Photo credit : Animation scoop
The pioneers of African animation are considered to be David and Shlomo Frenkel, two Egyptian brothers, who were reportedly inspired by the first Disney studios 'Mickey Mouse animation. To date, the most successful animated Disney film about Africa is the tremendously popular film The Lion King.
Another pioneer is Michel Ocelot, a French animator who is widely recognized in Francophone countries. Ocelot has directed many short animated films, and his 1998 feature film Kirikou and the sorceress made him a renowned figure in animation.
African animators are using Africa as an inspiration for their animation to tell African stories to broader audiences. Of course, animation also provides an avenue of artistic expression and employment for many creative minds in Africa. Within the last decade, African animation has seen growth in its numbers and a bit more acceptance at festivals and from bigger production studios.
Photo credit : Creele Studios
Creele studio's debut animation "Satchel" bagged the award for Audience Prize Animation; the international award for best independent animated short film edition of the Cannes International Independent Film Festival (CIFF) 2021.
Photo credit : Cartoon Brew
Earlier last year, the Cartoon network ordered its first African Superhero series by Nigerian animator Ridwan Moshood, Set to premiere in Boy and Trash Can is the first superhero animated comedy series to be produced in Africa.
Photo credit : Africa.com
My Cartoon Friend, a South African cartoon created by Lwazi Msipha, debuted this year on American cable television's Cartoon Network.
Photo Credit : Bella Naija
Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is an anthology of 10 African futurist animated shorts from a new wave of animators from the continent that will debut exclusively on Disney+ in late 2022.
African animation has a bright future, a lot of untold stories and talents are untapped. And there's passion and eagerness to learn amongst its creative that wants to be heard. We hope to see more funding for independent animations and partnerships with bigger production companies. And of course more success at international festivals.
Africa is standing up and it's an exciting time to be in animation.
Written by Barida Alawa