Selected artist teams will receive full financial support to bring their immersive projects to life. Each team will be granted a production budget ranging from R 500,000 to R 1,200,000, depending on the scale and complexity of the project. In addition to funding, participants will gain access to expert mentorship from professionals in immersive storytelling, technology, and production design. Teams will also be connected with one of six heritage and archival institutions in Southern Africa, enabling them to creatively engage with authentic historical and cultural materials.

The selected projects will be developed over a one-year period and will be exhibited publicly between September and November 2026, offering creators valuable regional exposure and professional recognition. Participants will further benefit from networking and international exchange opportunities facilitated by the French Institute of South Africa and its partners, enhancing their visibility across both African and global creative sectors.

The Futures_Past open call welcomes applications from teams of artists and technologists who are based in South Africa, Lesotho, or Malawi. Each team must consist of four key members, including a Creative Lead or Director, who must be from or resident in the same country as the selected archive; a Technologist Lead, experienced in immersive or interactive digital media production; a Producer, responsible for managing project development and logistics; and a Trainee Assistant Producer, under the age of 30, who will gain mentorship and industry experience through the program.

Eligible teams should demonstrate a strong background or interest in digital storytelling, immersive art forms, and heritage-based creative projects. Collaborative, cross-disciplinary proposals that explore innovative uses of archives and reflect social, cultural, or historical relevance are strongly encouraged. Projects must involve immersive formats — such as VR, AR, MR, XR, or spatial experiences — as traditional 2D or linear film projects will not be considered.

South Africa
• Lesotho
• Malawi

Click the official link below to apply for this opportunity