Durban FilmMart duo win Fak’ugesi awards

African animators Lola Aikins and Nkem Nwaturuocha, both alumni of the Durban FilmMart Institute, have won awards at the Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival 2023.

The event took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from September 26 to October 1.

Aikins is a South African 2D animator and visual development artist and her debut short film Naledi tells the story of a star athlete who must confront her overwhelming grief to regain confidence and finish her race.

Nkem is a Nigerian co-founder and creative director of Lagos digital animation house Disrupt DNA. His animated short film The Song Maiden depicts the struggles of a young girl caught between cultural norms, offering a compelling story of resilience and personal growth.

Sharing the news on Instagram, the Durban FilmMart Institute said: “We’re thrilled to share the news that Naledi and The Song Maiden have won the Fak’ugesi Awards 2023 Animation. Congratulations to Lola Aikins and Nkem Nwaturuocha for your outstanding work!”

Fak’ugesi’s festival director Eduardo Cachucho said: “Over the past decade since our inception, we’ve witnessed and celebrated the phenomenal growth of African creativity in the digital space. This year’s nominees showcased an exceptional standard, seamlessly blending multidisciplinary practices with digital creativity to celebrate the richness of African culture.”