Animations are film sequences containing moving images. There are various types of animation such as 3D, Hand Drawn, Vector, Stop Motion, and Motion Graphics. Animation has created a big impact in the world. It has connected many people globally. Animation helps people tell real societal stories in an easy and unbiased way.
Moreover, it helps people communicate emotions or ideas in a very unique way that children and adults can comprehend. The genre of animation has grown mostly in the western countries and most animated films consist of white characters. However, the African continent has refused to remain behind as it is struggling to promote its animation scene too.
The Story of Ridwan Moshood
Ridwan Moshood is an example of a grass-to-grace person. The 26-year old Nigerian animator was so determined to learn how to create cartoons. As he tells his story, he says that he would go to cyber cafes in the city of Lagos, watch YouTube tutorials and write down whatever he learned. Ridwan is the epitome of self-taught talent and is showing how much potential the African continent has.
The Cartoon Network Africa Creative Lab acknowledged him for his animation film Garbage Boy and Trash Can. A bad experience at school inspired his great cartoon.
He says:
“Garbage Boy is me. People bullied and called me names. I decided to create Garbage Boy as a beacon of hope and forgiveness. And to show others whom people had bullied that those names do not define who you are.”
Ridwan has created a production firm and has the latest cartoon called ‘In My Hood’.
About The Self-Taught Talents
Ridwan’s path to the animation is not unique, as similar stories are all over the African region as Nick Wilson says. Nick Wilson is the founder of the African Animation Network, who is in Jo-burg.
He says:
“Wherever we’ve been able to scratch the surface and connect the community, we’ve found exceptional talent and the majority of this talent is self-taught.”
The stories of self-taught animators getting into the industry are very inspiring. However, the African continent needs to develop more formal training chances or opportunities to increase the number of animators getting into the industry.
Toonz Media Group and Baboon Animation firms are planning to create animation academies in the African continent.
The African Animation Network
The African Animation Network is a talent-driven social enterprise that strives to create a sustainable African animation industry. The African Animation Network’s main goal is to empower African animators by giving support.
The Works of Ng’endo Mukii
Ng’endo Mukii is a Kenyan, Nairobi-based animator. She employs the medium to say very confronting stories. Yellow fever, her film, handles the issue of some African women who use the whitening creams. Her work also covers topics such as smuggling and migration. Besides, her work has gotten many international awards, including the Best Animated Short at the Chicago International Film Festival 7 years ago.
Challenges in the Segment
African animators are facing difficulties when it comes to getting their work on the local screens. The broadcasters prefer foreign content since it is cheaper and more profitable than the local. The African Animation Network wants to solve the issue by starting its television network.
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