INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME · 2–9 AUGUST 2026
Mpumalanga's Film Industry Summit
Where government, technology, finance and creativity converge — 40+ sessions, 20+ technology brands and six invitation-only investment sessions across the festival week.
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES
Why the Industry Programme Exists
- Position MIFF 2026 as Mpumalanga's Film Industry Summit — the premier gathering of film, technology, government and investment in the province
- Connect SA filmmakers with global markets, streaming platforms, international co-production partners and distribution networks
- Introduce cutting-edge film technology — AI, LED, PTZ, wireless, automation — and make it accessible to emerging and established filmmakers
- Unlock government and private-sector funding for film businesses in Mpumalanga — NFVF, NYDA, SEDA, NEF, DFA, DEDET and beyond
- Establish Mpumalanga as Africa's premier wildlife filmmaking destination through KNP, MTPA and conservation storytelling partnerships
- Create measurable business outcomes: co-productions signed, investments made, skills transferred, careers launched
WEEK SCHEDULE
Masterclasses, Keynotes & Panels
All industry sessions run at Southern Sun Hotel Riverside from 12:30, following the morning cinema programme at Ster-Kinekor.
MONDAY 3 AUG
American Film Showcase — Building Global Film Careers
- 13:00–14:00 · Keynote: Quan Phung — The Future of Global Storytelling
- 14:00–15:00 · Masterclass: How International Studios Buy Projects
- 15:30–16:30 · Workshop: Television Series Development & Showrunner Skills
- 16:30–17:00 · Open Q&A + Resource Sharing
- 18:00–20:00 · ★ Private Networking Reception — US Embassy Partnership (invitation only)
TUESDAY 4 AUG
Finance · Co-Production · Funding — Follow the Money
- 13:00–14:00 · NFVF: Funding Opportunities for SA Filmmakers
- 14:00–15:00 · International Co-Production: Treaties, Partnerships & How They Work
- 15:00–15:30 · Film Publication Board: Classification in the Digital Age
- 15:30–16:30 · DCSR: Growing Mpumalanga's Creative Economy
- 16:30–17:00 · Open Industry Discussion: What Does the Film Industry Need Most?
- 18:00–20:00 · ★ Government & Industry Investment Roundtable (invitation only)
WEDNESDAY 5 AUG
Digital Filmmaking & Technology — Make Amazing Work with Technology
- 13:00–14:20 · Rocket Science (Siya Mpanza): Film Data Management, Archives & Digital Storage
- 14:30–15:20 · Mr B: Vertical Films Workshop — Mobile-First Storytelling
- 15:30–16:20 · Godox SA (Damien Bradshaw): Lighting Masterclass — Professional Light for Every Budget
- 16:30–17:00 · Practical Demo + Q&A: Data · Vertical · Lighting
- 18:00–20:00 · ★ Technology Business Networking (invitation only)
THURSDAY 6 AUG
Wildlife Filmmaking & Cinema Tech — Africa's Natural Advantage
- 13:00–14:20 · Panasonic (Shintaro Umekage): Wildlife Camera Technology & Cinema Systems
- 14:30–15:20 · Nology & ABSEN (Zoey): LED Cinema Technology — The Future of Outdoor Screening
- 15:30–16:20 · MTPA & SANParks Panel: Wildlife Storytelling — Filming in Protected Areas
- 16:30–17:00 · Panel: The Future of Wildlife Filmmaking in Africa
- 18:00–20:00 · ★ Conservation Investment Networking (invitation only)
FRIDAY 7 AUG
Building the Film Business — Invest. Grow. Scale.
- 13:00–14:00 · Sony + Visual Impact (Marius van Straaten): Understanding Film Equipment Investment
- 14:00–15:00 · Hollyland (Danny Yang): Wireless Production Systems — The Modern Workflow
- 15:00–16:00 · Axel Technology (Enrico Vaccari): Automation, Digital TV & Online Broadcasting
- 16:00–17:00 · Government Support Panel: NYDA · SEDA · NEF · DFA + Private Investors
- 18:00–20:00 · ★ Film Business Investment Forum (strictly by invitation)
SATURDAY 8 AUG
WildMarket Africa @ Kruger National Park
- 09:00–11:00 · WildM Game Drive with wildlife filming mentors
- 11:00–12:00 · Wildlife Storytelling Forum
- 13:00–13:45 · Canon: Wildlife Photography & Long Lens Production
- 13:45–14:30 · Media Valley: The Future of Wildlife Content
- 14:30–15:00 · FAME Week Africa: International Markets & Positioning
- 15:00–16:30 · Government Showcase Panel: DCSR · DEDET · NYDA · MTPA · DFA
- 17:00–18:00 · Location Marketing: Why Mpumalanga?
- 18:00–20:00 · ★ Wildlife Film Screening + Networking Around the Fire
18:00–20:00 DAILY · BY INVITATION ONLY
Private Networking & Investment Sessions
The highest-value part of the MIFF 2026 Industry Programme — limited attendance, designed for real business outcomes: investment deals, co-production agreements, equipment partnerships and strategic collaborations.
Mon · US Embassy Reception
Building global SA film careers — fellowships, exchanges and US–SA partnerships.
Tue · Investment Roundtable
Connecting capital to creative — structured 1:1 meetings, funding agreements, co-production MOUs.
Wed · Technology Networking
Film tech meets finance — distribution deals, rental businesses, film data centre investment.
Thu · Conservation Investment
Where wildlife meets film capital — LED cinema at KNP, documentary commissioning.
Fri · Investment Forum
Deals are made here — formal 1:1 investor meetings, term sheets and LOIs. The festival’s highest-priority session.
Sat · Under the Stars @ KNP
Networking around the fire at Skukuza — wildlife film pitches and tourism-film investment.
TECHNOLOGY AT MIFF 2026
The Tech Shaping Film in 2026
AI in Film
Script analysis, colour grading, autofocus, broadcast automation and archive search — presented by Panasonic, Axel Technology and Rocket Science.
Vertical & Mobile-First
Over 70% of video is watched on phones — monetise TikTok, Reels and Shorts as a professional filmmaker.
Cloud & Remote Production
Cloud editing, remote monitoring, wireless transmission and DCP delivery without hard drives.
LED Volume & Outdoor Cinema
The Mandalorian-style LED production and bright, reliable outdoor screening for the African bush.
Broadcast Automation
One person can now run an online TV channel — automation, AI scheduling and IPTV distribution.
Cameras & Lighting
Sony FX-line, Panasonic PTZ, Canon AI autofocus and the Godox LED lighting revolution.