SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN MARKET

BY ANDREA DE AMICIS

2023 is a big, shiny year for Africa’s leading animation studio, Triggerfish Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes, an animated action-adventure series for preschoolers, was released by Hasbro/eOne, streamed on Disney Junior and Disney+ and broadcast on France Télévisions. It continues to be released to global audiences. The show is about a trio of friends that combine their everyday passions with extraordinary powers and teamwork, in the fictional Kimoja City, a city inspired by the sights and sounds of Southern Africa.

May 4th saw the release of the studio’s short film, Aau’s Song, as part of the acclaimed Star Wars: Visions 2 anthology series on Disney+

Another highly anticipated release for Triggerfish is Supa Team 4 (previously Mama K’s Team 4) for Netflix, and co-produced with Cake Entertainment Supa Team 4 is set in the neo-futuristic city of Lusaka, Zambia, where four teenage girls join a retired secret agent on a quest to save the world as undercover superheroes.

Legends of Bulan is an epic Afro-fantasy feature film from Magic Carpet Studios, that combines comics, animation, and Afrocentric themes. Set in the mythical land of Bulan, it envisions an Africa untouched by colonisation, filled with powerful warriors, superhuman heroes, and untold legends.

The mini-series showcases the strength and resilience of the African people, with a captivating storyline that takes audiences through great kingdoms and battles.

The stunning 3D animation brings a richly imagined world to life, featuring intricate landscapes and lifelike characters. From the sweeping vistas of the African savannah to the bustling cities of the great kingdoms, every frame of Legends of Bulan is a work of art, thanks also to seamless motion-capture technology that truly brings the characters to life.

Pixcomm animation studio is based in South Africa and focuses on 2D animation and creating brands for African children, such as the biggest children’s show, Jabu’s Jungle, which is broadcast in several languages and across 40 countries on the continent.

Jabu’s Jungle is negotiating with retail stores across Africa to bring local merchandising and licensing opportunities to African children, as an alternative to imported brands. This has not yet been done in Africa, and offers a huge opportunity to create a ‘new’ industry.

A recently completed new series, Zizi & Hannibal, is another preschool series with a focus on African girls. The series was first broadcast in December 2022, and will be appearing on a range of clothing and accessories, initially in South Africa.

Pixcomm appeared at Animation Production Days (APD), Stuttgart, April 2023, to pitch their ‘coming of age’ animated feature on Nelson Mandela. The rights to produce the animated life story of Nelson Mandela are based on a 200-page graphic novel that was a bestseller internationally and translated into several languages. The opportunity to attend Stuttgart under the banner of APD, ITFS and FMX, allowed the studio to showcase their other animated series in development (Ting Ting, Wildlife Warriors, and The Errors), identifying a number of interested parties.

Since 2017, Johannesburg-based Cabblow Studios has carved out a niche for itself with medical animation. Led by mom & daughter duo –Dr. Tshepo P. Maaka and Kabelo Maaka, the studio specialises in 2D digital animation with a hand-drawn feel and personal stories drive their creativity.

Now that the medical animation machine is well-oiled and running the studio is shifting its focus to entertainment content with their flagship project Rorisang & The Gurlz, a teen/tween series that follows Rorisang, a K-Pop super-fan, on a journey to creating her own AfroPop (African Pop) band with her group of besties at their conservative high school. The Cabblow Studios team has pitched the project at various festivals and markets including the inaugural Stories x Women programme hosted by WIA & FIAPF, MIPJunior 2022 and recently wrapped up Animation Production Days in Stuttgart. With a 360 approach to the Rorisang property, the studio produces a bi-weekly Webtoon and manages Rorisang’s personal Instagram and TikTok accounts - her handle is @rorisaaang. Rorisang’s TikToks have over 7 000 views in just one month of posting. Cabblow Studios is now looking for licensing and merchandising partners for Rorisang & The Gurlz to raise funds for the series.

Rorisang & The Gurlz isn’t the only property from this innovative studio. The studio has 4 other series in development including the heartfelt, yet whacky superhero series The Mom & Daughter Clean Up Crew about a mom and daughter who don’t save the day, but rather save relationships. These characters were also part of a tourism campaign for Cape Town. Regarding the medical animations, they have developed 3 health mascots also available for licensing – Dr. T - a virtual doctor, Nurse Joy and Lesedi, a teen diabetes advocate.