Tag Archives: Gert Botes

Discop targets African animation

Market organiser Discop has partnered with a network of animators to set up an initiative designed to support and grow the African animation industry.

Ayodele Elegba

Discomics has been formed by Discop with The African Animation Network, which links various animation professionals and national associations across Africa.

Discomics will debut as an event alongside Discop’s forthcoming markets in Abidjan, Zanzibar, Johannesburg and featuring workshops, panel discussions and masterclasses, said Gert Botes, conference and events director at Discop Markets. Discop is also planning a TV conference and market in Lagos in 2019 as well.

Discop and The African Animation Network have already set up strategic partnerships between Discomics and Lagos Comic Con (LCC), Nairobi Comic Con (NAICCON) and Icon Comics & Games Convention (CGC) to raise awareness around the initiative.

The agreement will see Nigerian animator Ayodele Elegba, founder of LCC and CEO of Lagos-based Spoof Animation, join Discomics as head of comics; Thomas Imboywa, founder of NAICCON, join as head of gaming and eSports; and Les Allen, director of Icon CGC, join as head of business development.

Nick Wilson, head of projects at The African Animation Network, said: “At a top level, Discomics serves as an open network platform, accelerator and bridge.

“But, at its core, Discomics is focused on localisation, engaging with local entrepreneurs, building those entrepreneurs and their industries and creating pan-African platforms for local talent to be empowered and become self-sustaining.”

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