by Garland-Waide Bradford | Jul 10, 2019 | Animation News
Animation du Monde / AAFFIA / 2nd Judge & Mentor Announced!
The Pan-African Animation du Monde pitching competition readies for the 3rd preliminary round to take place at the inaugural Accra Animation Film Festival.
One of the benefits winners of the preliminary round get, is that their projects will be get feedback from industry professionals. These judges and mentors have played pivotal roles in the evolution of the global animation industry over the last few decades.
One of these judges and mentors who will be attending the Continental Finals of Animation du Monde at DISCOP Johannesburg is Mike de Seve, the Emmy Award nominated President of Baboon Animation (the New York-based IP development studio which has 27 Emmy Awards collectively and numerous Oscar nominations). His career started with the creation of the iconic, animated, MTV logos. He would go on to write and direct the pop culture phenomenon Beavis & Butt-Head. His fingerprints can be seen on projects like Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Toy Story, Madagascar and many other international animated feature film and TV series productions.
“African content is so accessible. The things that make people in Africa love it is the same reason a kid in Brooklyn will too. I’m excited to be part of this and to see where it’s [African] animation will go in the next few years.” Mike said in a recent interview.
The Accra Animation Film Festival is an opportunity for creatives to gather and share their ideas. Making it the ideal place for the next round of Animation du Monde preliminaries. Although, it is a brand new festival, the Accra Animation Film Festival is an important step for the animation industry in the region. North-West Africa is due to have the largest population on the continent over the next few decades. This has fueled the growth of the comic book industry in the region and now stands as the largest on the continent. As a sister industry to animation it is an indication of the heights that can be reached.
The animation market includes children and adults in a way that very few other storytelling crafts do. Growing it on the continent allows creatives to be able to reach the world with African narratives. And, as the world moves towards more inclusive stories, Mike’s words ring true in our ability to move people on the other side of the world with our tales.
Animation du Monde is playing pivotal role in growing the African animation industry. Prior to its inception there had been few pitching platforms accessible to African creatives to see if they have what it takes to get people interested in their projects. The competition has also created an avenue for producers to pitch and gain feedback from some of the best minds in the industry.
Pitching is an important skill every creative needs if they want their ideas financed and produced. You might not have a polished project yet but, even this year’s illustrious judges started somewhere. They are willing to share their knowledge with those who make it to the Continental Finals at DISCOP Johannesburg.
The third round of the preliminaries of the Pan-African Animation du Monde are taking place at AAFFIA and entry is currently open. Contestants have until the 12th of July to submit their project and can do so by clicking HERE.
Subscribe to our newsletter and keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for news on when the preliminary rounds will be in your region!
Garland-Waide Bradford has a career path that has varied from corporate work as a public relations manager in communications strategy to media work as an insert producer for factual television. These were purposeful choices to understand how to integrate creative choices with market requirements in turning content into brands. Growing up in a township meant that these educational opportunities were out of reach due to access and financial constraints. But, having paid his dues through work, Bradford is a dynamic thinker who owns a skills set that is third industrial revolution ready. He completed his BA Honours in Media Studies in 2017. His focus has been on media management and has been studying models of sustainability in the media for several years. He started his journey with the African Animation Network as Head of Communications in 2017 where he hopes to use his skills to empower aspirant animation professionals and member associations to further their global reach.
by Garland-Waide Bradford | Jul 8, 2019 | Animation News
FUPiTOONS and FUPiSAURUS are looking for content!
The African short film festival for kids, FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL, is on the prowl with its mascot FUPiSAURUS looking for African animated shorts.
FUPiTOONS launched in 2017 in Johannesburg. In the years since its debut it has screened in over 9 African countries and Brazil. And, brought FUPiSAURUS to life for the 2018 edition of the festival. The call for shorts for the third edition is now open HERE!
In the past the festival has showcased shorts from across Africa including the highly acclaimed comedy film “A Kalabanda Ate My Homework“ by Raymond Malinga. The film, which explores the heights of a child’s imagination, won Best Short Film at FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL 2018 and has won several other awards across Africa.
FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL aims to bring attention to the African animation industry by showcasing the best animated shorts the continent has to offer. By making its target audience children, FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL also attracts their parents. This shows them that there are African stories for children that they can watch. It also raises the profile of the craft across the continent.
The categories from which movies will be nominated in are :
- Best Animation Short Film,
- Best Animation TV Short Films, Episodes and Webisodes,
- Best Commissioned Animation Short Films,
- Best Graduation Animation Short Films,
- Best Overall Animation
If you have a short film aimed at children, and a run time of no longer than 5 minutes, FUPiSAURUS is looking for you and your movie! This year’s festival will launch during DISCOP Johannesburg in November 2019 before embarking on another journey across the continent. Entries close on 1st September 2019.
Subscribe to our newsletter and keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for news on when the preliminary rounds will be in your region!
FUPiTOONS et FUPiSAURUS recherchent du contenu!
Le festival du court métrage africain pour enfants, FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL, est à l’affût avec sa mascotte FUPiSAURUS à la recherche de courts métrages d’animation africains.
FUPiTOONS a été lancé en 2017 à Johannesburg. Au cours des années qui ont suivi son lancement, il a été projeté dans plus de 9 pays africains et au Brésil. Et, FUPiSAURUS a donné vie à l’édition 2018 du festival. L’appel à la candidature pour la troisième édition est maintenant ouvert ICI!
Dans le passé, le festival a présenté des courts métrages venus de toute l’Afrique, y compris le film de comédie très acclamé « A Kalabanda Ate My Homework » de Raymond Malinga. Le film, qui explore les sommets de l’imagination d’un enfant, a remporté le prix du meilleur court métrage à FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL 2018 et a remporté plusieurs autres prix à travers l’Afrique.
FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL a pour but d’attirer l’attention sur l’industrie africaine de l’animation en présentant les meilleurs courts métrages d’animation que le continent peut offrir. En faisant de son public cible des enfants, FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL attire également leurs parents. Cela leur montre qu’il existe des histoires africaines pour enfants qu’ils peuvent regarder. Il rehausse également le profil de l’artisanat à travers le continent.
Les catégories à partir desquelles les films seront nominés sont:
- Meilleur court métrage d’animation,
- Meilleurs films d’animation TV, épisodes et webisodes,
- Meilleur court métrage d’animation commandé,
- Meilleur court métrage d’animation de fin d’études,
- Meilleure animation globale
Si vous avez un court métrage destiné aux enfants et d’une durée maximale de 5 minutes, FUPiSAURUS recherche pour vous et votre film! Le festival de cette année s’ouvrira lors de DISCOP Johannesburg en novembre 2019 avant de s’embarquer pour un autre voyage à travers le continent. Les inscriptions ont déjà commencé et se clôturent le 1er septembre 2019.
Abonnez-vous à notre newsletter et gardez un œil sur notre page Facebook et notre site Web pour savoir quand les tours préliminaires auront lieu dans votre région!
Garland-Waide Bradford has a career path that has varied from corporate work as a public relations manager in communications strategy to media work as an insert producer for factual television. These were purposeful choices to understand how to integrate creative choices with market requirements in turning content into brands. Growing up in a township meant that these educational opportunities were out of reach due to access and financial constraints. But, having paid his dues through work, Bradford is a dynamic thinker who owns a skills set that is third industrial revolution ready. He completed his BA Honours in Media Studies in 2017. His focus has been on media management and has been studying models of sustainability in the media for several years. He started his journey with the African Animation Network as Head of Communications in 2017 where he hopes to use his skills to empower aspirant animation professionals and member associations to further their global reach.
by Garland-Waide Bradford | Jul 2, 2019 | Animation News
Animation du Monde 2020 heads to Ghana!
The third leg of the Pan-African Animation du Monde 2020 preliminary rounds is on its way to the Accra Animation Film Festival (AAFFIA). This is both the launch of the festival and of Animation du Monde in Ghana.
Animation film festivals are opportunities for creatives to gather. A place where they share their experience, connect, network, and discuss their hopes for the future of the craft. Some festivals like Annecy Int. Animated Film Fest’ & Market/MIFA, who are honouring Africa next year as part of the Africa 2020 Creative Season, are looking forward to their 60th anniversary. Others, like AAFFIA, are celebrating their inaugural event.
AAFFIA is joining a growing number of African animation film festivals which include the likes of; the Festival international du cinéma d’animation de Meknès/FICAM in Morocco (which was started in 2001), Cape Town International Animation Film Festival/CTIAF in South Africa (launched in 2011 as Kunjanimation & rebranded in 2015 as CTIAF), FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL (launched in 2017 and having toured 9 countries in 2018 and +11 countries in 2019, the African Animation Network’s FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL is Africa’s biggest animation short film festival) and Festival du Film d’Animation d’Abidjan/FFAA (launched in 2018). These festivals play an important role in raising the profile of African animation. Something Animation du Monde has also come to embody.
This is something, Diana Rosu, the mind behind the creation of the AAFFIA festival is keenly aware of. She said; “In my experience as an animation producer as well as working with creatives and animators across Africa, it is imperative to know your project’s ins and outs. Too many animation projects start out as passion projects and never see completion because the director or the team involved have lost track of the initial framework along the way. Annecy and Animation du Monde are setting the bar high for animation industries that are still malleable and are now defining themselves and that’s an excellent way to ensure that they become competitive on the global market.“
Animation du Monde and AAFFIA provide creatives with opportunities to have their short film project, series concept, or feature length movie seen by the world while it is still in its incubation phase. This is something that hadn’t existed for one of Africa’s most celebrated animation filmmakers, Ghanaian local (and FUPiTOONS FESTiVAL Director) Comfort Arthur. Her movie Black Barbie has traveled around the world (to over 50 international film festivals) to much acclaim. She persevered in an environment that didn’t have opportunities like these.
She shared the following; “It’s not just about winning at the Animation du Monde pitching competition but, it’s also about learning how to pitch and get better. Many creatives in Africa have great ideas but are not good pitchers! Since I took part in the first edition in 2017, my pitching skills have improved and I have learned so much about how to best present my projects to potential investors.”
The call for the third prelim of the Pan-African Animation du Monde taking place at AAFFIA is currently open. Contestants have until the 12th of July to submit their project and can do so by clicking HERE. Video pitches will be accepted for those not able to attend the preliminary regional round at AAFFIA however, candidates who are able to attend the event will be given preference. The competition regulations can be viewed HERE.
Subscribe to our newsletter and keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for news on when the preliminary rounds will be in your region!
Garland-Waide Bradford has a career path that has varied from corporate work as a public relations manager in communications strategy to media work as an insert producer for factual television. These were purposeful choices to understand how to integrate creative choices with market requirements in turning content into brands. Growing up in a township meant that these educational opportunities were out of reach due to access and financial constraints. But, having paid his dues through work, Bradford is a dynamic thinker who owns a skills set that is third industrial revolution ready. He completed his BA Honours in Media Studies in 2017. His focus has been on media management and has been studying models of sustainability in the media for several years. He started his journey with the African Animation Network as Head of Communications in 2017 where he hopes to use his skills to empower aspirant animation professionals and member associations to further their global reach.
by Garland-Waide Bradford | Jul 1, 2019 | Animation News
DISCOP Abidjan Animation du Monde 2020 Winners
The Pan-African Animation du Monde 2020 season is in full swing. The second leg of this year’s competition completed at the end of May at DISCOP Abidjan. The winners are currently preparing for the Continental Finals taking place at DISCOP Johannesburg later this year. The winners in no particular order are:
- The Oil of Amadi by Matthew Brown (South Africa) and Harrison Yinfaowei (Nigeria)
- Tchamba by Doh D Daiga (Burkina Faso)
- Orisha Pikin by Archange Kiyindou (Republic of the Congo)
Animation du Monde has had a huge impact on the African animation landscape in the 3 years that it has been run by the African Animation Network through a partnership with DISCOP Markets and Annecy Int. Animated Film Fest’ & Market/MIFA. The improvement in the quality of projects being presented are testament to this. Creators are being afforded an opportunity to compete on an international stage via the competition. Apart from being the place where the first Pan-African Animation du Monde pitches were held in 2017, DISCOP Abidjan plays a pivotal role in reaching the Francophone African creative community. At the moment, it is the only leg of the competition that takes place in a Francophone African country and has also been the launch pad for the contest into West Africa in the last two years.
The recent announcement by Annecy Int. Animated Film Fest’ & Market/MIFA that Africa will be the continent of honour for Annecy 2020 as part of the African 2020 Creative Season, coincides with the festival celebrating 60 years of existence. It is encouraging creatives from Africa to showcase their skills and talents and is a special moment for animation on the continent to share its rich history of art.
The call for the third prelim of the Pan-African Animation du Monde taking place at Accra Animation Film Festival (AAFFIA) is currently open. This will be the first time that Animation du Monde will be taking place in Ghana, a country with a rich history of animation and talent. Contestants have until the 12th of July to submit their project and can do so by clicking HERE. Video pitches will be accepted for those not able to attend the preliminary regional round at AAFFIA however, candidates who are able to attend the event will be given preference. The competition regulations can be viewed HERE.
Subscribe to our newsletter and keep an eye on our Facebook page and website for news on when the preliminary rounds will be in your region!
Garland-Waide Bradford has a career path that has varied from corporate work as a public relations manager in communications strategy to media work as an insert producer for factual television. These were purposeful choices to understand how to integrate creative choices with market requirements in turning content into brands. Growing up in a township meant that these educational opportunities were out of reach due to access and financial constraints. But, having paid his dues through work, Bradford is a dynamic thinker who owns a skills set that is third industrial revolution ready. He completed his BA Honours in Media Studies in 2017. His focus has been on media management and has been studying models of sustainability in the media for several years. He started his journey with the African Animation Network as Head of Communications in 2017 where he hopes to use his skills to empower aspirant animation professionals and member associations to further their global reach.
