotho to spotlight artists and cultural practitioners involved in co-creation initiatives supported by IFAS. Shot across the Mountain Kingdom, it features voices that have helped define the Institute’s work over the past three decades. Directed by Adam Heyns.
As part of the French Institute of South Africa’s (IFAS) 30th anniversary, a visit to Malawi captured the stories of artists and cultural practitioners involved in co-creation projects supported by IFAS. From Lilongwe to Blantyre, the film brings together voices that have contributed to the Institute’s work over the past three decades. Directed by Adam Heyns.
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