AAFFia 2019

The Maiden Accra Animation Film Festival 2019 Was A Triumph for African Animation

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What does animation as an expressive medium look like in Accra and Africa? 
The city of Accra came alive at Basecamp Initiative from July 27th – August 2nd 2019 for a full week of animation and creativity during the maiden edition of the Accra Animation Film Festival (AAFFia). Scores of animation enthusiasts, animators and curious folks trooped to Basecamp Initiative, Accra’s foremost creative co-working hub and major sponsor of the festival to celebrate the beautiful medium that is animation. 
The maiden edition of the Accra Animation Film Festival (AAFFia) packed an extensive program of workshops, masterclasses and presentations as well as hours and hours of animation from all over the world! The screenings were a combination of the winning films of animation festivals across Europe and Africa, the portfolio of The Line Animation, a London based animation studio, a selection of animated ads and a specially curated program of African animation in response to AAFFia’s call for submissions. 
AAFFia received more than 40 submissions for its animated Africa program, causing the program to be split in two.  The highlight of the Animated Africa program was the first screening of the hotly anticipated Malika, a 3D animation short by Anthilll Studios and YouNeek Studios, a comic book company. 

A major highlight of the week-long festival of animation was the Annecy MIFA Pitch competition for the first time in Ghana made possible by the Africa Animation Network. The pitch competition received 21 projects from across the continent, out of which 12 projects made it to the finals. 

The projects that made it to the finals were: 

  • The Tuck by Seriki Toluwalase (Nigeria);
  • I think I might have killed my roommate by Emmanuel Dankyi (Ghana);
  • Lovemaker Boris Kpadenou (Togo);
  • Orombo by Omotunde Akiode (Nigeria);
  • Tales of Nazir by Louis Appiah (Ghana);
  • JuJuCups by Selorm Dogoe (Ghana);
  • Mora Mora by Sitraka Randriamahaly (Madagascar);
  • Message Beats by Natasha Nayo and Lizz Johnson (Ghana);
  • The Fam by Kabelo Maaka (South Africa); and
  • Orange City by Somtochukwu Ajuluchukwu (Nigeria)

Masterclasses and Workshops During AAFFia 2019

Panels & Chat Bubbles by Somto Ajuluchukwu (Nigeria)
Workshop showing the step to step of comic book production process , from concept to print, of Nigeria’s Vortex Studio.
Animation in Music Videos by Roberto Moreno Meikins
Israeli/ Chilean animation director brings his wealth of experience directing video clips, animation series, feature films, commercials and video games
60 Frames per Second by Somto Ajuluchukwu (Nigeria)
Showcasing the Vortex development process of animating using the older project TOWN CRIER and their newly released ORANGE CITY as a case study.
Enter the Vortex by Somto Ajuluchukwu (Nigeria) 
Founder and CEO of Vortex Corp unveils the VORTEX247,  a platform hosting and positioning itself as the Netflix of African comics. 
Acting for Animators by Diana Rosu (AAFFia, Ghana & Romania)
An extensive Workshop looking at how to develop well rounded-characters by enhancing the animator’s acting skills.
Storytelling Foundation by Diana Rosu (AAFFia, Ghana & Romania) 
An insight into the structures and principles of universal storytelling. This Foundation in Storytelling Masterclass gives a taste of our more extended Storytelling Masterclass series and will your first practical tools to become a great storyteller! 
Writing for Children by Precious Bonsu (The Wits School, Ghana)
Best Practices when writing stories for children and child related content.
Women in African Animation by Natasha Nayo (Ghana)
A look through the female lens at African Animation.
Leti Arts Masterclass by Eyram Tawia (Leti Arts, Ghana)
A look at the Ghanaian’s Development Studio, Leti Arts Comic Book Production Process.
Illustrating for Animators by Emmanuel Dankyi (Lime & Honey, Ghana)
Best Practices on how to Illustrate for Animation.
Crossing International Borders by Diana Rosu (AAFFia, Ghana & Romania)
How do you set foot in the international animation industry?