CCH Pounder to Lead Cross Continental Forum Expansion to South Africa
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Partnership with UMEDA and Pambili Media Opens New Pathways for Global Film and Television Producers
CCH Pounder Joins as Key Leader
Award-winning actor CCH Pounder is taking on a new leadership role outside of film and television. She’s helping to guide the Cross Continental Forum (CCF) as it expands to South Africa for its 2026 edition. The international co-production platform connects producers across Africa and the global diaspora and has been a growing part of the global conversation around creative ownership and representation.
Expanding into KwaZulu-Natal
The 2026 program will land in KwaZulu-Natal through a new collaboration with UMEDA, the economic development agency for the Pietermaritzburg Midlands, and Pambili Media, a South African production company known for regional and international partnerships. The move signals a broader shift toward building lasting networks between Africa, the Caribbean, and diaspora markets.
A Focus on Ownership and Equality
Pounder, who has long been an advocate for stronger storytelling frameworks rooted in local cultures, said she’s proud to see more producers enter co-production markets as creative equals. The forum’s emphasis on shared authorship, rights, and community-centered stories fits into trends already shaping the global industry. “Artists and producers should have ownership over the stories they tell,” she noted in a conversation with the organizing team. “That balance of respect and creative control is what will define the next decade of international production.”
Partner Voices on the Ground
According to Michael Newton, CEO of UMEDA, the partnership comes at the right time. “KwaZulu-Natal is ready to engage the global screen economy in new ways. Partnering with the Cross Continental Forum connects our region’s creative industries with international producers, while positioning the Midlands as a gateway for collaboration between Africa and the global marketplace,” Newton said. His team sees the event as both an economic opportunity and a step toward long-term creative sustainability in the region.
Theme: Bridging Markets, Building Futures
CCF’s 2026 theme, Bridging Markets, Building Futures, centers on expanding Black authorship and Global South leadership in international co-productions. The organizers are focused on ensuring that producers from Africa and other Global Majority regions participate not as service providers, but as originating partners with full creative and financial stakes. The approach aims to help producers retain intellectual property and build capacity at industry and institutional levels alike.
The Forum’s Background and Growth
The Cross Continental Forum was first launched by CaribbeanTales Media Group in 2024. Since then, it has brought together producers from Africa, the Caribbean, Canada, Europe, and the Americas to connect with potential co-production partners and distributors. The first two editions took place in Barbados, setting a foundation for professional exchange and project development. Moving the forum to the African continent marks a major step in expanding its influence and grounding it more deeply in the regions it serves.
2026 Program Schedule
The 2026 program begins with a weeklong in-person gathering in the Pietermaritzburg Midlands from July 20th to 26th. This segment will feature producer roundtables, region-specific sessions, and one-on-one pitching opportunities. Discussions are expected to focus on the realities of cross-border co-productions and how to navigate legal and financing structures across territories.
After the South Africa sessions, CCF continues at the Toronto International Film Festival Market from September 8th to 13th, followed by four weeks of virtual labs and curated B2B matchmaking sessions that help participants move projects forward.
Application Details
Applications are now open to established and emerging producers of African, Caribbean, or Global Majority descent working in Canada, the Caribbean, Africa, the U.K., Europe, and South or Latin America. The organizers encourage producers from smaller markets and underrepresented communities to apply. Some bursaries are available to offset participation costs, and applications close on April 15th, 2026.
A Step Toward Global Collaboration
For CCH Pounder and the partners involved, the expansion reflects a growing need for practical, sustainable routes to inclusion within global production models. It’s not about starting over, but about connecting existing creative ecosystems across continents and ensuring that the work remains accessible and collaborative.
The Cross Continental Forum’s shift to South Africa is more than a venue change. It’s a sign that distributed creative leadership and shared authorship can shape how stories travel and how they are owned. For producers considering the next step in their careers or projects, this forum might be the right place to start.
About the Cross Continental Forum
The Cross Continental Forum, established by CaribbeanTales Media Group, is a co-production accelerator connecting Black and Global Majority producers across Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada and the Americas. The hybrid program provides mentorship, training and industry connections designed to support sustainable and equitable global partnerships.