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What to expect at FAME Week Africa 2026

As Cape Town prepares to host the continent’s leading creative economy gathering, FAME Week Africa returns to the CTICC2 from 28 to 30 October 2026.

Also see: DStv’s Big Makeover: Canal+ Plans One Super App For South African Viewers

The three-day summit brings together film, television, music, fashion, and digital content creators alongside global executives, buyers, and investors.

Against the backdrop of major industry anniversaries and growing international interest in African storytelling, this year’s market floor is structured to drive direct business, co-production partnerships, and creative deals.

A high-impact market floor and buyer line-up

For producers, content creators, and distributors, the core value of FAME Week Africa lies in direct access to industry decision-makers. The 2026 edition features more than 80 buyers and commissioning editors representing major broadcasters, global platforms, and financial institutions.

Through the official ConnectMe meeting portal, delegates can structure their market schedules in advance, pitch projects, and engage directly with commissioning teams.

Picture: Supplied

A major anchor of the market floor is MultiChoice Group, operating as a CANAL+ company following its Super Sponsor backing. MultiChoice, CANAL+, and STUDIOCANAL will host combined sessions outlining current commissioning priorities, audience demands, and essential pitching strategies for producers targeting African and international distribution.

They are joined by supporting sponsors, including MTN, the SABC, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), RAY Content Hub, TV5MONDE, and Earcandy.

Also see: DStv subscribers face more channel losses under CANAL+

Spotlight on France as destination country

France takes centre stage as FAME Week Africa’s official 2026 Destination Country, establishing a dedicated channel for cross-border co-production and distribution between French and African media sectors.

Supported by the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and the French Embassy, the French Pavilion on the market floor will serve as a central hub for networking and project matching across film, television, music, and fashion.

The focus on France opens on 27 October at the Homecoming Centre with the African premiere of Le Fantôme de l’Opéra. According to Jean Spiri, Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy, the initiative is designed to move beyond traditional screenings into structured, long-term commercial and creative partnerships between European and African industry professionals.

Picture: Instagram/@fameweekafrica

Industry milestones: 50 years of SABC and 10 years of Netflix

FAME Week Africa 2026 coincides with two pivotal milestones shaping the South African screen landscape: the 50th anniversary of SABC television broadcasting and the 10th anniversary of Netflix’s local operations.

As the event’s Gold Sponsor, the SABC will use the platform to mark five decades of public broadcasting while outlining its future strategy regarding evolving audience habits and digital engagement.

Maijang Mpherwane, Group Executive for Video Entertainment at the SABC, highlighted the broadcaster’s ongoing reach, noting that SABC1 secured 20 of the top 30 most-watched terrestrial television slots in late September 2026.

Simultaneously, Netflix will mark a decade of South African investments that have generated over 8,000 direct and indirect jobs and partnered with more than 30 local production entities to distribute local content globally.

Also see: FAME Shorts Film Festival 2026 line-up unveiled

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