Africa’s Film Research Takes Centre Stage

FAME Week Africa and Frames of Freedom Launch New Initiative Connecting Africa’s Brightest Film Researchers with the Screen Industry

Johannesburg, South Africa: – FAME Week Africa has partnered with Frames of Freedom to launch a new webinar series that brings Africa’s leading film researchers into conversation with the screen industry, creating a platform where groundbreaking ideas can shape the future of storytelling, policy, production and sustainability.

The Frames of Freedom webinar series begins in August 2026 and will connect master’s, PhD and postdoctoral researchers with filmmakers, broadcasters, producers, distributors, commissioners and policymakers, ensuring that academic research moves beyond the classroom and into meaningful industry conversations. Research topics span commissioning, financing, licensing, production, distribution, policy, the ethics of storytelling, and interdisciplinary themes including renewable energy, circular economy solutions and sustainable filmmaking practices.

Rather than traditional academic talks, the Frames of Freedom webinars have been designed to translate research into practical, industry-facing conversations that can directly influence the future of African filmmaking.

“Frames of Freedom was created because we believe research should not sit on a shelf. It should challenge industries, influence policy, inspire filmmakers and create real opportunities for change. This programme gives emerging researchers the opportunity to engage directly with the people making decisions across the film ecosystem while encouraging bold, interdisciplinary thinking around storytelling, sustainability and social innovation. The webinar series is our invitation to the industry to join these conversations from the very beginning, before they continue face-to-face at FAME Week Africa,” says Godisamang Khunou, Team Lead of Frames of Freedom.

The August webinars includes:

5 August:

• Gendered Freedom in African Industries presented by Aishlyn Mullen, exploring the representation of women in South African cinema and the reimagining of female protagonists.
• Creative Freedom vs. Funding Dependency in African Cinema presented by Mamodibe Ramodibe, examining African streaming platforms, funding models and the future of locally driven screen industries.

19 August

• Freedom, Memory and Post-Apartheid Cinema presented by Siyavuya Mfenqa, exploring the representation of South Africa’s townships in post-apartheid cinema and the ethical responsibilities of storytelling.
• Freedom of Representation and the African Gaze presented by Aphiwe Mame, tracing the evolution of South African television and examining how media has shaped identity, culture and public discourse.

These online conversations will set the stage for deeper engagement at FAME Week Africa, where the researchers will meet face-to-face with producers, commissioners, broadcasters, distributors and policymakers to continue the dialogue and explore how research can help shape the future of African storytelling.

“FAME Week Africa exists to connect the people shaping the future of the creative industries. Some of the most important thinking about our sector is happening inside universities, yet too often that research never reaches the producers, commissioners, investors and policymakers who can put it into practice. The Frames of Freedom Webinar Series is the beginning of that conversation. By bringing these researchers to a global audience online before welcoming them to FAME Week Africa in person, we’re creating a platform where research becomes collaboration, and collaboration helps shape the future of African storytelling,” says Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa.

To register for the free Frames of Freedom Webinar Series and find out more about the programme, click Here

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