FAME Week Africa bets big on content dealmaking

SPOTLIGHT | Betrayal, epic battles, African stories and US jazz maestro returns

FAME Week Africa 2026 put money at the centre of the continent’s storytelling business this week. Filmmakers, musicians, content creators and international industry leaders gathered under the banner “Africa. Untold. Unstoppable”, with France as the featured destination country and MIP Africa acting as a dealmaking hub where partnerships were opened up to carry African stories to global audiences. The framing was unmistakably commercial: African content is increasingly being treated as export product rather than local curiosity, and the continent’s creative economy as a growth market.

Ownership ran through the industry conversations. Local stars Thando Thabethe, Kim Jayde and Siv Ngesi joined panels on converting creative talent into equity, business success and long-term commercial control. The shift reflects how performers on the continent are looking beyond fees and toward stakes in the value chain.

MultiChoice, one of the continent’s biggest content investors, moved to deepen its slate. The company confirmed that Die Kantoor, its South African adaptation of The Office, will return for a second season, a renewal that signals confidence in licensed-format localisation as a commercial proposition. MultiChoice is also partnering with Stained Glass TV, the production house behind The Wife and eHostela, on a new dark psychological thriller, extending a relationship with one of the country’s most reliable hitmakers.

Cinema, meanwhile, is banking on star power and franchise-scale spectacle. Wild Horse Nine, from Oscar-winning director Martin McDonagh, whose credits include The Banshees of Inisherin and In Bruges, sends two CIA agents on a secret mission to remote Easter Island, where the assignment unravels into a dangerous web of secrets, political intrigue and betrayal. The cast carries real box-office weight: John Malkovich, Sam Rockwell, Steve Buscemi and Mariana di Girolamo. The film is in cinemas now, with the marketing pitch summed up simply: trust no-one and question everything.

Also competing for the cinema-going rand is Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, an epic fantasy staging a legendary battle between good and evil. Prince Rama and the immortal King Ravana are on a collision course that could threaten the balance of creation. Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, the film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Yash and Sai Pallavi, and its score comes from two Oscar-winning composers, Hans Zimmer and AR Rahman, an investment in musical pedigree that underscores the production’s global ambitions. The film is now at cinemas.

Live entertainment is another arena where international acts see value in the South African market. Acclaimed saxophonist and social media sensation B Thompson is returning to the country for the B Thompson Luxury Series 2026, a format that pairs soul and smooth jazz with fine dining, positioning the tour at the premium end of the live-music market. Fresh off the release of his instrumental single Intimacy, he spoke to Spotlight about his musical journey and what fans can expect next.

All of it forms part of Spotlight, the weekly entertainment snapshot covering new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes land every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, and the show can be followed on Facebook for the latest news and giveaways. Previous episodes, along with full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips, are available on the Spotlight Facebook page.

Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events. Claris by Gerrit Pienaar can be found on Facebook, and on Instagram at gerritpienaardesigns.

See you at the movies.