Deadline: 12-Aug-2025
The Embassy of France in South Africa, Lesotho, and Malawi, in collaboration with the French Institute of South Africa (IFAS) and Electric South, is launching a new initiative to transform heritage experiences through immersive storytelling. Archival and cultural institutions in South Africa, Malawi, and Lesotho are invited to apply.
The project, Futures_Past: Amplifying Memory with Immersive Technologies, will run from July 2025 to March 2027. It aims to help institutions engage the public in new ways by using immersive formats such as virtual and augmented reality, spatial audio, and interactive installations to bring archival materials to life.
The initiative supports public access to heritage by fostering creative collaborations, building professional networks, and producing original digital works inspired by historical and cultural archives. It features three main components: a policy study on immersive arts in the region, a mobility and networking program in France for up to 20 professionals, and the co-creation of six immersive artworks developed by creative teams in collaboration with selected institutions.
Participating institutions will have the chance to work directly with immersive artists and producers to digitally reinterpret their archival collections. These collaborations will help attract new audiences, increase institutional visibility, and enhance capacity in the growing field of digital storytelling. Institutions will also participate in an international exchange, with one representative traveling to France for professional networking and exposure.
The project timeline begins with an open call from July to November 2025 to select six institutions and six creative teams. Between November 2025 and November 2026, the teams will develop the immersive works. Public exhibitions will follow from August 2026 to February 2027 in all three countries.
Each selected institution will be matched with a creative team. A production budget will be provided to develop immersive artworks, and the project will cover creation, installation, and technical setup. Institutions are expected to contribute by offering exhibition space, staffing, coordination, and communications support. In some cases, financial contributions may also be required.
One representative from each institution will join the mobility program in France, visiting immersive studios, museums, and cultural events to build global connections. All immersive works will respect the integrity and cultural significance of the archival materials they draw from.
Applications are welcome from museums, archives, libraries, heritage institutions, cultural centers, and universities based in South Africa, Malawi, or Lesotho. Eligible institutions must hold cultural or community-based collections, be open to creative reinterpretation of their archives, and commit to public engagement and international collaboration.
Prior experience in immersive media is not required. Institutions will receive full support and be paired with experienced creators. Projects may also involve French co-producers, expanding opportunities for long-term global partnerships.
To apply, institutions must submit a brief profile, a description of their proposed archival collection, a statement of interest, contact details for a project lead, and a letter of commitment from institutional leadership.
For more information, visit Electric South.
