Movies, animation, comics, gaming and tech. Want to know what’s happening in Africa and beyond? Here’s the Run Down for this week.
NEWS OUT OF AFRICA – Gaming/Animation
Queen Arrow Makes Forbes Africa 30 Under 30
Sylvia Ganthoni also known as Queen Arrow, has received recognition for her efforts in the gaming space by making Forbes Africa’s 30 Under 30 list.
Queen Arrow is Kenya’s first female gamer and has been acknowledge for putting Kenya on the map and what she represents for other female athletes.
Having started professional gaming when she was 18, Queen Arrow has gone on to strike a partnership with XiT Woundz, get support from Red Bull and get signed as a content creator for America e-sports organisation, UYU.
Check out more https://www.pulselive.co.ke/sports/other-sports/kenyan-gamer-sylvia-gathoni-queen-arrow-makes-it-on-forbes-top-30-under-30-list/8p7dtm2
Blockchain and the Environment
There continues to be a lot of buzz around NFTs, blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, especially as digital artists across the globe leverage all three to showcase and sell their work.
But seeing as blockchain makes uses of cryptocurrency, the mining of which requires large amounts of energy, there have been concerns raised on the impact all this will have on the environment.
Whilst some platforms are yet to find a solution, one South African online marketplace already has.
The Tree, South Africa’s Eco-Friendly NFT Platform
The Tree is an online NFT market place where South African digital artists can sell their work. This eco-friendly platform runs on Polygon blockchain, using only a fraction of the usual power required, and counter balances each transaction by sending money to environmental organisation, Greenpop, that plants trees across Sub-Saharan Africa.
South African artist have been making use of this eco-friendly platform to digitally mint their art and hang them in the Metaverse. As they do, they also positively impact the environment.
Check out more https://youtu.be/60wF95z-dNU
NEWS BEYOND AFRICA – Animation/Entertainment
Yamina: The African Warrior Princess
Canadian- based studio, Maku Productions, is currently working on an original animated film titled Yamina: African Warrior Princess.
The film follows the story of a young African princess who grows up to become a fearless warrior Queen who defies odds and stands against invaders of her land.
Watch the teaser trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq6vfV-QlEE
No release date has been announced but the film has been promised to be “coming soon.”
Check out more on Instagram @maku.productions
Kid Cudi Enters the Animation Space With Entergalatic
Music artist, Kid Cudi has teamed up with writer Kenya Barris (black-ish, grown-ish) for a brand new original, adult animated series called Entergalatic.
Set in New York, Entergalactic, follows the story of young artist, Jabari, as he attempts to balance love and success. His success draws him closer to the former when he moves into his dream apartment and meets his new neighbour, photographer it-girl, Meadow.
Watch the trailer https://youtu.be/T9vnzySyj0I
Jabari is voiced by Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, Meadow is voiced by Jessica Williams as and other voice talent includes Timothée Chalamet, Ty Dolla $ign and Vanessa Hudgens.
The animated series will also be coupled with a musical album and both will be released sometime in June 2022.
Find out more https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/netflix-geeked-week-animation-showcase-updating/