The Création Africa Forum returns to Lagos from 16-18 October 2025, bringing together over 1,000 creative professionals from across the continent. Among the leading voices shaping the programme are South Africa’s Nosipho Maketo-Van Den Bragt (Chocolate Tribe), who will explore building Africa’s VFX ecosystem; Sithembiso Mphele (Dipopaai Studios), presenting the groundbreaking case study on Spinners: From Screen to Game; Kenya’s Yvonne Muinde (Vis.Age), delivering the opening Morning Talk; and Madagascar’s Dina Valisoa (Red Raketa Studio), showcasing the acclaimed Kalanoro project.

Création Africa is a desktop and mobile platform, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) and developed by the French Institute for MansA – Maison des mondes africains. It is designed to connect and support professionals in the cultural and creative industries (CCI) in Africa and France. Co-developed with industry stakeholders, it facilitates collaborations between them and promotes projects developed on the continent. Featuring a directory of professionals, initiatives, calls for applications, resources, and training, the platform supports project leaders from idea to implementation. The Création Africa platform aims to build a dynamic creative community and showcase the diversity of talent and cultural initiatives.

A delegation of 27 participants from South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi will travel to Lagos to present their expertise across VR, animation, gaming, TV series, sound design, fashion, and film. The delegation includes leading voices such as:

• Adwoa Ankoma, Director of Policy and Research, Electric South (South Africa)

• Kyle Shepherd, film composer and pianist (South Africa)

• Nosipho Maketo-Van Den Bragt, CEO, Chocolate Tribe (South Africa)

• Avuzwa Ntshongwana, Founder, South Game Studio (South Africa)

• Matjatji Lodi Matsetela, Programme Lead, Digital Content Hub, Tshimologong Precinct

• Sithembiso Mphele, Co-founder, Dipopaai Studios (South Africa)

• Erika Denis, Creative Industries Consultant, Tshimologong Precinct (South Africa)

• Joy Mawela, Head of Digital Content Hub, Tshimologong Precinct (South Africa)

• James Matthes, Co-founder, Pressure Cooker Studios (South Africa)

• Eric Gardiner, CEO, Vetkoek Studios (South Africa)

• Marthinus Van Rooyen, Art Director, Mollo Animation Studio & Academy (South Africa)

• Mamelo Raboroko, Game Designer, Vetkoek Studios (South Africa)

• Nomsa Philiso, CEO: General Entertainment, Multichoice Group (South Africa)

• Tendaiishe Chitima, Actress (South Africa)

• Leroy Siyafa, Actor (South Africa)

• Xabiso Vili, World Poetry Slam Champion (South Africa)

• Amy Jephta, Screenwriter and Playwright (South Africa)

• Ramadan Suleman, Director, Writer and Producer (South Africa)

• Katleho Monyako, 3D Animation and VFX Artist (Lesotho)

• Ben Myres, CEO and Creative Director, Nyamakop (South Africa)

• Julian Kubel, Founder, Butan streetwear (South Africa)

• Liz Maleana, Digital Media Artist and Educator (South Africa)

• Rafik Seleman, Filmmaker and Cinematographer (Malawi)

• Rapitso Mosebetsi, Co-founder, Iconics Clothing (Lesotho)

KEY PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN DELEGATION

Access the full programme:

 https://forumcreationafrica.fr/en/category/events-en-en/

Opening Talk – Yohance: We Are All Superheroes

The Lagos edition opens with a special presentation of Yohance, an ambitious sci-fi film blending African cultural narratives with cutting-edge Virtual Studio technology.

Tendaiishe Chitima, Leroy Siyafa, and Kyle Shepherd form part of a panel discussion which features the creative team of the film. Produced by Federation MEAC (France) and Sanu Wara (U.S.), with the support of Canal+, Yohance pioneers a new aesthetic and production model for African filmmaking.

Spinners: From Screen to Game

A ground-breaking panel will present Spinners: The Game, the first video game set in Cape Town’s Cape Flats, inspired by the award-winning South African-French TV series Spinners; produced by Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, supported by La Maison des Mondes Africains (Paris), South Africa’s Job Funds and Federation MEAC. Contributors include Eric Gardiner, Sithembiso Mphele, Avuzwa Ntshongwana, Ben Myres, Mamelo Raboroko, and Marthinus Van Rooyen, produced by Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in collaboration with Vetkoek Studios and Nyamakop.

Industry Talk – Building a VFX Ecosystem from Africa

Nosipho Maketo-Van Den Bragt of Chocolate Tribe will join international experts to explore how African studios and creators are building a sustainable VFX ecosystem, tackling challenges of infrastructure, talent development, and global visibility while celebrating African innovation in storytelling.

Exhibitions and Pitches

Game developer Ben Myres will present a newly developed video game, while entrepreneur Rapitso Mosebetsi will pitch his pioneering Thermal Heating Apparels.

Pitching sessions at the Forum serve as a competitive international co-production platform, where selected projects gain access to financing opportunities, distribution partners, and one-on-one meetings with global industry stakeholders.

Event Details

• Dates: 16–18 October 2025

• Location: Lagos, Nigeria

• Format: 2 days for professionals, 1 day open to the public

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About Création Africa Forum

The Création Africa Forum is a flagship initiative launched by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture. It is curated by MansA – Maison des Mondes Africains and supported by partners including AFD, Business France, Bpifrance, and the Institut français. It serves as a unique platform for cooperation between Africa and Europe, dedicated to the development of cultural and creative industries.