Triggerfish, makers of Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (for Disney+) and Supa Team 4 (for Netflix), has teamed up with UNESCO to launch The Creator Labs, a capacity-building programme tailored specifically for women in animation across Africa.
This collaboration through their Non-profit, TriggerFish Foundation, seeks to address gender disparities in animation. “Through this collaboration with UNESCO, we aim to advance gender equality in animation. By prioritizing leadership positions throughout the pipeline, we’re not only cultivating creativity and innovation but also dismantling obstacles for a more inclusive and diverse industry,” asserts Carina Lücke, the Director of Triggerfish Foundation.
The Creator Labs, open to talents from across Africa, will offer a Director Lab for aspiring directors and an Animation Art Lab for artists. Participants will have access to masterclass sessions led by award-winning industry professionals, small group mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities designed to empower talent in their growth into leadership roles within the animation sector.
According to UNESCO’s publication on the African film sector, the continent’s films and audiovisual industries contribute an estimated $5 billion to the continent’s GDP and employ over 5 million people. However, the report highlights a major gap in education and training that disproportionately affects women and limits their representation in leadership roles within the sector.
Despite these statistics, the animation industry is gaining momentum, led by the pioneering work of women like Ebele Okoye, the first female animator celebrated for her AMAA award-winning film The Legacy of Rubies and her program Anijollygirls, which supports women in animation. Similarly, Damilola Solesi has made notable strides with her globe-trotting short film Hadu, produced through her production company Smids Animation Studios, further advancing the representation of women in the industry.
UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture, Ernesto Ottone R., believes, “Through technical and vocational education in animation production, we’ll contribute to enhancing career opportunities in TV and filmmaking among women.”
The training materials from the labs will be accessible online through the Triggerfish Academy. These materials have been developed under the guidance of award-winning directors and art directors, with contributions from industry professionals such as Caroline Vos (Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire), Cinzia Angelini (Hit Pig!, Mila), and Nadia Darries (Star Wars: Visions Vol. 2).
Applications for the Creator Labs will open on 9 December 2024 and close on 5 January 2025. Online masterclasses and mentoring sessions will take place from March to the end of May 2025. For more details and to apply, visit Triggerfish Academy Creator Labs.
Triggerfish, an acclaimed animation studio, is renowned for producing award-winning films such as Adventures in Zambezia and original TV series like Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (Disney+) and Supa Team 4 (Netflix). They are also behind the short film Aau’s Song for Star Wars: Visions Volume 2. The studio has received numerous accolades, including multiple International Emmys, a BAFTA, and an Oscar nomination.
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