Arrival, badge collection and networking.
← Forum homeDraft programme
The full three-day programme
Wednesday 25 – Friday 27 November 2026 · Bingu International Convention Centre, Lilongwe. Every session with its focus, by day and time. Use your browser’s print function for a paper copy.
- Draft programme. All speakers and facilitators are proposed until independently confirmed; sessions may change.
- Only a lunch break (12:30–13:30) is scheduled each day. Acoustic, musical and dance performances are programmed as interludes between sessions.
- A creative economy exhibition and marketplace runs alongside the Forum from Day 2 — a separate programme will be provided.
- There is no formal investor pitching, buyer matchmaking or guaranteed financing.
The future of Malawi’s creative economy — African lessons and Malawian opportunities
Cultural performances and national anthem · welcome remarks (UNDP) · keynote: Investing in Africa’s creative economy — CANEX lessons for Malawi (Afreximbank) · remarks from Standard Bank · ministerial address · guest-of-honour remarks.
Literature, publishing, heritage products, responsible commercialisation and community benefit.
The only scheduled break of the day; performances are programmed as interludes.
Audience building, creator revenue, platforms and the ethical use of AI.
Reading a screenplay, finding your fit on set, spotting a character’s core motivation and managing vocal tone.
How styling and modelling tell a brand’s story.
Live conference-song concept and lyrics.
Gaming ecosystem, revenue models, youth opportunities and a live demonstration.
Finding unique story sources and developing multi-layered characters.
With the Paul Smith Foundation (virtual participation, to be confirmed).
Splits, credits, ownership and registration, with COSOMA.
Wrap-up of the day across all tracks.
Proposed; subject to confirmation.
Commercialising creativity — rights, markets and digital opportunity
Exhibition and marketplace open from today.
Presentation of findings and recommendations, followed by moderated stakeholder reflections.
Nigeria’s experience in coordination, talent development, markets and exports.
Copyright, licensing, ownership, royalties and practical IP decisions across creative genres, with in-person support.
The only scheduled break of the day; performances are programmed as interludes.
With the PSD–Zantchito programme.
Resource mobilisation, free expression in the creative sector, workflow planning and budgeting.
Registering and defending a fashion brand.
Planning a release from master to market.
XR, AI-assisted creative production and digital archives, with a showcase subject to partner confirmation.
Advanced editing workflows, colour grading, soundscapes that carry emotional impact, and poster design.
Protecting and promoting the origin of Malawian fashion and textiles.
Building artists who can compete regionally and globally.
Wrap-up of the day across all tracks.
Evening celebration of Malawian film.
Partnerships, finance, exports and the way forward
Exhibition and marketplace continue.
Policy, institutions, value chains, creative-sector organisation and lessons Malawi can adapt.
Finance-readiness, export development and transferable lessons.
The only scheduled break of the day; performances are programmed as interludes.
Business skills for creative entrepreneurs.
Three-point, natural and practical lighting, mood, genre, contrast, night shooting and cinematic looks.
Turning a collection into a viable business.
Artist management, teams and revenue.
Unlocking youth enterprise and digital payments in Malawi’s creative economy.
Marketing independent films and digital media productions.
Designers, manufacturers and partners on growing the sector together.
Conference-song release only if rights and production are ready.
Consolidating policy, IP, culture, digital economy and ecosystem priorities.
Close of the Forum.
Evening screening.