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/Digital Art
The Rise of 21st Digital Art
In recent years, artists around the world have been increasingly making use of technology and digital tools to shape the art world. Making use of digital cameras, laptops and tablets, artists are making astounding digital art. And African artists are at the forefront of the new digital innovation; redefining African art.
The Artists Redefining Africa
Some digital artists redefining African art are South African artist and Director of renowned African Digital Innovation Festival, Fakugesi Tegan Bristow, digital artist, Natalie Paneng; Animation and Development artist, Bokang Koatja and Face Filter Artist, Xopher Wallace. And all of them hail from Africa.
Their creations are digital, unique, innovative and distinctly African, and they are paving the way for 21st century art.
Take a look at their work and learn about their creation process below.
Check out more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdemGsGJHNI
Africa’s Growing Mobile Gaming Scene
According to Ekasi Esports’ Creative Director, Perfect Zihali, “Mobile esports and mobile gaming is set to be big in Africa”. And he just may be right. A vibrant competitive mobile gaming scene has been steadily growing within Africa. It’s no wonder as mobile gaming is more accessible for many in the continent who cannot afford high priced gaming consoles or PC’s.
In light of the growing African mobile gaming scene, Ekasi will be hosting their very own mobile gaming tournament!
Ekasi Esports Free Fire Series is Happening Now!
For the next three months, Ekasi Esports will be hosting a weekly Free Fire gaming tournament. The African based tournament will see players standing the chance of winning in-game prizes as well as R500 in prize money.
Registration for the second week of the series is open now and matches are set to begin on the 9th of April, 2021. Register for the tournament here https://ekasiesports.africa/tournaments.php
The final playoffs will begin on the 4th of June, 2021 and end on the 18th of June, 2021.
Find out more https://esportscentral.co.za/battle-royale/ekasi-esports-free-fire-series-announced/
NEWS BEYOND AFRICA – Movies/Entertainment
Yasuke: Japan’s First African Samurai
In the year 1579 an African warrior name Yasuke was said to have arrived in Kyoto, Japan, accompanying an Italian Jesuit named Alessandro Valignano.
Not long after his arrival, Yasuke met non-other than Oda Nobunaga, a Japanese lord and one of Japan’s first unifiers. Impressed by Yasuke’s quick mastery of the Japanese language and his skills, Nobunaga befriended Yasuke and it wasn’t long until Nobunaga had bestowed him with the title of samurai.
Yasuke’s story has since been told by French- Ivorian writer, Serge Bile and award-winning author, Kurusu Yoshio’s in his children’s book Kuro-suke. Now his story will be retold in Netflix’s upcoming animated adaptation!
Yasuke is coming to Netflix!
Entertainment giant, Netflix, has released a poster image and teaser trailer for a brand new anime series titled Yasuke. The series will be a retelling of Japan’s very first African samurai, Yasuke.
After living a life filled with violence, the hero of the story, Yasuke, struggles to pursue a life of peace. But when a local village is caught in the crossfire of war torn Japan, Yasuke must take up his sword to protect a mysterious child from the evil forces.
Check out the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYcK1LQl_Fs
The six episode series will feature award winning actor LaKeith Stanfield and is scheduled to debut on 29 April, 2021.
Check out more https://www.awn.com/news/netflix-unveils-yasuke-teaser-trailer-and-poster