This year, Fame Week Africa, to be held in Cape Town from 1 to 7 September, will put the spotlight on women in film, music, fashion and entertainment. It will feature a wide range of content sessions, film screenings, musical performances, fashion shows and networking events.
A special highlight of the week is the popular African Women in Entertainment Breakfast, scheduled for Wednesday 4 September. It provides a vital platform for networking, collaboration and mentoring between women in the entertainment industry.
The City of Cape Town strongly supports women in creative and cultural spaces, fostering an environment where female artists, filmmakers, musicians and fashion designers can flourish. This is demonstrated through various initiatives and events that celebrate and promote women’s contributions to the arts.
African women in cinema
Media Insider MIP Africa is dedicated to supporting women in film and television by providing platforms and opportunities that highlight their contributions and address the industry’s challenges.
The conference this year will feature discussions and panels focusing on the unique challenges faced by women in the industry and showcasing their successes and innovations.
Leading women’s advocacy organisation SWIFT is introducing a pioneering ‘Safety Contact Officer’ (SCO) scheme, which provides a confidential and trained resource for reporting and managing incidents of sexual harassment on productions.
Zanele Mthembu and Lindi Ndebele-Koka from SWIFT will discuss this initiative, along with Onke Dumeko, NFVF Operations Manager, Thoko Ntshinga, actress, director and arts activist, and Ayanda Sibisi, co-founder of Hamilre Production and Reel’d Shorts.
An influential panel of women from the film industry will come together, Among the participants are Hamisha Daryani Ahuja of Forever 7 Entertainment, who directed the global hit Nollywood film Namaste Wahala, Kaye Ann Williams, VP Content at Primedia, and Maganthrie Pillay of Masala Film Works, the first black woman to direct a South African feature film.
Joining them will be Chevonne O’Shaughnessy, CEO of America Cinema Inspires, and Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at Multichoice.
African women in fashion
Focusing on the fashion industry, Fame Week’s African Fashion Forum will host shows by leading African designers, including Yolanda Okereke from Nigeria, The shows aim to highlight the rich diversity and innovative spirit of African fashion design.
Sober Design House founder Tshepo Mafokwane will host a masterclass in which she will share her design journey and give invaluable insight into the challenges and successes she has encountered.
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African women in music
The focus of Muziki Africa is the advancement and empowerment of women in the African music industry.
Audience sessions will focus on gender equality in music, the transformative impact of digital platforms on women’s careers and the importance of mentorship and collaboration.
It provides an invaluable platform for networking, learning and inspiration, underlining the commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for women in music across the continent.
