FAME Week Africa 2026 unveils first conference programme

The event will take place from 28 to 30 October at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC2), with the newly introduced Music Week extending the programme to 31 October. The annual gathering brings together professionals from across Africa’s film, television, music and wider creative industries.

The conference programme will feature discussions on the use of AI in film and content production, international co-productions, global content distribution, audience development, digital storytelling and the creator economy. Other sessions will examine vertical storytelling, youth content, intellectual property, music publishing and rights management, as well as changes to traditional distribution models.

“The creative economy is evolving at an extraordinary pace, and the opportunities for African creators have never been greater,” FAME Week Africa portfolio director Martin Hiller said. “This year’s programme has been curated to ensure delegates don't just hear about the future, they meet the people creating it.”

Hiller said the event would also provide opportunities for delegates to find potential co-production partners, commissioners, investors, clients and collaborators.

International media personality and entrepreneur Kim Jayde will open the conference and host a session titled From Followers to Film: Growing Your Career in Media and Production, which will examine how creators are converting digital audiences into careers in film, television, marketing and experiential entertainment.

“I have been very intentional in curating this panel on the main, bringing together industry professionals who each offer unique perspectives and collectively decades of experience. The creator economy is reshaping film, television, marketing and experiential industries,” Jayde said.

Other confirmed speakers include Flavia Motsisi, Melissa Nayimuli, Mandla N, Thabo Rametsi, Aubrey-Simone Williams, Bohang Moeko, Sahar Baghery, Kiki Finley, Sivuyile ‘Siv’ Ngesi, Lorcia Cooper and Zukisani Karabo Mabece. They will appear alongside producers, broadcasters, commissioners, distributors, investors and creators from across the entertainment sector.

The City of Cape Town will again serve as host city, with the event expected to bring industry professionals from Africa and other international markets to the city.

Alderman JP Smith, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security at the City of Cape Town, said the event provided an opportunity to strengthen Cape Town’s role in the continent’s creative economy.

“Cape Town is proud to once again host FAME Week Africa, welcoming the visionaries, storytellers, innovators and industry leaders who are shaping the future of Africa’s creative economy,” Smith said. “From globally recognised speakers and award-winning creatives to emerging talent and international decision-makers, the event transforms the Mother City into a hub of creativity, collaboration and opportunity.”

A new Music Week will run from 28 to 31 October, incorporating three music industry events under a single delegate ticket: Muziki Africa, the inaugural Pretty Loud Summit and Music Exchange (MEX26).

Muziki Africa, headlined by the South African Music Performance Rights Association (SAMPRA), will address issues including AI, rights management, music publishing, live events and artist development. The Pretty Loud Summit will focus on women in the music industry, while MEX26 will examine the wider entertainment economy.

France will serve as FAME Week Africa’s 2026 Destination Country, creating a focus on potential partnerships between African and European creative industries. The programme is expected to explore co-production, investment, cultural exchange and other forms of collaboration.

Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho and Malawi deputy head of mission and Chargé d’Affaires Benjamin Cabouat said: “We see immense potential for collaboration through co-production, investment, innovation and cultural exchange, creating new opportunities for professionals on both continents and strengthening the ties that connect our creative ecosystems.”

The first phase of the conference programme is now available to delegates, with additional sessions and announcements expected ahead of the October event.

View the FAME Week Africa 2026 conference programme.

Register for FAME Week Africa 2026.