Yara Amiel, producer and Partnerships Manager at Maputo Fast Forward (MFF), participated in the 3rd Cultural and Creative Forum, held on 10 and 11 June in Maputo, where she shared the platform’s experience during a panel discussion on partnership models, challenges, and opportunities within the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI).
The forum brought together artists, cultural entrepreneurs, academics, representatives of public and private institutions, municipalities, and national and international partners, with the aim of promoting dialogue and strengthening Mozambique’s cultural sector.
During her intervention, Yara Amiel emphasised that Maputo Fast Forward’s growth over the past ten years has been made possible through the development of a strong network of strategic partnerships. According to the producer, the platform has evolved beyond its original format as a creativity and innovation festival, expanding its scope and activities.
“MFF is a very large platform that has grown thanks to its network of partners. It would not have been possible on our own. A platform like this, bringing together thinkers, creatives, artists, and technologists, creates something truly remarkable: a platform for innovation and creativity. From the festival, we created the MFF Academy, where we encourage multidisciplinary research and artistic residencies. We have now also launched a creative hub project,” she said.
Amiel also highlighted the importance of networking and the ability to identify collaboration opportunities. As an example, she referred to the partnership established with the JFS Group, which enabled the use of a building located in downtown Maputo that was transformed into one of the main venues for the festival’s activities.
“As soon as we identified the space, we explored its possibilities and realised that nothing was happening there. We sought to understand why and then presented a proposal to the JFS Group. We showed them the potential of the building. I do not think they imagined everything that would eventually take place there during the 2024 Biennale,” she explained.
For Yara Amiel, this experience demonstrates how partnerships can contribute to the revitalisation of urban spaces and the creation of new cultural dynamics within the city.
On the occasion, the producer also revealed that preparations for the next Maputo Fast Forward Biennale are already at an advanced stage and that the event is expected to take place in October this year.
The Cultural and Creative Forum was organised by Cultiv’Arte, a European Union initiative implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Culture.
