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.
by Garland-Waide Bradford | Jun 10, 2019 | Animation News
African Animation Network and Animation Nigeria land first international service job & DISCOMICS IQEMBU grows its footprint with the PARTNER STUDIO PROGRAM.
Under the DISCOMICS IQEMBU umbrella (IQEMBU means cluster isiZulu) the African Animation Network (AAN), in partnership with Animation Nigeria (AN), has delivered on its promise to build a sustainable animation industry in Africa. DISCOMICS IQEMBU has secured a 2D animated service project through its industry partner Toonz Media Group. Episodes of the Chinese kids’ TV series, Wool Wool Town, will be produced in Lagos by a collective of 8 studios comprising +50 animators. This is the first international service job that the fledgling Nigerian animation industry has been able to secure and will keep said studios busy for at least the next 10 months.
On the back of this massive success for the Nigerian (and by extension the broader African) animation industry, DISCOMICS IQEMBU is launching its PARTNER STUDIO PROGRAM. Partner studios will form part of a capacity-and-efficiency-building pipeline, whereby service work from partners such as Toonz Media Group, and Baboon Animation, will be funneled.
As an incubator, accelerator, and cluster (read more HERE), DISCOMICS IQMEBU’s current focus is on partnering with small to medium enterprises within the African animation industry with a long term view of collaborating with African creators to bring their original IP to market.
Through research, AAN has been able to establish that service work is the foundation on which older animation industries like Japan and India have been built on. As a business model it creates both an income as well as the space to learn industry best practice. It also creates an environment where a culture of excellence is infused into original IP.
AAN launched the DISCOMICS IQEMBU in November 2018. This initiative is made possible through AAN’s partnership with DISCOMICS, Toonz Media Group, Baboon Animation, DISCOP Markets, and Toon Boom. The purpose of these investments is to grow the African animation industry.
Toonz Media Group and AAN started looking at different projects as part of the partnership. “Wool Wool Town fit the parameters and the goals we have set for the DISCOMICS IQEMBU.” said Nick Wilson Head of Projects & Content at AAN. In December 2018 AAN and AN animated a test for the 2D kids series. According to Toonz it was one of their best tests delivered through their network of approximately 100 network of partner studios.
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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 | May 13, 2019 | Animation News
Head Judge & Mentor for Animation du Monde 2020 Announced / DISCOP Abidjan
The Pan-African Animation du Monde pitching competition has, in its short history, come to represent a window of opportunity for creators of animation content on the continent. DISCOP Abidjan is gearing up to welcome the best and brightest for the 3rd edition of this prestigious contest at the market. Both of these partnerships align with the African Animation Network’s (AAN) cornerstones in creating a sustainable creative industry in Africa. Giving producers market access as well as an opportunity to build relationships within the industry that will result in turning ideas into content.
Animation du Monde’s mission is to give animation projects in developing animation industries from across the world the opportunity to participate at the highest level internationally during the MIFA Pitches. The MIFA Pitches are arguably the biggest animation focused pitching forum in the world and take place against the backdrop of the Annecy Int. Animated Film Fest’ & Market/MIFA (Annecy/MIFA).
“The last 3 years of having partnered with AAN to host Animation du Monde Pan-Africa have been really exciting for us at MIFA.” Said, Géraldine Baché, Head of Education & Projects at MIFA. “We have been able to identify and mentor talents that we would ordinarily have never had access to. And this is really at the crux of what we are intending to do with Animation du Monde; firstly, and very importantly, skills development as many of the contestants have never had any formal training but are extremely talented and passionate and, secondly, for the top talents, to give them access to the global animation industry during the MIFA Pitches. I am looking forward to resuming my role as the Head Judge & Mentor at the Continental Finals of Animation du Monde at DISCOP Johannesburg in November and working with more amazing African animation talents!”
Contestants have until the 17th of May 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 DISCOP Abidjan however, candidates who are able to attend the event will be given preference. The competition regulations can be viewed HERE.
Wilfrid Paré, General coordinator of Association Burkinabè du Cinéma d’Animation (ABCA), describes his Animation du Monde experience: “Initiating ABCA’s partnership with AAN in 2017, was one of the most beautiful things that happened to me professionally. I have seen Africa express itself in its diversity and beauty through enthusiastic and creative young people who proudly carry their uniqueness. Uniqueness that they try to communicate to the world at the DISCOP Markets and ultimately, if they are successful, at Annecy. The Regional and Continental phases of Animation du Monde, which I took part in, accelerated my skills development. I met people that are convinced that it is possible to tell beautiful stories on the continent. It moved me and made me aware that another Africa is possible, a CREATIVE Africa.”
Africa’s animation industry is still developing. In recognition of the challenges that creators face in being able to reach a market there is a strong focus on animated short film and series this year. These formats have created opportunities in the past for African producers to forge continental and international partnerships to produce their content.
The variety of stories that exist in Africa is a testament to the diversity of its more than 1.2 billion people. Animation du Monde is creating a platform for the world to learn more about this population. The most widely spoken languages across the continent might be English, French, Arabic, and Portuagese, but story is creating a new means to understand who we are as Africans. Something our two African finalists, Nildo Essa (Mozambique) and Dami Solesi (Nigeria)hope to achieve at the Animation du Monde MIFA pitches finale taking place at the Annecy/MIFA 2019.
DISCOP Abidjan is the second of 5 preliminary rounds of the Pan-African Animation du Monde 2020. Through the DISCOMICS footprint– an initiative run by DISCOP Markets and AAN– and which includes partnerships with 3 of Africa’s longest running comic conventions, AAN will be hosting 4 regional prelims in Johannesburg (at ICON CGC), Abidjan (at DISCOP Abidjan), Lagos (at Lagos Comic Con), and Nairobi (at Nairobi Comic Con). Because, the partners are always looking to create new opportunities for creators across Africa, AAN has partnered with the Accra Animation Film Festival (AAFFia) to add a 5th regional prelim.
At the Continental Finals held at DISCOP Johannesburg 2018, all the finalists got to work on their projects with industry heavy hitters who were both judges and mentors. These included names like Alexis Ducord & Arthur de Pins (Co-directors of Zombillenium), Mike de Seve (Creative Director at Baboon Animation), Rathan Sam George (COO of Toonz Media Group), and Géraldine Baché (Head of Projects at MIFA). As part of the Annecy – MIFA Animation du Monde – Skills Programme, a programme of workshops, masterclasses, one-on-one project evaluations and pitch practice sessions were run at DISCOP Johannesburg ahead of the continental final. Participants were given valuable insights into both improving their projects and their pitching techniques.
“The value of entering a pitch competition like Animation du Monde goes far beyond winning or losing. Through it you build relationships, your confidence to sell your project, and most of all the insight of industry professionals with years of experience with projects from around the world.” says Nick Wilson, Head of Projects & Content at AAN.
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 | Apr 28, 2019 | Animation News
Animation du Monde 2020 returns to DISCOP Abidjan in partnership with the African Animation Network (AAN) will host the 3rd annual Animation du Monde pitching competition next month.
As Africa’s animation industry continues to develop, and in recognition of the challenges that creators face in being able to reach a market, there will be a strong focus on animated short film and series.
DISCOP Abidjan is the second of 5 preliminary rounds of the Pan-African Animation du Monde 2020. Through the DISCOMICS footprint– an initiative run by DISCOP Markets and AAN– and which includes partnerships with 3 of Africa’s longest running comic conventions, AAN will be hosting 4 regional prelims in Johannesburg (at ICON CGC), Abidjan (DISCOP Abidjan), Lagos (at Lagos Comic Con), and Nairobi (Nairobi Comic Con). Because the partners are always looking to create new opportunities for creators across Africa, AAN has partnered with the Accra Animation Film Festival (AAFFia) to add a 5th regional preliminary round.
The MIFA Pitches are arguably the biggest animation focused pitching forum in the world and take place against the backdrop of the Annecy Int. Animated Film Fest’ & Market/MIFA (Annecy/MIFA). A place where filmmakers can celebrate the craft while building relationships and a deeper understanding of the industry. Contestants have until the 17th of May to submit their project and can do so by clicking HERE.
Animation du Monde’s mission is to give animation projects in developing animation industries from across the world the opportunity to participate at the highest level internationally during the MIFA Pitches. Video pitches will be accepted for those not able to attend the preliminary regional round at DISCOP Abidjan however, candidates who are able to attend the event will be given preference. The competition regulations can be viewed HERE.
“The value of entering a pitch competition like Animation du Monde goes far beyond winning or losing. Through it you build relationships, your confidence to sell your project, and most of all the insight of industry professionals with years of experience with projects from around the world.” says Nick Wilson, Head of Projects & Content at AAN.
During the 2018 Animation du Monde finals in Annecy Ingrid Agbo, from Togo, secured a pre-sale for her project L’arbre à Palimpseste which is currently in pre-production. Ingrid qualified with her project through the 2017 regionals run by AAN at DISCOP Abidjan and won one of two places to represent Africa at Annecy/MIFA 2018 via the Animation du Monde 2017 Continental Finals at DISCOP Johannesburg Through her journey she was able to connect with other African animation filmmakers who were able to help her refine her project through to the 2018 finals in France.
Ingrid shared her Annecy experience with us, “My Annecy experience was so unexpected. Winning the opportunity to pitch my project there was a huge pleasure but also a real challenge for me. This festival was like a gauge for my project. There were so many and different, great projects coming from all around the world.”
Jerome Soffo Simo, President of Tous’Anime Association & Organizer of CANIMAF in Cameroon, had this to say about his about his experience, “Firstly, the Annecy Pitch Contest taught me that you have to write, draw, structure, and then put together your animation project and that story is the most important part, because, a successful animation is a well-told story. The story will guide you in choosing the style to adopt and the rest will follow.”
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!
Animation du Monde 2020 retourne à DISCOP Abidjan: DISCOP Abidjan, en partenariat avec African Animation Network (AAN), organisera le mois prochain le 3ème concours annuel de pitching Animation du Monde.
L’industrie africaine de l’animation continuant de se développer et en reconnaissance des défis auxquels les créateurs sont confrontés pour pouvoir accéder au marché, l’accent sera mis sur le court métrage et les séries animées.
DISCOP Abidjan est la deuxième des 5 phases préliminaires de l’Animation du Monde panafricaine 2020. A travers l’empreinte de DISCOMICS – une initiative gérée par DISCOP Markets et AAN – et qui comprend des partenariats avec 3 des conventions de la bande dessinée les plus anciennes d’Afrique, AAN accueillera 4 événements préliminaires régionaux à Johannesburg (ICON CGC), Abidjan (DISCOP Abidjan), Lagos (Lagos Comic Con) et Nairobi (Nairobi Comic Con). Parce que nos partenaires cherchent toujours à créer de nouvelles opportunités pour les créateurs à travers l’Afrique, AAN s’est associé au Festival du film d’animation d’Accra (AAFFia) pour ajouter un 5ème tour préliminaire régional.
Les Pitchs MIFA sont sans doute le plus grand forum de pitching d’animation au monde et se déroulent dans le contexte du Festival International du film d’animation d’Annecy et du MIFA (Annecy/MIFA). Un lieu où les cinéastes peuvent célébrer le métier tout en établissant des relations et une compréhension plus profonde de l’industrie. Les candidats ont jusqu’au 17 mai pour soumettre leur projet et peuvent le faire en cliquant ICI.
La mission d’Animation du Monde est de donner aux projets d’animation des industries en développement du monde entier la possibilité de participer au plus haut niveau international lors des Pitchs MIFA. Des pitchs vidéo seront acceptés pour ceux qui ne pourront pas assister à la ronde régionale préliminaire à DISCOP Abidjan. Toutefois, les candidats ayant la possibilité d’assister à l’événement auront la priorité. Le règlement de la compétition peut être consulté ICI.
«La valeur de participer à un concours de pitch comme Animation du Monde va bien au-delà de gagner ou de perdre. Grâce à cela, vous développez des relations, votre confiance pour vendre votre projet et, surtout, la perspicacité des professionnels du secteur ayant des années d’expérience a travers des projets du monde entier », déclare Nick Wilson, Responsable des Projets et du Contenu chez AAN.
Lors des finales Animation du Monde 2018 à Annecy, Ingrid Agbo, du Togo, a assuré la pré-vente de son projet L’arbre à Palimpseste, actuellement en pré-production. Ingrid s’est qualifiée pour son projet via les tournois régionaux 2017 dirigés par AAN au DISCOP Abidjan et a remporté l’une des deux places pour représenter l’Afrique à Annecy/MIFA 2018 via la finale continentale Animation du Monde 2017 au DISCOP Johannesburg. Elle a ainsi pu se connecter à d’autres réalisateurs africains qui ont pu l’aider à peaufiner son projet jusqu’à la finale 2018 en France.
Ingrid a partagé son expérience d’Annecy avec nous: «Mon expérience à Annecy était tellement inattendue. Gagner l’opportunité de présenter mon projet a été un immense plaisir, mais également un véritable défi pour moi. Ce festival était comme une jauge pour mon projet. Il y avait tellement de projets différents venant du monde entier.»
Jerome Soffo Simo, président de l’association Tous’Anime et organisateur de CANIMAF au Cameroun, a partagé son expérience: «Tout d’abord, le concours de pitch d’Annecy m’a appris qu’on doit écrire, dessiner, structurer, puis enfin assembler votre projet d’animation et que le script constitue la partie la plus importante, car une animation réussie est une histoire bien racontée. L’histoire vous guidera dans le choix du style à adopter et le reste suivra.»
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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 | Apr 24, 2019 | Animation News
Animation du Monde 2020 and Pop Culture take center stage at ICON Comics & Games Convention 2019!
In 2018 the African Animation Network (AAN), through its partnership with DISCOP Markets, partnered with Africa’s longest running pop culture events, ICON CGC (South Africa), NAICCON (Kenya), and Lagos Comic Con (Nigeria) to create DISCOMICS. This open network platform’s goal is to create opportunities through which these events can work together to grow and increase opportunities for Africans who create pop culture content. These events, over the past 2 years, have hosted some of the preliminary rounds for the Pan-African animation pitching competition Animation du Monde.
“Pop culture” has made great inroads into mainstream media over the last decade. This in part due to the ways through which the stigma around nerd and geek culture has fallen away. Social media has come to play a big role in this with some of the most popular Instagram accounts belonging to active cosplayers. Animation is a genre that has inspired many a cosplayer. Its role in popularising the subculture is undeniable.
Animation again played a big role at ICON CGC 2019. The event’s 27th edition. This could be seen in almost every facet of the event, from cosplayers dressed as their favourite characters, to some of the entertainment, and panel discussions. This was the backdrop wherein the first of five Pan-African preliminary rounds for Animation du Monde 2020 kicked off.
Over 4,000 people interacted with multiple aspects of ICON CGC over the Easter long weekend, which took place at Emperors Palace. People from various backgrounds and ages shared their love for pop culture through the various events that took place. These included panel discussions around the business aspects of the pop culture phenomenon, as well as a full and frank unpacking of the challenges that the South African and African industry’s built around this genre are facing.
An article by Rob Salkowitz, the author of Comic Con & the Business of Pop Culture, digs deeper into these challenges. Rob also hosted a panel discussion on the role that Africa has to play in the entertainment economy, which includes animation as one of the key components of this changing landscape.
As a Pan-African custodian of the Animation du Monde pitching competition brand, AAN, through a partnership with Annecy Int. Animated Film Fest’ & Market/MIFA, is always looking for opportunities that will empower creatives, and to showcase African talent. The winners of this year’s preliminary rounds will go through to the Continental Final held at DISCOP Johannesburg in late November, where they will be mentored by some of the best in the business.
Some of the most talented African animation creators presented their work both live and through video presentations at ICON CGC. In the end the 3 projects chosen were; Pixel’s Plan by Cate Wood Hunter (South Africa), Into the Odd by Moshood Shades Ridwan (Nigeria), and Flying Low by Sean Steinberg & Sean Braam (South Africa). African storytelling through animation is gaining confidence and whilst these projects are unique and very different they have an authentic African voice.
The Animation du Monde preliminary round was one of 3 international competitions taking place at ICON CGC this year. It included the region final for the World Cosplay Summit (WCS) competition which saw two teams being selected to represent South Africa (and by extension Africa) at WCS held in Nagoya, Japan in both 2019 and 2020. 8 teams competed but in the end it will be KinNeko Cosplay who will attend WCS 2019 and Team BakaYama who will attend in 2020.
These kinds of competitions provide contenders with access to compete on a global stage at the highest level– opportunities that were not available several years ago. It makes it possible for Africa to change the opinion the world has of it. It also means that new audiences are able to appreciate what the continent has to offer. WCS and Animation du Monde are opening doors for creators that were previously only available outside the continent.
The call for the second prelim of the Pan-African Animation du Monde taking place at DISCOP Abidjan is currently open. Francophone Africa has in the past proven it has what it takes to compete internationally. Ingrid Agbo (Togo), a DISCOP Abidjan 2017 semi-finalist, would later go on to win an historic pre-sale at MIFA Pitches 2018 via the Continental Final at DISCOP Johannesburg 2017. Contestants have until the 17th of May 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 DISCOP Abidjan however, candidates who are able to attend the event will be given preference. The competition regulations can be viewed HERE.
We look forward to seeing your project for this leg of the prelims!
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.
