In April 2026, Maputo Fast Forward (MFF) took a decisive step in establishing Maputo, and Mozambique, as an emerging hub in the digital and immersive creative economy in Africa. Through its participation in a series of strategic meetings in Johannesburg, MFF positioned itself in a privileged space for dialogue, collaboration, and the creation of new opportunities with some of the key players in the Cultural and Creative Industries sector, both regionally and internationally.
Among the key moments, a highlight was participation in the executive workshop Immersive Africa: The Business of African Immersive Content, organized by Spaces of Culture within the EUNIC network (EU National Institutes for Culture), held at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. This workshop featured a panel discussion on the production and distribution of the immersive experience Kancìcá – with the special participation of Liz Gomis, founder and director of MansA (Maison des Mondes Africains), and Michaël Swierczynski, co-founder and executive producer of Dream Feel Factory. This meeting brought together a select group of participants including decision-makers from creative industries, cultural institutions, funding entities, as well as artists, creators, and professionals directly involved in the development of immersive content, promoting a multidisciplinary dialogue focused on building sustainable models for the production and distribution of African immersive content.
The discussions focused on the urgent need to develop sustainable and replicable models for the international production and distribution of immersive African content. At a time when the continent already demonstrates strong creative capacity in this field, but still faces limitations in terms of infrastructure, funding, and international circulation, the workshop highlighted the crucial role of collaboration between producers, institutions, and investors. MFF’s participation in this space allowed for direct engagement with these dynamics, reinforcing its integration into networks that are defining the future of immersive storytelling in Africa.
This experience was further enhanced by attending the premiere of Kancìcá in South Africa, presented at the Wits Anglo American Digital Dome. Co-produced by MansA and Dream Feel Factory, this work is a striking example of the artistic and technical potential of immersive African production. The experience in the digital dome—a 360-degree projection environment that fully envelops the viewer—offered a concrete vision of the future possibilities for content distribution and presentation, both in cultural and educational contexts.
Paralelamente a este evento, o MFF participou num workshop fechado dedicado ao desenho de um hub criativo digital em Moçambique, inserido numa colaboração contÃnua entre a 16Neto e o Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct. Este processo, iniciado em 2025 e apoiado pela Embaixada de França, visa desenvolver um modelo sustentável para o crescimento das indústrias criativas digitais no paÃs. A participação do MFF neste segundo workshop reforça não só o seu papel activo neste percurso, como também o compromisso com a construção de capacidades locais, o desenvolvimento de talento e a criação de novas oportunidades económicas.
Throughout this trip, MFF also took the opportunity to hold strategic meetings with partners and stakeholders, continuing the development of its festival and exploring new possibilities for collaboration. These moments, often informal but highly relevant, are fundamental to consolidating relationships and opening doors for future projects, especially in the context of cooperation between Mozambique and South Africa.
Overall, this presence in Johannesburg revealed a clear and intentional approach: more than just participating in events, Maputo Fast Forward is positioning itself as an active agent in building a regional creative ecosystem, connecting talent, knowledge, infrastructure, and market opportunities. By integrating decision-making spaces, experimenting with new forms of production and distribution, and investing in strategic partnerships, MFF contributes to establishing Maputo as a relevant point on the map of African creative innovation.
At a time when the cultural and creative industries are undergoing accelerated transformation, driven by digital technologies and new forms of consumption, initiatives like Maputo Fast Forward play an essential role in building bridges between local contexts and global dynamics. This journey in Johannesburg represents not just a step, but a clear sign of ambition and commitment to the future of African narratives.
MFF Team
