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 –Digital Art/Animation
Where Are the African Scientists?
After asking several kids to give the name of a scientist, founder of Durban-based non-profit Codemakers, Justin Yarrow heard many name Einstein. Whilst being a great mind in the scientific field, Yarrow realised that the kids’ responses showed a narrow minded view of who scientists were and could be.
Desiring to showcase the talent and endeavours of existing African scientists, Yarrow decided to utilise the powerful medium of comic book trading cards.
Teaming up with artists and illustrators including Curtis Bonhomme and Clyde Beech (Supa Strikas, Kwezi Comics), Yarrow created unique trading cards dubbed as SuperScientists.
SuperScientists Inspire Future African Scientists
The SuperScientist trading cards are showing young children that Africans can be scientists too.
Featuring 48 real life South African scientists from diverse fields, the cards share information on the career level, awards and age along with a superhero-like illustration of the scientists.
Check out the cards https://www.superscientists.org/
Used in the same way as traditional trading card games, kids can collect the cards with the aim to assemble a powerful team and beat your rivals. All the while, they gain inspiration and are encouraged that they too can follow their dreams, regardless of where they are from or what they look like.
Ada Animation Had a Bootcamp!
With mentorship and training being unavailable within Kenya and parts of other African countries, Ada Animation has decided to bring a solution to that problem.
Created with the goal to share African stories with the world, the Ada Animation International Bootcamp 2021 is just one of the ways their doing that.
The bootcamp took place in September, 2021 at the Adanian Lab Campus. The participants, hailing from countries such as Zimbabwe, Tanzania and South Africa, had the opportunity to work with Kenya music producer Eric Musyoka and founder of Splinter Studios, Dean Lyon (Lord of the Rings, Armageddon).
Done over the course of four months the bootcamp saw 33 animation students complete the course and submit a 30 sec Public Service Announcement group project at the end.
The bootcamp has contributed to equipping African animators with the tools, skill set and platforms to become high class animators and share their stories with the world.
NEWS BEYOND AFRICA – Gaming/Tech
Epic Games Is Giving Away Tomb Raider!
As part of their 15 days of Free Games Promotion Epic Games has one last game to offer.
Wait…make that three games.
Epic Games has made the entire Tomb Raider trilogy available for download on their page. Gamers interested in snatching up the offer can log onto the Epic Games store and grap Tomb Raider Game of the Year Edition, Rise of the Tomb Raider 20 Year Celebration and Shadow of the Tomb Raider Definitive Edition.
The titles will be available until 6 January 2022.
Check out more https://www.epicgames.com/store/en-US/free-games