African animators selected for Annecy

A group of African animated projects has been selected for the upcoming Annecy International Animation Film Festival (MIFA).

The shows include cartoon series Dem Rats by Ashford Etela; Omenaesan by Omoyefe Majoroh of Blac Onyx Studios; The Song Maiden by Nkem Nwaturuocha; Land of Gods: Òrún by Somto Ajuluchukwu; Monsters We Create by Yetunde Ogundipe; and Àbèké by Tunde Oluwa.

The selected animators are being coached by three French producers to familiarise themselves with international coproduction agreements.

Dem Rats is about the lives of everyday Nigerians and their challenges as seen through the eyes of two rats, while Omenaesan follows a young girl torn between vengeance and salvation.

The Song Maiden is about a young girl whose freedom was cut short at birth because she is betrothed to a leading figure in her village; while Land of Gods: Òrún is an ode to Yoruba religion and mythology, interwoven with fantasy drawn across a wide range of African cultures. Àbèké centres on a girl on a quest to save her tribe.

“Such an amazing opportunity this is. It’s indeed the beginning of a new phase,” said Monsters We Create animator Ogundipe.

“Congratulations to all the animators and producers who got selected! A big thank-you to the community for submitting top-notch projects and sharing information. We look forward to all the awesome Nigerian animation coming soon,” said toon producers’ trade body Animation Nigeria.

MIFA takes place in Annecy, France from June 11 to 17.