The Festival Management Residency Programme, organized by Pawstudios Africa in collaboration with the British Council, has successfully concluded its virtual sessions from October 23-25, 2024. This dynamic residency brought together over 50 festival managers and cultural leaders from across Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe to engage in critical dialogues around festival management, sustainability, and cultural diplomacy. These sessions set the stage for the Live Convening at Lagos Fringe 2024 from November 19-24, where participants will gather to further explore festival management and foster collaborations on the ground in Lagos.
Throughout the residency, participants delved into essential topics for modern festival management, including film festival curation, multidisciplinary arts programming, and economic and social sustainability in festival planning. The program emphasized the pivotal role of cultural diplomacy, with sessions led by distinguished cultural experts like Erwin Maas, who shared insights on cultural diplomacy’s evolution and artists’ role as cultural ambassadors.
“Artists are not just entertainers; they are diplomats of culture, fostering mutual understanding and innovation,” said Erwin Maas. “This residency is empowering participants to approach their festivals with a mindset that goes beyond borders, using cultural exchange as a tool for social impact.”
The residency emphasized the importance of cultural diplomacy, highlighting how festivals can serve as platforms for international cultural relations. Participants represented their regions in breakout sessions, discussing how festivals can bridge cultural divides and foster collaboration. Leaders from festivals in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, and other countries introduced themselves and their unique festival experiences, enriching the conversations with diverse perspectives. This collaboration will continue at the Live Convening, where cultural diplomacy will take center stage, inspiring deeper connections across African and international festivals.
The residency also featured sessions on sustainable funding and the practicalities of festival programming. Nadine Patel, a creative consultant with extensive experience across Africa, shared strategies for securing funding aligned with global goals like the Sustainable Development Goals and emphasized the importance of measurable, realistic impact statements in applications. Representatives from the British Council and Goethe Institute provided insights on funding programs and encouraged festival managers to align with funders’ missions while promoting diversity, environmental sustainability, and community engagement.
“Building a sustainable festival requires aligning with the right funders and understanding the broader impact of your festival. This residency has shown us the power of strategy and authenticity in funding applications,” shared Nadine Patel.
The culmination of the Festival Management Programme will be the Live Convening at Lagos Fringe 2024, taking place in Lagos from November 19-24, 2024. This in-person gathering will provide participants with an opportunity to build on the virtual sessions, engage with peers and mentors, and participate in workshops focused on Technology and AI for Creatives, Funding Opportunities, and Festival Sustainability. The Live Convening will also feature networking events, hands-on workshops, and keynote discussions, furthering the exchange of ideas and reinforcing international cultural bridges.
“Lagos Fringe 2024 is more than a festival; it’s a platform for creative exchange and empowerment,” said Kenneth Uphopho, Festival Director at Lagos Fringe. “By gathering these cultural leaders in Lagos, we are positioning Africa’s festivals as incubators of innovation and change on the global stage.”
The Festival Management Residency Programme reflects Pawstudios Africa’s commitment to empowering the African creative sector through professional development and cross-cultural dialogue.
For more information about the Live Convening and Lagos Fringe 2024, visit www.lagosfringe.ng.
About Pawstudios Africa
Pawstudios Africa is a pioneering creative and innovation hub dedicated to elevating African storytelling through innovative arts and culture programs. Based in Lagos, Pawstudios Africa is committed to producing impactful arts festivals, theatrical productions, and training initiatives that empower the next generation of African creatives. Some of the incubator programs by Pawstudios Africa include; Young Critics & Reviewers Residency Programme, Actors workshops, Directors Workshops, and Creative Enterprise Programme.
