Buyer registration for WTM Africa 2027 is officially open. Taking place from 7–9 April 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), Africa’s premier B2B travel and tourism exhibition is calling on outbound travel buyers, travel technology professionals and decision-makers to claim their spot.
The 2027 edition is shaping up to be the most geographically diverse yet, bringing together an expanding roster of destinations and suppliers alongside the trends, technologies and market opportunities shaping travel across the continent and beyond.
“If you’re serious about doing business across the African travel and tourism landscape, this is where you need to be,” says Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director for Travel, Tourism and Sports at RX Africa.
“Representation on the show floor is expanding, with new and returning regions adding depth and diversity to the buyer experience, along with valuable opportunities to grow their networks and forge new partnerships.”
Based on the current sales pipeline, the 2027 show is expected to feature expanded representation from the following markets. Some have participated previously and are increasing their presence, while others will be joining the event for the first time:
North Africa: Egypt and Algeria
West Africa: Nigeria and Benin
East Africa and the Indian Ocean: Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion
Southern Africa: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola
The Middle East: United Arab Emirates (UAE)
For outbound travel buyers and travel technology professionals, this breadth of representation means more destinations to explore, more suppliers to meet, and more partnerships to forge, all under one roof, over three focused days.
“We are proud and excited to welcome the world’s travel and tourism community to Cape Town once again for the 2027 instalment of WTM Africa in April next year,” says Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor Cape Town. “As the premier travel and tourism expo on the continent, this important event creates invaluable opportunities to connect, collaborate and unlock new possibilities for African tourism. With an even broader range of destinations, suppliers and industry expertise coming together, this promises to be an exciting edition. I encourage travel buyers and tourism professionals to register now and secure their place at this important gathering in our city.”
Buyers’ Club: A smarter way to work the show
WTM Africa’s Buyers’ Club is back, and it means business. Designed exclusively for qualified buyers with genuine purchasing and contracting authority, the Club delivers a focused, high-value experience built around the connections and products that drive real commercial results.
Buyers’ Club 2027 membership includes:
Priority access to new destinations, suppliers, and product developments.
Exclusive networking with exhibitors and senior industry decision-makers.
Access to the dedicated Buyers’ Lounge, with complimentary Wi-Fi, refreshments, and lunch.
Members will also qualify for travel discounts, with details of participating offers to be announced soon.
“Buyers come to WTM Africa with clear commercial objectives, so every part of the experience is designed to make their time count,” says De Jager. “From pre-scheduled meetings and targeted networking to relevant industry content, we want buyers to leave with valuable contacts, fresh market intelligence and tangible opportunities for growth.”
Register now
Buyer registration for WTM Africa 2027 is open now. Don’t wait. Qualified travel buyers and purchasing decision-makers are encouraged to register today and start building their show experience.
WTM Africa 2027
7–9 April 2027
CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa – September 2026 – The FAME Shorts Film Festival has announced the nominees for its 2026 Awards, celebrating outstanding achievement across 17 categories and recognising the filmmakers, performers and creative teams behind this year’s festival programme.
The FAME Shorts Film Festival Awards will take place on 30 October 2026, ahead of the official festival programme, which runs from 30 October to 1 November at The Rockefeller Hotel in Cape Town.
Now in its fourth edition, FAME Shorts brings together short films from Africa and around the world across fiction, documentary, animation and student filmmaking. Since its launch, the festival has screened 129 films, providing a platform for emerging and established filmmakers to showcase their work, connect with audiences and become part of the wider screen industry gathered in Cape Town for FAME Week Africa.
The awards recognise the complete filmmaking process, celebrating storytelling, directing, cinematography, editing, music, design and performance, alongside dedicated awards for documentary, LGBTQ+ representation and student filmmaking.
“Four years into FAME Shorts, I’m incredibly proud of the range of filmmakers and stories the festival continues to attract,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa. “Short film gives filmmakers the freedom to experiment, take risks and tell stories in unexpected ways. These nominations celebrate the films audiences see on screen, while also recognising the extraordinary creative talent and craft behind them.”
2026 FAME Shorts Film Festival Award Nominees
BEST SHORT FILM
‘Aasvoëls (Vultures)’
‘APART’
‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
‘Whispers of a Burning Scent’
‘Everything Between Us’
BEST DIRECTOR
Dian Weys – ‘Aasvoëls’
Naishe Nyamubaya – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
Pola Maneli – ‘APART’
Robyn Phillips – ‘Everything Between Us’
BEST SCREENPLAY
Dian Weys – ‘Aasvoëls’
Mo Harawe – ‘Whispers of a Burning Scent’
Robyn Phillips & Brandon Clarke – ‘Everything Between Us’
Spike Lee, Tim Jones, Jeff Leisawitz & Lubabalo Matti – ‘APART’
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Cameron Baatjies – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
Jason Prins – ‘Everything Between Us’
Pauline Pyras – ‘Burning Lies’
Jason Prins – ‘Vimba! 2’
BEST EDITING
Dan Sadowsky – ‘Dears in the Headlights’
Dian Weys – ‘Aasvoëls’
Shelby Ncube – ‘Everything Between Us’
Shelby Ncube – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
BEST USE OF MUSIC
Black Coffee + Jamute – ‘APART’
Chris Laco Snyman – ‘Everything Between Us’
Lungile Themba – ‘Sikelela: The Enoch Sontonga Story’
Tendaiishe Chitima (Mavis) – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
Ydalie Turk (Jess) – ‘Colour of Dreams’
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Kate Pinchuck (Claudia) – ‘Dread’
Jill Levenberg (Gayle) – ‘Aasvoëls’
Nellie Modimola (Thandiwe) – ‘Everything Between Us’
Wizzy Mangoma (Chirongoma) – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
BEST ACTOR
Edwin van der Walt (Paul) – ‘Aasvoëls’
Innes Maas (Simon) – ‘Everything Between Us’
Leroy Siyafa (James) – ‘God Sleeps on Sundays’
Omar Abdi (Hanfade) – ‘Whispers of a Burning Scent’
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Albert Pretorius (Anton) – ‘Aasvoëls’
David Sherwood (Alfred) – ‘The Man, The Cliff and The Dog’
Hénoc Kiyombo (Raymond) – ‘Leopard of Congo’
Brian Ogola (Benjamin) – ‘GOAT’
BEST LGBTQ+
‘Dread’
‘Everything Between Us’
‘Luna’
‘Queezy Visits the Races’
BEST DOCUMENTARY
‘Amigo the Griot’
‘Dears in the Headlights’
‘Talking to Family’
BEST STUDENT FILM
‘It’s Just a Movie’
‘Sugarcane, Burning’
‘Talking to Family’
‘Queezy Visits the Races’
The winners will be revealed at the FAME Shorts Film Festival Awards on 30 October, setting the stage for three days of screenings and filmmaker experiences as the 2026 festival gets underway.
Tickets for the 2026 FAME Shorts Film Festival are on sale now through Quicket, with individual screening blocks priced at R75 and an All-Block Pass available for R275. Audiences can explore the full festival programme at www.fameshortsfilmfestival.com or read the official 2026 programme here.
“For us, FAME Shorts is about discovering filmmakers and celebrating the people behind the work,” adds Hiller. “Whether someone is making their first student film or has already built an international career, short film remains an incredible space for creativity. We want audiences to discover these stories and, importantly, remember the names behind them.”
The fourth edition of FAME Shorts continues the festival’s commitment to championing original voices, recognising filmmaking craft and creating a platform for the filmmakers shaping what audiences will be watching next.
970 attendees across three days, 260 + companies representing 20 countries, came together in Cape Town for practical insight, technology, networking and conversations shaping the future of customer experience in Africa.
Cape Town, South Africa, August 2026: CEM Africa 2026 concluded at the Century City Conference Centre following three days of strong engagement across Africa’s customer experience community.
The 14th edition welcomed 970 attendees from more than 260 companies across 20 countries, bringing together senior CX, customer service, marketing, digital, technology and transformation leaders alongside solution providers and industry partners.
The event achieved a Net Promoter Score of 69, reflecting a strong response from delegates and reinforcing the relevance of the CEM Africa platform.
Across the programme, delegates had access to 43 workshop and breakout sessions and 10 main stage content sessions, with feedback consistently highlighting the quality, relevance and practical value of the content.
Discussions tackled the issues shaping CX today, including AI adoption, trust, customer intelligence, employee experience, digital transformation, customer journeys and the growing pressure to demonstrate measurable business value.
Standout voices and timely conversations
Under the theme “Trust, Technology and the Human Future of CX in Africa”, the programme combined global perspective with distinctly African CX challenges and opportunities.
Business journalist and best-selling author Bruce Whitfield delivered “The Trust Advantage”, exploring the role of trust in reducing friction and creating stronger business outcomes.
Zahirah Variawa, Founder of The Fourth Thread, opened Day Two with “The Moments People Remember: Why the Experiences We Create Matter More Than We Think”, placing human connection firmly at the centre of customer experience.
Martin Urrutia, Head of Global Retail Experience at The LEGO Group, delivered “Experience Is the Brand”, examining how organisations can design experiences that differentiate, scale and build loyalty.
From the public sector, Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director-General at the Western Cape Government, presented “Citizen Experience by Design: Building Trust Through Better Public Services”, highlighting the importance of experience design in strengthening trust between institutions and the people they serve.
Together, these sessions reinforced one of the strongest messages to emerge from CEM Africa 2026: technology is reshaping customer engagement, but trust, relevance and human connection remain fundamental to great experience.
Engagement across every part of the event
CEM Africa 2026 was designed to encourage participation beyond the main stage.
Delegates moved throughout the venue between keynote sessions, 43 workshops and breakouts, panel discussions, solution demonstrations, the exhibition and direct conversations with technology providers and peers.
Day Zero set the tone with The Social Club: Play. Taste. Connect, live podcast discussions and opening drinks, creating an informal environment for the community to connect before the main conference programme began.
Across Days One and Two, engagement continued through the exhibition, matchmaking and smaller-format sessions, while Matchmaking and Happy Hour and the CEM Engage Party created further opportunities for delegates, speakers and partners to build relationships outside the formal programme.
The event closed with WiN CX Africa, bringing female leaders together around leadership, safety, trust and inclusion in customer and employee experience.
Strong response from partners
Sponsors and exhibitors also reported a highly positive response, with partners contributing actively to both the content programme and the wider event experience.
NiCE, Lead Sponsor of CEM Africa 2026, played a prominent but integrated role throughout the summit, bringing practical perspectives on AI-powered customer experience, enterprise AI agents and the evolving relationship between human and AI-enabled service.
The wider partner community contributed expertise across Voice of Customer, customer intelligence, automation, conversational engagement, journey orchestration, contact centres and CX measurement, helping ensure that technology conversations remained grounded in real operational and commercial challenges.
The numbers behind CEM Africa 2026
The post-event results underline both the scale of the community and the depth of engagement across the programme:
970 total attendance
260+ companies represented
20 countries represented
43 workshop and breakout sessions
10 main stage content sessions
+69 Event NPS
For CEM Africa, the NPS of 69 is particularly significant. It is not simply a measure of satisfaction, but an indication that delegates found genuine value in the content, connections and overall event experience.
“The response to CEM Africa 2026 has been incredibly encouraging. What stood out was the level of engagement across every part of the event, from the main stage and workshops to the exhibition, matchmaking and networking functions. An NPS of 69 reinforces that the community is finding real value in these conversations and in the connections CEM Africa creates.”
Terry Southam, Group Director retail – VUKA Group
Momentum builds towards CEM Johannesburg Edition
With the Cape Town flagship complete, attention now turns to the CEM Johannesburg Edition, taking place on 10–11 November 2026 at NH Hotel in Sandton.
The event expands to a full two-day format in 2026, bringing together senior CX decision-makers, practitioners and solution providers around practical workshops, peer-led insight, solution discovery and purposeful business networking.
The strong response in Cape Town is already carrying forward into Johannesburg, with growing interest from delegates, speakers and commercial partners.
Download the CEM Johannesburg Edition Sponsorship Brochure
CEM Africa is Africa’s leading customer experience summit and a platform for the people and organisations shaping the future of customer engagement across the continent.
Through its flagship Cape Town summit, the CEM Africa Awards and regional Editions, CEM Africa connects senior leaders, practitioners, technology providers and innovators around practical insight, collaboration and the business value of stronger customer experiences.
From French buyers, distributors and producers to co-production opportunities, creative entrepreneurship and cinema, France’s Destination Focus comes to life in Cape Town this October
This October, France takes centre stage at FAME Week Africa as the 2026 Destination Focus, bringing French and African creatives, producers, buyers, distributors, entrepreneurs and cultural organisations together to create new opportunities for collaboration and business.
Taking place from 28 to 30 October 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and then heading to the Rockefeller Hotel from 30 October to 1 November, the France Destination Focus will run throughout FAME Week Africa, with activity spanning film, television, music, fashion, design, gaming, publishing, digital creativity and cultural entrepreneurship.
At its heart, the Destination Focus is about creating stronger connections between France and Africa’s creative industries – putting people in the same room, opening doors to new markets and creating opportunities for African and French creatives to work together.
From bringing French producers to Cape Town interested in exploring co-production opportunities with African producers, to French buyers and distributors looking to discover African content, dedicated speed networking, industry conversations, the Création Africa programme and the African premiere screening of The Phantom of the Opera, France will have a presence across the FAME Week Africa experience.
CREATING REAL BUSINESS AND CO-PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES
For Africa’s film and television industry, one of the key elements of the Destination Focus will be the opportunity to meet French producers, buyers and distributors at FAME Week Africa and MIP Africa.
A delegation of French producers interested in co-production will participate in dedicated speed networking sessions, putting African and French producers directly across the table from one another. These focused meetings will provide an opportunity to introduce projects, identify areas of mutual interest and start conversations around potential partnerships.
French buyers and distributors will also attend, creating further opportunities for African producers and content owners to present their work, understand what the French market is looking for and explore potential acquisition, sales and distribution opportunities.
A dedicated co-production panel will take the conversation further, bringing together producers and industry experts working across film, television and animation to share their experiences and unpack the realities of international co-production.
From finding the right partner and developing a project together to financing, production and international distribution, the conversation will look at where the opportunities lie for French and African producers to work together.
“What excites me about having France as our Destination Focus is that this is about creating real opportunities. We’re bringing French producers, buyers and distributors to Cape Town to meet African creatives, we’re creating dedicated spaces for co-production conversations, and through initiatives such as Création Africa, we’re showcasing some brilliant creative businesses coming out of the continent. Then there’s the cultural side – from fashion and design to the African premiere screening of The Phantom of the Opera. It’s a great mix of business, creativity and culture, and hopefully the start of some exciting new partnerships between France and Africa,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa.
CRÉATION AFRICA: SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE CREATIVITY
Another important part of France’s presence at FAME Week Africa will be Création Africa. This is an initiative of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of France and the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS), created to support entrepreneurs working within the cultural and creative industries.
The second edition attracted 340 applications, from which a Top 50 participated in an intensive seven-week mentorship phase before pitching to a jury. Fifteen businesses from South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi were ultimately selected to move into the programme’s final incubation phase, receiving tailored business guidance, sector expertise, investor introductions and support to become funding-ready.
At FAME Week Africa, delegates will have the opportunity to meet these entrepreneurs and discover their work through the FAME Week Africa pop-up store, panel discussions and activities taking place throughout the event.
“Création Africa reflects France’s commitment to supporting the growth and international development of cultural and creative entrepreneurs across Southern Africa. This second edition demonstrates the quality, diversity and ambition of creative businesses emerging from the region. FAME Week Africa provides an important platform for these entrepreneurs to connect with industry leaders, investors and potential partners, while showcasing their work to wider audiences,” says Jean Spiri, Head of Cooperation at the French Embassy in South Africa, Lesotho & Malawi and Director of the French Institute of South Africa.
Meet the Création Africa Top 15
The businesses represent an exciting cross-section of Southern Africa’s creative economy:
Music
Music Business Lab — Ninel Musson
Digital Media
iQHAWE Media — Renaé Mangena and Anastatia Nkhuna
Gaming and Interactive Media
Vetkoek Studios — Mamello Raboroko and Eric Gardiner
Film, Television and Animation
Better Yet — Hallie Haller
Lincoln Green Media — Kudakwashe “Kudi” Maradzika
Publishing
Bridge Books — Griffin Shea
Design and Craft
Pinda Furniture and Interior Design — Siyanda Mbele
Neimil — Keneilwe Mothoa and Lubabalo Mxalisa
Emotives Africa — Xolela Madlanga
Akhada Baskets — Tisungane Thomson
Fashion
SWANK JOZI — Lindelani Nedoboni
Thethana — Nkotseng Moleko
GUGUBYGUGU — Gugu Peteni
LEO SZN — Kirsten Leo
House of Xandria — Xandria Kawanga
Their presence at FAME Week Africa gives delegates an opportunity to discover not only the products and creative work emerging from the programme, but also to meet the entrepreneurs and businesses behind them and explore opportunities to work together.
FRENCH CINEMA COMES TO FAME WEEK AFRICA
Film will naturally form part of the France Destination Focus, with the African premiere screening of the highly anticipated The Phantom of the Opera (Le Fantôme de l’Opéra). Directed by Alexandre Castagnetti and starring Deva Cassel, Julien de Saint-Jean, Romain Duris, and Laïka Blanc-Franquart the film brings Gaston Leroux’s iconic story into present-day Paris.
The story follows Anastasia, an 18-year-old dancer who arrives in Paris with dreams of joining the prestigious Opéra Garnier. While rehearsing Orpheus, a supposedly cursed opera said to have been composed by the Phantom, she becomes drawn to a mysterious pianist. As opening night approaches, strange accidents and unsettling revelations pull her into an impossible love story somewhere between reality and the supernatural.
Its inclusion at FAME Week Africa gives Cape Town audiences an opportunity to experience a major new piece of French cinema as part of the wider Destination Focus.
OPENING DOORS TO FRANCE
Beyond film and co-production, the Destination Focus will also look practically at how African creatives can connect and collaborate with France.
A dedicated cultural collaboration panel will bring together practitioners and organisations to explore opportunities available through French cultural institutions and programmes – from professional exchanges and training to project development, funding, partnerships and access to international markets.
The aim is to give African creatives greater insight into what opportunities exist and, importantly, how to access them.
ONE DESTINATION FOCUS. MANY WAYS TO CONNECT.
Création Africa, French producers, buyers and distributors, co-production speed networking, industry conversations and the African premiere screening of The Phantom of the Opera are just some of what France will bring to FAME Week Africa this year.
The France Destination Focus is about getting people together and creating opportunities to do business. Whether that is an African producer meeting a French co-production partner, a buyer or distributor discovering their next African title, a creative entrepreneur making a new business connection, or audiences discovering new French cinema, we want people to leave FAME Week Africa with new contacts and conversations they can take forward.
BE PART OF IT
FAME Week Africa takes place from 28–30 October 2026 at the CTICC in Cape Town, bringing together African and international creatives, producers, buyers, distributors, entrepreneurs and industry decision-makers.
Join us in Cape Town this October to meet the people, discover the opportunities and be part of the growing creative relationship between France and Africa.
Strategic collaboration combines international trade-fair expertise with deep regional market knowledge, bringing analytica Lab Africa, IFAT Africa and Africa Automation Technology Fair together in 2027
Messe Muenchen India has announced a strategic partnership with RX Africa to strengthen the scale, reach and market impact of its premier co-located trade fairs, analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa, ahead of their 2027 editions.
The move will bring the Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF) into the same co-located event from 06 – 08 July 2027, staged at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, giving exhibitors and visitors access to a broad ecosystem of complementary technologies.
RX Africa, part of RX Global, is one of Africa’s leading exhibition organizers, with a strong portfolio of established events across key industries and markets. With an experienced team on the ground, deep local market knowledge, and long-standing relationships with industry stakeholders, associations and business communities, RX Africa is well positioned to support the continued growth and development of analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa.
This collaboration aligns with Messe Muenchen India’s targeted expansion strategy across the African continent. The partnership is designed to further strengthen both trade fairs as robust, future-facing business platforms for international trade, industrial development and sectoral exchange.
As Southern Africa’s leading trade fair for water, sewage, refuse, and recycling, IFAT Africa serves as a critical hub for environmental technologies across South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. Co-located with analytica Lab Africa, the region’s leading trade fair for laboratory technology, analysis, and biotechnology, the exhibitions already connect technology providers with industries addressing critical requirements in environmental management, research, testing, quality control and scientific development.
Africa Automation Technology Fair (AATF) adds another important dimension to the platform. With a 28-year legacy, AATF is Africa’s leading and most comprehensive automation technology platform, attracting visitors and international exhibitors from across the world.
Together, the three trade fairs will bring scientific analysis, environmental technologies, industrial-scale implementation and automation technologies into one integrated business environment.
Track Record of Industry Impact
Over the years, these co-located exhibitions have contributed meaningfully to industrial development across the region. The platforms have successfully facilitated international business relations and direct technology transfer by consistently bringing together government entities, municipal authorities, local stakeholders, key market leaders, and scientific researchers.
Past editions have actively driven regional market development by introducing specialized country pavilions from manufacturing hubs like Germany, China, the United Kingdom, and the USA. Furthermore, the events have established a legacy of knowledge sharing through interactive seminars, technical training workshops, and forum presentations that address pressing regional infrastructure and analytical challenges.
Driving Next-Phase Regional Growth
As industries across Africa continue to modernize and scale, the demand for sophisticated laboratory sciences and sustainable environmental infrastructure has intensified.
This partnership responds directly to that market momentum. By combining Messe Muenchen India’s proven capability in building sector-leading trade fairs with RX Africa’s specialized regional insight and execution strength, the partnership aims to deliver an even more compelling showcase of technologies, expertise and business opportunity.
Stefan Rummel, CEO, Messe München, said, “Africa is an important growth market for Messe München. Our approach is to combine the reach and expertise of our global trade fair networks with strong regional knowledge and established local relationships. Through this partnership with RX Africa, we are strengthening analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa as platforms for technology transfer, international business and long-term industrial development across the region.”
Bhupinder Singh, President – IMEA (India, Middle East, Africa), Messe München and CEO, Messe Muenchen India said, “The true value of analytica Lab Africa and IFAT Africa lies in their ability to turn conversations into commercial realities. This alliance allows us to deepen those connections, ensuring that both local buyers and international exhibitors experience a far more impactful trade environment.”
The 2027 editions will feature an enhanced supporting program led by international experts, giving local buyers direct access to global market leaders and technologies. As part of the worldwide IFAT and analytica networks, which span Germany, China, India, Turkey, Vietnam, and the USA, the South African editions offer exhibitors and visitors a reliable gateway to international business relations.
Carol Weaving, Managing Director, RX Africa, added, “Our role in this collaboration is to bring strong regional insight and an established on-ground perspective to support the continued evolution of these already successful exhibitions. Together with Messe Muenchen India, we aim to strengthen market relevance and ensure the delivery of enhanced value and world-class solutions to the important industries served by these platforms.”
Plans are already underway for the 2027 editions, with both organizations aligning resources to deliver an expanded showcase of technologies and high-level networking opportunities. The upcoming editions will focus on bridging the gap between international innovation and regional execution, establishing a benchmark for industry events in the region.
About Messe Muenchen India
Established in 2007 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Messe München GmbH, Messe Muenchen India is one of the leading B2B trade fair organizers in the IMEA (India, Middle East & Africa) region. Its portfolio includes 25+ large-scale B2B trade fairs such as electronica India, productronica India, bauma CONEXPO India, IFAT India, analytica Lab India, analytica Africa, IFAT Africa among others. The company serves a wide range of industries, including electronics, capital goods, clean technology, environment, and life sciences—facilitating meaningful business connections and global knowledge exchange across the IMEA region.
About RX Africa
RX Africa is Africa’s leading exhibition organiser, creating business and consumer events that bring together people, markets and industries. Part of RX, a global leader in events and exhibitions, its portfolio spans sectors including travel and tourism, design and décor, media and entertainment, and pop culture, with established event brands such as World Travel Market Africa, ILTM Africa, Decorex Africa, FAME Week Africa and Comic Con Africa.
MultiChoice Group, a CANAL+ company, in partnership with FAME Week Africa, has announced an exclusive Unscripted Call for Projects for MIP Africa 2026, giving producers the opportunity to pitch bold, premium unscripted formats directly to MultiChoice Group.
The call is looking for original Entertainment and Reality concepts for premium channels, with an immediate hook, addictive storytelling and the potential to become conversation-driving cultural events.
Concepts should feel unmistakably premium, rather than conventional free-to-air entertainment, while remaining simple to understand, commercially viable and adaptable across markets.
Projects should be capable of travelling across key CANAL+ and MultiChoice Group territories, including South Africa, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Poland and France.
MultiChoice Group is looking for projects that demonstrate enhanced production value and ambition while remaining within a commercially viable budget framework. Concepts should not rely on large-scale financing and should be capable of being funded by one specific business unit before being scaled across additional markets.
“At CANAL+, we’re looking for premium unscripted reality concepts that surprise audiences, spark conversations and feel culturally relevant. We’re excited to hear about concepts with a bold and unique point of view, that keep audiences hooked episode after episode, and that have the ambition to scale across markets. This brief is an open invitation for creators who are ready to reimagine African entertainment and bring it to a global stage,” says Nomsa Philiso, Executive Vice President of Content for Canal+ Africa.
WHAT IS MULTICHOICE GROUP LOOKING FOR?
At the heart of the brief is a singular creative vision: an original and ambitious concept that can be explained in one sentence and does not rely on casting alone.
Projects should have clear engagement mechanics and dynamic pacing, with tension, twists, cliffhangers and strong narrative arcs that keep audiences watching across episodes.
Premium execution is equally important. Concepts should demonstrate the potential for cinematic production values, bold artistic direction, an authentic emotional core and a distinctive, self-aware point of view.
Casting should bring together diverse, charismatic and compelling participants, with unexpected choices that move beyond clichés and overused stereotypes.
Importantly, the format needs to be scalable and cost-efficient. Producers should demonstrate a clear and repeatable structure that can travel across cultures, support multiple seasons and, where relevant, benefit from a production hub model.
Ultimately, MultiChoice Group is looking for strong IP with the potential to develop into recurring franchises across MultiChoice Group and CANAL+ markets.
Genres actively sought include dating shows with a twist, reinvented game and talent shows, social experiments with a strong point of view, and adaptations of existing IP such as games, brands, fiction or digital culture.
“One of FAME Week Africa’s greatest strengths is getting African producers in the room with decision-makers who are actively looking for content. This Call for Projects gives producers a very clear brief: bring bold unscripted ideas with a strong hook, real entertainment value and the potential to travel across markets,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa.
WHAT DO PRODUCERS NEED TO SUBMIT?
Producers are required to submit:
A creative treatment in PDF format
An estimated production budget, including the principal cost assumptions
A proposed format and season structure, including episode duration, number of episodes and recurrence
The creative treatment should demonstrate that the project has progressed beyond simply having a good idea.
Under Creative Vision, producers should explain the concept’s hook in one sentence, what differentiates it from existing formats, how audiences should feel while watching, why the format is relevant now and the key proof points for why it will work.
Under Format Mechanics, submissions should identify the programme’s core engine — whether competition, game, social experiment or another mechanism — alongside the key rules and mechanics and what will create tension, cliffhangers and twists across episodes.
Storytelling and Pace should outline the proposed season structure, demonstrate how a typical episode works and identify the main narrative arcs and potential iconic moments.
Talent and Casting should explain who will participate, why they will be compelling to watch and whether any talent is already attached.
The Editorial DNA should demonstrate why the concept belongs on MultiChoice Group’s premium channels rather than conventional free-to-air television and explain what will make its execution feel distinctive and premium.
Producers should also demonstrate a clear understanding of Audience and Impact, including the core target audience, relevant existing communities and why the programme has the potential to generate conversation both in person and across social platforms.
Finally, submissions should address Global Franchise Potential: whether the concept can sustain multiple seasons, how it can evolve while remaining recognisable, and whether it can be efficiently adapted across different countries and cultures.
Shortlisted producers will be invited to Cape Town to pitch their projects live at FAME Week Africa 2026, presenting directly to the MultiChoice Group selection panel and giving them the opportunity to respond to the brief in person.
The live pitch places selected producers directly in front of the team looking for these formats, creating an opportunity to present the concept, explain its creative and commercial potential and demonstrate how it could work across MultiChoice Group and CANAL+ markets.
The Call for Projects forms part of FAME Week Africa’s continued focus on connecting African producers and creators directly with broadcasters, commissioners and platforms actively looking for new content.
Submissions close on 12 October 2026. You can submit your pitch here.
For queries, contact:
Laura Diaz
FAME Week Africa takes place from 28–30 October 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC2), bringing together broadcasters, streamers, producers, distributors, investors and creators from across Africa and international markets.
FAME Week Africa and Pressure Cooker Studios Launch Songwriting Camp Connecting African Music Makers with the Content Industry
FAME Week Africa and Pressure Cooker Studios are joining forces to launch the FAME Week Africa × Pressure Cooker Studios Songwriting Camp 2026, a three-day creative initiative designed to connect African music makers directly with filmmakers, directors, production companies, brands, agencies and content creators looking for original music.
Under the banner “You Bring the Story. We’ll Bring the Sound,” the Songwriting Camp will take place from 25–27 October 2026, immediately ahead of FAME Week Africa in Cape Town.
At the heart of the initiative is a simple idea: real briefs, real music, created by real African talent.
Rather than creating music in isolation and hoping it eventually finds the right project, the camp begins with the stories themselves. FAME Week Africa’s creative community is being invited to submit genuine projects that could benefit from an original piece of music.
FROM BRIEF TO MUSIC
Filmmakers, directors, documentary makers, agencies, brands, production companies and content creators are invited to submit a creative brief outlining their project, the emotion they want to create and where music fits within their story.
From the submissions, three to six briefs will be selected and paired with curated music teams comprising South African producers, composers and musicians working alongside Pressure Cooker Studios. During the three-day camp, those teams will transform the selected briefs into original, sync-ready music demos.
Selected participants will then have an opportunity to hear the music, receive demos and stems to test within their edits, and decide whether the music is right for their project.
There is no cost to submit a brief, and if your project is selected, you’ll receive original music created specifically for your brief at no cost, with no obligation to use it. If you choose to use the track commercially, you’ll have the opportunity to license it at applicable production music rates, with optional exclusivity available.
CREATING NEW CONNECTIONS
The collaboration reflects FAME Week Africa’s continued drive to break down silos between the continent’s creative sectors and create tangible opportunities for collaboration.
“One of the things we want FAME Week Africa to do is create real opportunities for different parts of the creative industries to work together. Music is such a powerful part of storytelling, yet filmmakers and music creators don’t always have the opportunity to connect early enough in the creative process. This collaboration with Pressure Cooker Studios changes that. We’re bringing the story and the sound into the same room, working from real briefs and giving African creatives an opportunity to build relationships that can continue long after the camp ends,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa.
“There is incredible musical talent across Africa, and equally exciting stories being developed across film, television, advertising and digital content. This camp is about connecting those two worlds in a practical way. Instead of writing music and hoping it eventually finds a home, our teams will be responding to real stories, real characters and real creative briefs. We’re excited to see what happens when talented music makers are given the opportunity to create specifically for the stories coming out of the FAME Week Africa community, says Katryn Nieuwoudt, Music Catalogue & Publishing Lead: Pressure Cooker Studios”
The Songwriting Camp also gives filmmakers and content creators direct access to the expertise and infrastructure of Pressure Cooker Studios, a Cape Town-based music and audio studio whose capabilities span original music composition, sound design, final mix, ADR, Foley and music supervision. The studio operates from a 720m² facility that includes Dolby Atmos theatres, a Foley stage, recording and control rooms, and dedicated composition and audio-edit suites.
For the music makers involved, the camp creates an opportunity to respond to actual content briefs and build relationships with the people commissioning and creating work across film, television, advertising and digital media.
It is also deliberately a development platform rather than a commissioning service. The aim is to give both sides the freedom to experiment, collaborate and discover what can happen when a story and the right sound find each other.
WHO SHOULD SUBMIT?
The call is open to agencies and brands, filmmakers and directors, documentary makers, production companies and content creators, including those developing passion projects. Participants retain all rights to their own projects and materials throughout the process. The camp is exclusive to the FAME Week Africa community.
BRING US YOUR STORY
Have a film, series, documentary, campaign or piece of content that needs an original sound? This is your opportunity to hear what African music makers could create for it.
Submitting is free. Selected projects will be matched with a curated creative team and developed during the FAME Week Africa × Pressure Cooker Studios Songwriting Camp from 25–27 October 2026.
Comic Con Africa with Capitec brings both local and international celebrities to the Johannesburg Highveld. The con takes place from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September (the Heritage Day long weekend) from 9am to 6pm daily. Here is a recap of all the epic actors and voice actors from the best games, films, and series shows the world has to offer – including the days they’ll be at the con, and more information on how fans could even get the chance to meet them personally and have them sign memorabilia.
Activities With the Stars
Celebs at Comic Con Africa offer multiple exciting activities at the con.
For all con-goers:
Live sessions on stage: on each day that the celebs are at the con, they take place in live interviews and Q&A sessions on the Main Stage. During these sessions, a Comic Con host chats to the celeb about their careers and experiences behind-the-scenes, and then fans are invited to personally ask their questions which the star answers live on stage. It is an opportunity for a few lucky fans themselves to ask burning questions about their performances, careers, shows, and films. That means that if you get a turn on the mic, your favourite celeb will hear you ask the question yourself! Get to the stage early to secure your space. This chance is open to all con attendees.
Limited opportunities with additional ticket purchases (available on Howler):
Photograph opportunities: with an additional ticket purchase, a Photo Op secures fans a photograph with the celeb. A professional photographer shoots the photograph with studio lighting, which is then printed with high quality printers on site. The photo is also provided as a digital copy.
Autograph sessions: with an additional ticket purchase, con-goers are able to spend a couple of minutes in person with the actor of their choice in an Autograph Opportunity. They can bring their own personal show memorabilia that the celeb will sign, or the con offers professional photos of the celeb for the fan to have signed and take home. Autograph sessions are slightly longer than photo ops.
Here are all the talent that con-goers can see at Comic Con Africa 2026.
Christopher Judge, Actor and Voice Actor
Appearing Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September.
Key performances: Kratos in God of War, Teal’c in Stargate SG1
Renowned actor and voice artist Christopher Judge has enjoyed an illustrious career in tv series from Sci-Fi to comedy, as well as bringing to life the pivotal character Kratos in the epic video game God of War, a game which received over a dozen game of the year awards when it was released in 2018. For the sequel God of War Ragnarök, Christopher won two prestigious best performance awards, and today, Kratos is considered one of the most recognisable characters in gaming history. Christpher’s best-known performance in television so far was for his iconic portrayal of Teal’c in Stargate SG-1, and he appeared in more episodes in the series than any other cast member. Other shows he has appeared in include the iconic MacGyver, the 90’s classic sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Sirens. He also voiced Magneto in the animated television series X-Men: Evolution, based on the Marvel Comics series. The Daytime Emmy Awards-winning series ran for four seasons.
Richard T Jones, Actor
Appearing Friday 25 to Sunday 27 September
Key performances: Wade Grey in The Rookie
Acclaimed American actor Richard T Jones began acting in the 90s, with roles in series like NYPD Blue, Courthouse, Dangerous Minds, and Brooklyn South. In the 2000s Richard appeared in Ally McBeal, Judging Amy, and Girlfriends. He also acted James Ellison in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.After appearances in Bones and Grey’s Anatomy, Richard acted as Governor Samuel “Sam” Denning in Hawaii Five-O, a show which was nominated for multiple Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe, and won at the People’s Choice Awards. He also took on the character of Detective Andrew Hahn in American Horror Story: Hotel. From 2018 to the present, Richard has been a member of the main cast of The Rookie as Police Sergeant Wade Grey. The show has been nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards.
Ian Cardoni, Voice Actor
Appearing Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September
Key performances: Rick Sanchez in Rick & Morty
Born and raised just outside of Boston, Ian Cardoni currently stars in Adult Swim’s two-time Emmy Award-winning animated comedy series Rick and Morty as the titular character Rick Sanchez. Cardoni stepped into the iconic role at the start of season 7, with Season 9 currently airing on Adult Swim and another three seasons already planned. Cardoni has voiced numerous roles across adult and children’s animation, video games, TV promos, and commercials, including recent roles in the Children’s & Family Emmy-nominated and Annie Award-nominated Nickelodeon series Rock, Paper, Scissors, in Fox’s animated series Krapopolis, and in the Sony Pictures Classic film Scarlet from Academy Award-nominated director Mamoru Hosoda. In the video game space, Cardoni has voiced roles across various critically-acclaimed titles, including DC: Dark Legion by Warner Brothers Games, CookieRun: The Darkest Night by Devsisters, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 & 4 by Iron Galaxy, and he reprised his Rick and Morty role of Rick Sanchez in the chart-topping game MultiVersus from Warner Brothers Games which has received multiple Game Awards nominations. Most recently, Cardoni can be heard as the villain Magrus in third-person action game Romeo is a Dead Man by Grasshopper Manufacture and legendary developer Suda51, which released in February 2026.
Harry Belden, Actor and Voice Actor
Appearing Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September
Key performances: Morty Smith in Rick & Morty
Harry Belden is an American actor and voice actor best known for voicing Morty Smith in the Emmy Award-winning animated series Rick and Morty since 2023. Beginning his acting career at a young age, Belden has built a diverse portfolio spanning television, film, theatre, and voiceover work. His natural comedic timing, emotional range, and distinctive vocal performances have earned him recognition among audiences and industry professionals alike. As the voice of one of animation’s most beloved characters, Belden continues to bring humour, heart, and authenticity to projects across entertainment media.
Spencer Grammer, Actor and Voice Actor
Appearing Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September
Key performances: Summer Smith in Rick & Morty
Spencer Grammer is an American actress best known for voicing Summer Smith in the Emmy Award-winning animated series Rick and Morty. With a career spanning television, film, and voice acting, she has earned recognition for her versatility and engaging performances across a variety of genres. Grammer first gained widespread attention for her role as Casey Cartwright on the hit comedy-drama series Greek and has since appeared in numerous television and film projects. As the voice of Summer Smith, she has helped bring one of animation’s most iconic modern characters to life, earning a devoted fan following around the world.
Alison Sealy-Smith, Voice Actor
Appearing Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September.
Key performances: X-Men: The Animated Series,X-Men ’97
Barbadian-Canadian voice actress Alison Sealy-Smith is best known as the iconic voice of Storm in X-Men: The Animated Series and the recent X-Men ’97. Sealy-Smith has become a beloved figure among Marvel and animation fans worldwide. Her portrayal of the powerful mutant leader has been a part of defining a generation of superhero storytelling and remains one of the most celebrated performances in animated television. In addition to her role as Storm, Sealy-Smith has voiced Gamora in Silver Surfer, and Scarlet in Delilah and Julius, and has appeared in fan-favourite series including Spider-Man and Sailor Moon.
Steven John Ward, Actor
Appearing Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September
Key performances: Dracule Mihawk in One Piece (live adaptation)
Steven John Ward is a South African actor, producer, and writer best known internationally for his breakout role as Mihawk in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece. His portrayal of the iconic swordsman introduced him to a global fanbase and solidified his presence in the world of genre television. A graduate of the AFDA School of Motion Picture Medium and Live Performance in Cape Town, Steven has built a diverse career spanning television, film, and producing. With a rapidly growing international profile and a strong connection to audiences worldwide, Steven John Ward continues to be one of South Africa’s most exciting talents.
Alexander Maniatis, Actor
Appearing Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September
Key performances: Captain Kuro in One Piece (live adaptation)
Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Alexander studied drama at the Pretoria Arts Campus, Tshwane University of Technology. Alexander is known for his role as the devious villain and captain of The Black Cat Pirates Captain Kuro – also known as Klahadore – in the critically acclaimed Netflix live action adaptation of One Piece. His career as an actor kicked off in 2016 and since then has covered a wide range of genres where he portrays diverse roles in drama (Love, Lies and Hybrids), comedy (Asseblief en Dankie) and action (ICEseason 2). Maniatis also works as a voice artist and as a musician who sings and plays piano and guitar.
Jazzara Jasslyn, Actor
Appearing Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September
Key performances: Miss Valentine in One Piece (live adaptation)
Jazzara Jaslyn is an award-winning South African actress, writer, and director, and a graduate of the University of Cape Town’s Theatre and Performance program. Jazzara has built a versatile career spanning international television, film, and elite stage productions. She is widely recognized for her role as Miss Valentine in the second season of Netflix’s global hit One Piece. Her television credits include starring as Jane Swann in the action-thriller Professionals (alongside Brendan Fraser), Eliza Pendleton in HBO’s Warrior, and Miranda Hugo in the M-Net drama Lioness. On stage, she has garnered acclaim for her performance as Alex Forrest in the adaptation of Fatal Attraction. Beyond acting, her 2024 debut short film, A Knowing, received nine international awards, followed by her 2026 project Strange Dance.
Nahum Hughes, Actor
Appearing Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September
Key performances: Bartolomeo in One Piece (live adaptation )
Nahum Hughes is a dynamic South African actor whose versatility and strong screen presence have quickly positioned him as a rising force in international entertainment. He recently joined the global hit One Piece, portraying the bold and memorable Bartolomeo in the Loguetown arc, bringing fresh energy to the fan-favourite pirate. Before setting sail on this major role, Hughes delivered a standout performance as the lead in David: King of Israel. His growing body of work also includes appearances in Black Beauty, The Mauritanian, and the historical series Tutankhamun. An accomplished athlete and passionate motorcycle enthusiast, Hughes continues to build a career that spans powerful historical storytelling and high-energy global productions.
Martial T Batchamen, Actor
Appearing Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 September
Key performances: Brook in One Piece (live adaptation)
A Cameroonian-born actor and voice artist who grew up in South Africa, Martial has built a career across international film and television. He has appeared in productions including Redeeming Love, Tali’s Joburg Diary, and Unseen. Martial’s career continues to grow on the global stage with his casting in the hit live-action adaptation of One Piece, where he portrays the beloved pirate musician Brook, a key character whose story ties into one of the most emotional arcs of the series.
About Comic Con Africa
Comic Con Africa is the ultimate pop culture and gaming festival, offering fans a four-day experience of cosplay, international celebrities, autograph and photograph opportunities, gaming and tech, shopping, eSports tournaments, fandom-focused merch, tabletop gaming, trading card games and collectibles, anime, manga, interactive sessions, screenings, activations, KidsCon, and more. At Comic Con Africa, there is something for everyone from casual fans bona fide geeks. Tickets are available on Howler. For press enquiries please email . Visit www.comicconafrica.co.za.
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CRÉATION AFRICA: SUPPORTING THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE CREATIVITY
