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 –Animation/Gaming
Afrika Toons
Based in the Ivory Coast, Afrika Toons is one of the few animation studios in West Africa. As an African animation studio, they are dedicated to remaking stories of African legends through the medium of 3D animation and CGI.
Over the years Afrika Toons have created a number of animation series such as Conte-nour and La Petite Pokou and four feature films, including Pokou, Princess Ashanti.
The leading African 2D/3D animation studio has now recently released a teaser trailer for their next animation feature, Samory.
The Story of Samory
Set in the 1800s, in West Africa, Samory follows the story of a warrior king named Samory Touré as he leads an army of troops in battle against a French General named Borgnis-Desbordes as he sets out to conquer the West African territories.
Check out the teaser trailer here https://youtu.be/1woEvZBBn4Y
Samory is the first in a line up of upcoming films, created by Afrika Toons that will follow the story of great African legends.
Nairobi’s Naota Studios
Naota Studios is the name of a Kenyan based Studio made up of two artists, Lydia Mugure and Tabitha Karaba.
The duo has recently been selected as finalists in the Sony Talent League, a initiative aimed at creators in the digital entertainment industry who are between the age of 18 and 20.
As finalists, Naota Studios stand the chance of stand the chance of winning 10,000 Euros in prize money, a ticket to THU’s main event as well as mentoring and funding for their RPG video game, Kawia’s Adventure.
Kawia’s Adventure
Kawia’s Adventure is a role-playing game set in pre colonial East Africa. In the game, you play as Kawia a young girl ateempting to return home before the sun rises. As Kiwa you cross mysterious plains, fight evil spirits and gain the ability to summon storm and defeat forces of darkness that threaten your homeland.
Naota’s Studios’ Kawia’s Adventure is set to release on PC. Find out more https://gamesindustryafrica.com/2021/02/15/kawias-adventure-steps-onto-the-spotlight/
NEWS BEYOND AFRICA – Entertainment
The Animation Guild Presents Being Black in Animation
On Tuesday,16 February, 7pm PST The Animation Guild (TAG) and Black Artists group will be hosting a free zoom webinar called “Drawing Ourselves: Being Black in Animation”
After the increased racial injustice, including the murder of George Floyd last year The Animation Guild felt the need to host the panel discussion to spotlight and celebrate the work of Black artists in the industry of animation, as well as celebrate Black History Month.
The webinar will feature four highly esteemed black creators including artist Caroline Holliday (Oliver & Company, Marvel’s Spider-man and Friends) , director and producer Ron Myrick, Academy Award winning director, and producer of Netflix original series My Dad the Bounty Hunter, Everet Downing Jr and founder of Clifton House, Sidney Clifton, and will give insight into each of these creators’ journeys and experiences in the world of animation.
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