The year 2020 was transformative for many around the world. As the COVID-19 pandemic brought live events to a halt, the Accra Animation Film Festival (AAFFia) faced the challenge of reimagining how to connect with its community. Although in-person gatherings were suspended, the festival quickly pivoted to an online format, launching a vibrant series of Animation Talks and Workshops featuring leading voices in the global animation industry — including Roye Okupe (Writer/Producer/Director, YouNeek Studios), Joshua Leonard (Character Designer/Animator), and Alex Woo (Founder and CEO, KuKu Studios).
Our longstanding partnership with the Encounters Film Festival became a lifeline during this period, allowing us to continue curating and showcasing the best of African animation through the Encounters Online Platform. Despite the global shutdown, we proudly delivered a fully digital edition of AAFFia 2020, ensuring that African animation continued to reach international audiences and inspire new creative connections.