large_funso-sylvester-dorgu.jpg

medium_funso-sylvester-dorgu.jpg

small_funso-sylvester-dorgu.jpg

thumbnail_funso-sylvester-dorgu.jpg

funso-sylvester-dorgu.jpg

Femi Osewa from CGAfrica joins GridMarkets on January 18 to introduce CGAfrica and its mission to showcase African Artists.<a href="https://www.gridmarkets.com/webinar-cgafrica" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Watch Webinar here</a><div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ssy_RP_lUAA" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><h2>Featured Artists</h2><h3>Sylvester Dorgu</h3>Sylvester Dorgu is a 3d character Artist. His attention to detail breeds life into his creations. He likes to push the most sophisticated software out there to its limits. Sylvester is a gifted self-taught artist whose work is truly captivating.&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="1870" height="762" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B85ZMFDGaVs" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><figure class="image"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/funso_sylvester_dorgu_hmm_8d2e55ae69.jpg"><figcaption>Artwork by Sylvester Dorgu</figcaption></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/d568c4bd887cc8a98df3946f9bbc6ad8_508748559a.jpg"><figcaption>Artwork by Sylvester Dorgu</figcaption></figure><h3>Adewale Abdulkabir</h3>Adewale Abdulkabir is the 3D Artist/Tech for the <a href="" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Africacomicade</a>. He is an experienced 3D Model Artist with a demonstrated history of working in the design/animation industry in Africa.<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Teenager_Room_HD_7867f549a0.jpg"><figcaption>Image by Adewale</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:75%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Library_HD_1_e0461ed210.jpg"><figcaption>Image by Adewale</figcaption></figure><figure class="image"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Post_Production_Render_848541cdf2_9fa039a2ba.jpg"></figure>

Femi Osewa from CGAfrica joins GridMarkets on January 18 to introduce CGAfrica and its mission to showcase African Artists.  

WEBINAR: CGAfrica speaks with GridMarkets to showcase some African talents

large_Chosing-your-First-3D-Software.jpg

medium_Chosing-your-First-3D-Software.jpg

small_Chosing-your-First-3D-Software.jpg

thumbnail_Chosing-your-First-3D-Software.jpg

Chosing-your-First-3D-Software.jpg

So, you have decided to join the 3D artist ranks and conquer the world with your unrivalled artistic brilliance. Well, let me be the first one to welcome you to the war, and it’s literally an ongoing war amongst the software developers and between the artists to snag the few but desired jobs available.Let me be clear right at the beginning. There is no software that will automatically give you a quick and easy route in developing the skills needed to become a prolific artist, it takes time and focus to master your talents and expand your expertise.But where do you begin, how do you choose your first 3D software? There are so many options available these days that it can be both confusing and difficult to choose the right one for now and the future. There are several 3D suites built specifically for anatomy, architectural design or product design, if you are going for any of these your options will be considerably reduced.&nbsp;If you have bigger ambitions though and you have your eyes set on ‘Hollywood standard’ CG, you need an all-purpose package&nbsp;and that’s where things get a bit more complicated. Let’s consider some popular 3D tools available.Some popular 3D toolsThe 3D industry seems to be dominated by Autodesk and their two flagships: 3ds Max and Maya and with good reason. These two software seems to have been around forever (early history dating back to the 1980s) and their deep foundations give the user both a solid variety of tools to use and a vast knowledge base to learn from. Just beneath these titans, you will find the smaller 3D software packages which seem to do the same thing the high-end tools does but at a lower cost and they seem to only get better for each new release. At the very low end of the spectrum are the free software packages (which can`t possibly be as good, right?-we will soon find out) So which one should I choose?The Industry standard- High-end tools (3ds Max &amp; Maya)One of the reasons why the larger software packages like Maya and 3ds Max come with such a high price tag is because of the way they are built to help streamline large production jobs with even larger teams. They do pretty much everything you need them to do from conceptualization, modelling, animation to rendering, and with a little scripting knowledge, their capability can further be increased. Many production companies rely on their capability to create stunning imagery in blockbusters and TV commercials. Blockbuster movies like The Amazing spider man and the Lord of the rings series are just a few that are made with Maya and 3ds Max respectively.Pros:&nbsp;Robust application, capable of handling all stages of production; Capability is expandable with scripting; Vast knowledgebase and tutorials are availableCons:&nbsp;High price tag- unfordable for small production studios and independent artists.The medium-priced packagesThe medium-priced packages like Cinema4D or Softimage do much of the same things as the high-end packages; it handles modelling, texturing, animation and rendering very well. With third party rendering engines such as V ray, the capability of these tools can be greatly improved. These packages are a great option for smaller companies and independent artists who want to keep it small but create professional and impressive 3D solutions.Pros:&nbsp;Affordable price tag, robust capabilitiesCons:&nbsp;Relies heavily on third-party plugins, moderate knowledgebaseThe free software or open-source (Blender)The free software packages might seem to be a good learning tool and a starting point to see if 3D is what you imagined it to be or if a career in CGI is the right choice for your future. But be warned, most of these packages come with a high learning curve and clumsy user interfaces. Since they are open source, new users need to consider carefully the risk of developers withdrawing support for these applications. Will open-source software be still available in 5 years time; Hopefully, most of them will, but without proper funding and a solid business plan the future looks bleak for most of them. In a short period of time, your acquired knowledge might become obsolete. It’s interesting though that a large group of&nbsp;<a href="http://cgafrica.com/feature/project-gooseberry/">fans are making a full animated film using blender</a>.Pros: Software is freeCons:&nbsp;Steep learning curve, thin knowledgebase, risk of discontinuity by developers&nbsp;Blender is a novel idea, and although used by many independent artists it’s not at this time advisable for someone seeking to pursue a career in the cg worldSo which should I choose?&nbsp;As a newcomer to the industry, don`t fall into the trap of jumping into a specialized piece of software as few will hire you unless you have basic knowledge of all the aspects of 3d production.&nbsp;You might be brilliant in character creation and a master to model and texture, but you also might need to know how the rigging or complex UV mapping works to do your job properly.Specialized software is primarily meant for artists with experience and with a minimum knowledge of the basics of 3D production. We will take a closer look at these types of software in later tutorials.&nbsp;ConclusionIt`s all about where you want to be in 5 or 10 years. You are most likely not going to show up to work on the first day of your dream job and find the blender icon on your desktop, it will most likely be something like Max, Maya or Cinama4D,&nbsp;so if you want a serious career in the CG world you should start with one of the heavies as soon as you feel ready and stick with it until you are comfortable with all of its aspects and ready to take on the world with your artworks. If you want to be an independent CG artist by all means go for the software you feel is right for you and your wallet. I know many who work entirely on free software and produce magnificent pieces of art, but they have all aged an extra 10 years by frustration, so consider yourself warned. If you are planning on enrolling in a school and getting educated as a CGI designer or artist the software has already been chosen for you (by the school) which makes things a bit easier.If you are planning to enrol in a training school, you will have access to a free student version, however, you need to prove that you are indeed a student and the education provider needs to be accepted as a proper college or certified to teach the software.So, my final advice is this. Do your research, download the software trials and make up your own mind. The truth is they all do pretty much the same thing, just in different ways and with different user interfaces, so it`s all about familiar workflow and what UI speaks to you and what software has an intuitive feel that you can relate to. And most importantly, try to imagine where you are in 10 years and choose accordingly.

So, you have decided to join the 3D artist ranks and conquer the world with your unrivalled artistic brilliance. Well, let me be the first one to welcome you to the war, and it’s literally an ongoing war amongst the software developers and between the artists to snag the few but desired jobs available.

Chosing-your-First-3D-Software-Mobile.jpg

small_Chosing-your-First-3D-Software-Mobile.jpg

thumbnail_Chosing-your-First-3D-Software-Mobile.jpg

Choosing Your First 3D Software

cgafrica-sidney-kombo-animation-africa.jpg

large_cgafrica-sidney-kombo-animation-africa.jpg

medium_cgafrica-sidney-kombo-animation-africa.jpg

small_cgafrica-sidney-kombo-animation-africa.jpg

thumbnail_cgafrica-sidney-kombo-animation-africa.jpg

Sidney Kombo, Animation supervisor at Weta Digital discuss the making of the war for the planets of the Apes.&nbsp;For Congo-born animator <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sidney-kombo-baab421a/">Sidney Kombo</a> however, both the dream and his own animations truly have come to life in such blockbuster movie franchises as the Avengers, Planet of the Apes, and Paddington, to name just a few. &nbsp;&nbsp; In what was a lively and free-flowing exchange of questions and commentary, complete with questions from you, our amazing CG Africa audience and friends, we were recently blessed to spend time chatting (and laughing!) with Sidney.&nbsp;The result? This video is exclusive for you to enjoy at your leisure.&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed">
 <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w_jtxYha0KM?rel=0&amp;modestbranding=1" title="CGAfrica Player" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</div>

Sidney Kombo, Animation supervisor at Weta Digital discuss the making of the war for the planets of the Apes. 

cgafrica-sidney-kombo-animation-africa-mobile.jpg

medium_cgafrica-sidney-kombo-animation-africa-mobile.jpg

small_cgafrica-sidney-kombo-animation-africa-mobile.jpg

thumbnail_cgafrica-sidney-kombo-animation-africa-mobile.jpg

Making of The War for The Planets of The Apes

Top-5-animation-studios-in-Africa-Banner.jpg

large_Top-5-animation-studios-in-Africa-Banner.jpg

medium_Top-5-animation-studios-in-Africa-Banner.jpg

small_Top-5-animation-studios-in-Africa-Banner.jpg

thumbnail_Top-5-animation-studios-in-Africa-Banner.jpg

Animation studios in Africa are breaking through the digital scenery of the cinematic world today. These African animation studios are being noticed by films and tv giants like Netflix and Disney, a feat that not only involves a lot of hard work, grit, and creativity but tons of ingenuity too. Digital artists in Africa persistently learn and collaborate to level up their games into the creative space.&nbsp;&nbsp;Despite the pandemic, the African pool of talented animators and artists received accolades worldwide as they are striving, to show to the world the grassroots stories and talents of Africa.&nbsp;Various animation studios emerged as the demands for animation post-Covid continuously grows.&nbsp; Whatever region you are in in the world., you would surely find an animation studio that would suit your project needs and demands.&nbsp;&nbsp;Here at CG Africa, we present our top 5 most promising animation studios in Africa, where the magic of animation happens.&nbsp;<figure class="table"><table style="background-color:transparent;border-style:solid;"><tbody><tr><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Studio&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">CEO/ Owner&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Animation Projects&nbsp;&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Triggerfish&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Stuart Forrest&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Khumba, Zambesia&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Luma Animation&nbsp;&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Paul Meyer /&nbsp; Gerhard Painter&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Headspace, MeerKAt Visualization Project&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Magic Carpet Studios&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Ferdy ‘Ladi&nbsp; Adimefe&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Passport of Malliam Ilia&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Maan Creative&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Johan Scheepers &nbsp;/ Michael Clark&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">My Better World&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Orange VFX&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">Oboh Richard&nbsp;</td><td style="background-color:hsl(0, 0%, 90%);border-style:solid;border-width:0.1px;padding:10px;width:500px;">STV Ultimate Love TV Commercial (2020) DSTV step up and boost ad (2019)&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table></figure><h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Triggerfish Animation Studios&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>The Triggerfish animation studio is a leading animation studio in Africa. They had produced award-winning projects that gets the attention of animation giants. Recently, they received the 2021 Mifa Animation Industry Award during Annecy International Animation Festival. While Stickman was awarded the Cristal Awards for Best TV Production in 2016, to name a few.&nbsp;<figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Triggerfish_Animation_Studios_Logo_ab923f646f.jpg" alt="triggerfish animation studios logo"><figcaption>Image from Triggerfish Animation Studios</figcaption></figure>The 103-manned African animation studio is pushing to be the best 3D animation and CG studio in the land, if not of the world. No wonder Disney, Disney plus and Netflix will have Khumba, Mama K’s Team of 4&nbsp; on the line soon.&nbsp;Yet, even with the global accolades received by Triggerfish, its CEO Stuart Forrest, believes that the studio is still in its infancy stage. Needless to say, a lot more is to be undertaken. As every production is a vision of people’s creativity and inspiration.&nbsp;&nbsp;In one of his interviews, Forrest emphasized the role rendered by people. It takes the collaboration of ideas and creativity to come up with a piece of art-the animation.&nbsp;Thus, he constantly supports and encourages aspiring artists to bold. Talents and creativity have no boundary it only needs to be expressed. To support talents, Triggerfish is one of the sponsors of CG Africa’s ongoing <a href="https://www.cgafrica.com/challenge/cg-africa-2022-a-2-d-drawing-of-legend-of-shango-the-third-emperor-competition" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">competition</a>.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Luma Animation&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Luma_AVBOB_Sunbird_Baobab_Flower_Low_Res_copy_a94bbdec5b.jpg" alt="Luma_AVBOB_Sunbird_Baobab_Flower_Low_Res-copy"><figcaption>Image from www.screenafrica.com</figcaption></figure>Prided themselves as a well-established CG and animation company in South Africa. One of their prominent projects was the MeerKAT (Karoo Array Telescope) project- 90-second promo documentation intended for the World Scientific Convention in Canada.&nbsp;&nbsp;A few years ago, Luma Animation studio has already penetrated the US through 30-second tv ads for Kemps.&nbsp;Considered by Luma animation’s CEO Peter Meyer as their most technical and artistic work, the AVOB centenary tv commercial was an awe-inspiring accomplishment by them. The 60-second vid showed how computer graphics imagery were masterfully utilized to arrive at the desired effect fit for a 100-year celebration.&nbsp;&nbsp;Their current project Headspace will be out soon, in collaboration with SC International Films and The Ergo Company.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;text-align:justify;">Magic Carpet Studios&nbsp;</h2>Animation and CG enthusiasts refer to this studio as the Disney of Africa. Located in Lekki, Nigeria, Magic Carpet Studios is one of the forerunners of the animation niche in the digital industry of Africa.Established in 2016, they specialize in 2D animation now venturing to 3D too, and gaming as well. Their talents and artists are being outsourced to do animation projects.&nbsp;Cited the 21st century Africa’s year of storytelling, Magic Carpet Studios is very excited to conquer the world of animation and computer graphics of Africa.For them, it is through animation that Africa could relay its vast culture and story.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">MAAN Creative &nbsp;</h2><figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/my_better_world1_a498b99490.jpg" alt="animation of a girl"><figcaption>Image from bbc.com</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;An animation studio based in Johannesburg, South Africa, MAAN Creative finds 2D animation and stop motion more engaging than any other niche. MAAN Creative pursued to become the best in their region.In partnership with Fundi Films, MAAN creative did not falter in delivering a compelling animation of the story of the lives of six African teenagers as they faced the different ordeals of African life in My Better World.&nbsp;My Better World is gaining the top spot in tv shows in Kenya, and a nomination in the prestigious animation showdown- the Annecy Internationa Animation Film Festival.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Orange VFX&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Located in Lagos, Nigeria, Orange VFX prided itself on providing the best animation and 3D services for a price that its clients would find reasonable, with its mission to inspire and uplift Africa.&nbsp;<figure class="image image-style-align-left image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Orange_VFX_Logo_new_38f93e2500.jpg"><figcaption>Image from OrangeVFX</figcaption></figure>A two-time winner in LIFANIMA (Lagos International Festival of Animation), another prestigious African Animation Festivals. They won the 2020 Best Animation Commercial as well as the 2019 Best Animation Commercial in the said contest.&nbsp;With a vision to empower the next generation of animators and digital artists, and initiative-Orange Seed was launched by the company. Orange Seed aimed to train 1000 youth to become competent digital content creators of Africa, a movement that would really bring a bright future for the young people.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Conclusion&nbsp;</h2>Animation studios in Africa have come a long way and are started to be noticed globally. Although these studios have more to learn, at this point in time they had already proven that:&nbsp;<ul><li>African animation studios could compete with the world’s more known animation giants</li><li>Almost each of these studios has projects that are currently promoted in other countries</li><li>Animation studios in Africa are consciously aware of their roles in promoting to the world the richness of African culture and ingenuity.</li></ul>Given a fair playing field, animation studios in Africa could surely deliver a rich and extensive project that would unravel the opulent resources Africa has.&nbsp;How about you, which other animation studio would you include in the list? Let us know about it in the comments below.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Animation studios in Africa grew rapidly, as well as the numbers of skilled artists, animators in the CG and animation industry.

small_Top-5-animation-studios-in-Africa.jpg

thumbnail_Top-5-animation-studios-in-Africa.jpg

Top-5-animation-studios-in-Africa.jpg

The Top 5 Most Promising Animation Studios in Africa 

5-best-animated-movies-in-africa-banner.jpg

large_5-best-animated-movies-in-africa-banner.jpg

medium_5-best-animated-movies-in-africa-banner.jpg

small_5-best-animated-movies-in-africa-banner.jpg

thumbnail_5-best-animated-movies-in-africa-banner.jpg

Pixar, Disney, and Dreamworks- you probably have watched at least one featured movie from these animation powerhouses. Perhaps, you have seen The Lion King, Tarzan, and Madagascar…yes, these movie animations have one thing in common -their setting was the wonderful wilderness of Africa. &nbsp;But there’s more to this rich continent than savannas and safaris.&nbsp;&nbsp;Indeed, as an emerging animation hub of the world, Africa has a lot more to offer. For the past ten years, animated movies in Africa are deliberately being celebrated in the region.Little by little, <a href="https://www.cgafrica.com/article/the-top-5-most-promising-animation-studios-in-africa" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">African animation studios </a>are recognized all over the world, their animators are sought after for their skills and endless pursuit to be the best. Not an easy task though. &nbsp;Despite the many constraints, African animation is hoisted to successfully conquer the world of featured films. Here is a taste of the irresistible servings of the 5 best animation movies of Africa:&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters&nbsp;</h2><figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/LBMM_f6c5e2f5aa.jpg"><figcaption>Image from techpoint.africa</figcaption></figure>Simply known as LBMM of Hot Ticket Productions, Winner of the 2021 Africa Movie Academy Awards.&nbsp;This pre- pandemic animation is the first feature-length 3D animated movie from Nigerian Cinematic, dubbed as Nollywood. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Since its debut in Lekki, Lagos in December 2020, it has stirred the African animation movies industry and has been under the scrutiny and reviews of critics and fans alike. &nbsp;LBMM is a feel-good, family-oriented movie that follows the tale of an inquisitive, precocious young girl, Bukky, in a series of adventures in an unfamiliar territory, where she met strange characters.<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Queen Malika: Warrior Queen&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Thanks to YouTube, I was able to watch this next-on-the-list animated film with no hassle at all. A 15- minute short animated movie published by Youneek Studios. To date, it has more than 700K views since its release two years ago.&nbsp;&nbsp;Queen Malika was inspired by the story of a warrior queen, Queen Amina, a 16th Century ruler who reigned over parts of Northwest Nigeria. An exceptional leader whose struggles revolve around keeping her kingdom intact and safe from enemies in the fifteenth century.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;One of the film’s major achievements was when it emerged as the winner in Los Angeles Independent Film Festival Awards for the best animated short movie category last July 2019.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;Fans worldwide are eagerly waiting for the sequel of this short animated African movie.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Zambesia&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>About a decade ago (2012), the first animated movie from Africa’s leading animation studio, Triggerfish Animation Studios, was released by Cinema Management Group and Sony Pictures Entertainment.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Zambesia_0b1e4c919f.jpg"><figcaption>Image from imdb.com</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff Goldblum is some of the voices of this successful and award-winning animated film, about the story of a young falcon named Kai.&nbsp;Despite the restrictions from his father Tendai (Samuel L. Jackson), Kai discovers himself as he finds out the importance of family, friendship, and teamwork to solve whatever problems that arise.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some of its recognition were: Best South African Feature Film in 2012 Durban International Film Festival and the Best Animation at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards.<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Mark of Uru&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Released when African animation movies weren’t as much it is today, this film touched the worldwide issue of discrimination, of acceptance for one’s being.&nbsp;Azuka was born with a peculiar birthmark, the cause of her tribulations. Despite her mother’s effort to conceal it, she did not succeed. Azuka must find ways to free herself from the imminent danger posed by some patches on her skin.&nbsp;&nbsp;A first of its own, this web-based animated series was released in 2009 and continued to be watched by viewers worldwide. Despite its limitations, still, this movie has shown what a great culture and folklore could become when combined with computer graphics and animation.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Produced by Mayhem Productions.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">The Passport of Mallam Ilia&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>This last but not least item on our list has not been fully released yet. But I believed it is worth waiting for and worth a spot on our 5 best-animated movies in Africa.&nbsp;Alright, there might be some bias here but I just can’t help it. Perhaps because the film is based on a popular African novel by Cyprian Ekwensi , maybe because it features the universal theme of love, vengeance, and conquest or it could be that I found its teaser incredibly amazing…&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image image-style-align-center"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Passport_of_Mallam_Ilia_Magic_Carpet_Studios_c614969aa6.jpg" alt="Passport-of-Mallam-Ilia_-Magic-Carpet-Studios"><figcaption>&nbsp;Image from Youneekstudio.com</figcaption></figure>&nbsp;I could not pinpoint the exact reason though, but this featured film from Magic Carpet Studios is something that we could look forward to and deserved a slot here.&nbsp;&nbsp;A truly ingenious manner to bridge the older books generation with the digital youth of today through the art of animation.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Conclusion</h2>Africa has a lot to offer. The developing animation industry has already proven itself that it can be at par with other animation studios in the world yet uniquely African;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>The African animated movies have reached a worldwide audience;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>It is a great avenue to showcase African rich culture to the world;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>African Animation has proven to send a universal message of love, family, friendship, and camaraderie to its viewers.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>&nbsp;</li></ul>Again, there could be no better way to present the African way of life and culture to the world than through animation by African animators.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;List down your best bets too, in the comments below.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Recognition of the emerging African animation industry could be felt worldwide. Unique African culture, story, and style combined with great animation and you have an amazing film worth watching for.  Read here to know the 5 best animated movies in Africa. 

large_5-best-animated-movies-in-africa.jpg

medium_5-best-animated-movies-in-africa.jpg

small_5-best-animated-movies-in-africa.jpg

thumbnail_5-best-animated-movies-in-africa.jpg

5-best-animated-movies-in-africa.jpg

5 Best Animated Movies in Africa

CGAfrica 2022: A 2D Drawing Of Legend Of Shango - The Third Emperor Competition

large_Header-banner.jpg

medium_Header-banner.jpg

small_Header-banner.jpg

thumbnail_Header-banner.jpg

Header-banner.jpg

We are excited to announce the winner of the CGAfrica Competition 2022 themed ‘The Legend of Sango – The Third Emperor’ which is sponsored by <a href="https://www.triggerfish.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Triggerfish Animation</a>, <a href="https://www.dnablock.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">DNABlocks</a>, <a href="https://www.foundry.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Foundry</a>, <a href="http://blur.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Blur Studio</a> and <a href="https://www.framestore.com/?language=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Framestore</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="100%" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-_iZIZnIQpk" <="" iframe=""></iframe></div>&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>First Place</h2>The first-place winner is&nbsp;Ibrahim Idris<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Winner_Post_insta1_4894a10465.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/cgafrica_sango_winner_f286e6a28c.jpeg"></figure><h2>Second Place</h2>The second-place winner is Folashade Adeshida<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/2_Nd_Winner_Post_insta1_8af5c0b09f.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/thumb_6_96e92042cf.jpeg"></figure>&nbsp;<h2>Third Place</h2>The third-place winner is Quadri Ayinde<figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/3rd_Winner_Post_insta1_4922ba0937.jpg"></figure><figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:100%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/thumb_7_c0cee73c0b.jpeg"></figure>Thank you to all the participants and sponsors for the first edition of the CGAfrica challenge. It was a stiff competition, and we were looking forward to seeing various submissions with historical details. We look forward to hosting more competitions that will feature improved entries and more historical details.&nbsp;If you’d like to receive a notification when this contest re-opens for entries, you can subscribe for updates <a href="http://newsletter.cgafrica.com/subscription?f=mklv6YI7E9gCTuC2JUHW3XfTlVMSwMtq8m2gmHR7MjFU1gM2NicUGAyQlHJwSOkE7IwZaRFypjW6ZMWtpI5cYg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>&nbsp;

We are excited to announce the winner of the CGAfrica Competition 2022 themed ‘The Legend of Sango – The Third Emperor’ which is sponsored by Triggerfish Animation, DNABlocks, Foundry, Blur Studio and Framestore.

CGAfrica Competition 2022: Legend Of Shango - The Third Emperor Winners Announced

thumbnail_Header-banner-mobile.jpg

Header-banner-mobile.jpg

thumbnail_Header-thumbnails-mobile.jpg

Header-thumbnails-mobile.jpg

CGAfrica Competition 2022: Legend Of Shango - The Third Emperor  Winners Announced

Mukalazi Raymond Andrew: Consistency and Discipline is the Key to Animation

large_MukalaziRaymond-website banner-version 1- (photo+text).jpg

medium_MukalaziRaymond-website banner-version 1- (photo+text).jpg

small_MukalaziRaymond-website banner-version 1- (photo+text).jpg

thumbnail_MukalaziRaymond-website banner-version 1- (photo+text).jpg

MukalaziRaymond-website banner-version 1- (photo+text).jpg

BTS- behind the scenes of the booming animation industry of Africa are -its Animators. They are the great artists who rendered incredible talents and skills to come up with a masterpiece worth watching.&nbsp;By 2030, the animation industry worldwide is expected to be a 600-billion-dollar industry. Thus, what could be the best time to learn animation than today. &nbsp;We have seen a few young and budding animation artists evolve as they master their craft here in CG Africa.In this article, we present to you <a href="https://www.cgafrica.com/profile/mukalazi" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mukalazi Raymond Andrew</a>.Mukray, as fondly called by friends' hails from Kampala, Uganda. At 24 years of age, he doesn’t leave his eyes on his goal. Rather, he stays unfailing, despite the obstacles he encountered along the journey to becoming a top-notch animator not only of Africa but of the world as well.<h2>So, how did you learn animation?&nbsp;</h2>I went to Artfield Institute of Design Kampala, Uganda, where I graduated in 3D Animation and Digital Media design.<h2>Do you have some example tutorials you watched?</h2>I started with the tutorial attached below. It really helped me understand all the basics in 3d production. When I understood the basics, I moved on to much more complex ones, But I believe understanding the basics properly is key to moving onward to much more complicated things.<div class="raw-html-embed"><iframe width="100%" height="800" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tElsku3aKQI">
</iframe></div><h2>Where do you get your inspiration from?&nbsp;</h2>I get most of my inspiration from media that I consume, be it movies, animation, Pinterest, art stations, anime, or video games. I believe you are what you consume, so I try to follow a lot of creative people online and consume as much art as possible.<h2>What challenges have you met in becoming an animator?</h2>Long and tiresome nights, 3d animation takes a lot of time and patience that might not seem worth it at first, but in the end, it most definitely is.<h2>What are your aspirations with the industry?</h2>Well, I love making 3D art, animation, and storytelling, and honestly, it's this love and passion that drives me to make art every day. Africa is a very rich and unexplored continent story-wise with over 3000 tribes, with so much culture and stories that could be told and preserved for the future through storytelling digital media like Animation.&nbsp;<h2>What can you say about your first posted work?</h2><figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/thumb_1_ce7c208361.jpeg"></figure>Honestly, it's surprising how much my 3d design has grown. As an artist, you're always trying to push the boundary and grow into a better version of yourself so I am very proud of myself and hope to grow even more over the years. Learning as a 3d artist never stops because technology is always getting better and changing.<a href="https://www.cgafrica.com/gallery/character-design-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">See more</a><h2>What has influenced your improvement?&nbsp;</h2>Consistency, tons of tutorials, and hours of practice. The school will as well help introduce you to a concept and give you a conducive environment to develop, but without discipline and hours of practice to own your craft, you won't improve.<h2>What can you say about your recent works?</h2><figure class="image image-style-align-center image_resized" style="width:50%;"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/thumb_1_90439d6f00.jpeg"></figure>Was trying to create a Chibi semi-realistic self-portrait and I love the outcome, there are tons of things I could have done better but I'm proud of it.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cgafrica.com/gallery/xtie-character-design" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">See more</a><h2>Are you planning to continue working as a character &nbsp;Design and Modelling?&nbsp;</h2>Of course. I have dedicated my whole life to animation as an art form, it’s something I am very passionate about and I believe it's my purpose in life.<h2>What would be your advice to newbies in animation? (especially for African animators)&nbsp;</h2>Practice and consistency are key to mastering anything. Never give up on your ambitions however steep they may be. And lastly, learn about the business side of art, especially if you plan to be a freelancer.

Mukalazi Raymond Andrew:  Consistency and Discipline is the Key to Animation: By 2030, the animation industry worldwide is expected to be a 600-billion-dollar industry. Thus, what could be the best time to learn animation than today. 

medium_IG Post - My Journy - mukalazi raymond.jpg

small_IG Post - My Journy - mukalazi raymond.jpg

thumbnail_IG Post - My Journy - mukalazi raymond.jpg

IG Post - My Journy - mukalazi raymond.jpg

Mukalazi Raymond Andrew:  Consistency and discipline is the key to Animation

large_Gamma1920.jpg

medium_Gamma1920.jpg

small_Gamma1920.jpg

thumbnail_Gamma1920.jpg

Gamma1920.jpg

The Africacomicade Gamathon is a hybrid event focused on highlighting the works of African Digital creatives, connecting them to opportunities, and hosting conversations relevant to the growth of the industry. The Gamathon is more than a convention. It is a direct approach to building the Game and Digital Media industry in Africa through community, entrepreneurship, and collaboration.&nbsp;This year's theme is “Sustainable creativity”.&nbsp;Very little is known about the African digital creative industry in games, animation, comics, and XR.&nbsp;Africacomicade launched the Gamathon as an opportunity to spotlight creatives and their projects as well as provide a platform for them to connect with opportunities for learning, collaboration, and funding. Since its inception in 2020, the Gamathon has brought together stakeholders from across the globe and partnered with top global organizations in the industry like STEAM, Unity, Xbox, Rovio, Carry1st, IGDA Foundation, Humble Bundle, and Jiwe Studio, to host workshops, masterclasses, fireside chats, and more, to build a sustainable creative industry.&nbsp;Returning for its third year this September 19 - 24, 2022, the Gamathon will be building upon its successes and learnings to deliver a unique program that focuses on supporting local stakeholders and connecting them to opportunities from across the globe.&nbsp;It features a game jam, pitch competition, short film screening, virtual exhibitions, lots of workshops, talks, and a physical expo. The Gaming and entertainment industry has been acknowledged as a tool for youth empowerment and socio-economic development ( The Video games industry in Africa is said to be worth $590 million in 2021).&nbsp;The Gamathon aims to provide access to relevant stakeholders and foster collaboration for the development of both the local and international markets. To learn more about the event and to stay updated on all the activities to be expected, visit www.africacomicade.org/gamathon. You can get your early bird tickets on Eventbrite or Tix. AfricaTo learn more about the event and to stay updated on all the activities to be expected, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.africacomicade.org/gamathon">www.africacomicade.org/gamathon</a><h2>About Africacomicade</h2>Africacomicade is a platform that brings together stakeholders in the African digital creative industry ( games, animation, comics, and XR ) via insightful events such as conventions, game jams and so much more, to spotlight their works, as well as connect them to opportunities for learning, collaboration, and funding.&nbsp;Africacomicade’s main mission is focused on connecting African digital creatives to resources that would enable them to design and develop projects that will impact Africa’s ever-growing creative industry profitably.&nbsp;Learn more at: www.africacomicade.orgPress contactpeople@africacomicade.org&nbsp;

The Africacomicade Gamathon is a hybrid event focused on highlighting the works of African Digital creatives, connecting them to opportunities, and hosting conversations relevant to the growth of the industry. 

large_Gamma1700.jpg

medium_Gamma1700.jpg

small_Gamma1700.jpg

thumbnail_Gamma1700.jpg

Gamma1700.jpg

thumbnail_CGAFRICA390.jpg

CGAFRICA390.jpg

thumbnail_CGAFRICA330.jpg

CGAFRICA330.jpg

thumbnail_CG350.jpg

CG350.jpg

small_CG533.jpg

thumbnail_CG533.jpg

CG533.jpg

Africa’s largest convention of digital creatives in Games, Animation, Comics, and XR returns this September 2022 

large_Article-Banner.jpg

medium_Article-Banner.jpg

small_Article-Banner.jpg

thumbnail_Article-Banner.jpg

Article-Banner.jpg

<h1>Are you interested in learning Houdini?&nbsp;</h1>There may be an opportunity for you to learn Houdini software without charges, that is, FREE OF CHARGE.&nbsp;The opportunities include<ul><li>Work on an animated short film</li><li>Oppourntiy to get shortlisted for internship with big studios</li><li>Get verified by the Houdini school</li><li>And many more</li></ul>Register your interest by filling the form below: <a href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=DQSIkWdsW0yxEjajBLZtrQAAAAAAAAAAAAZ__oNvd4FUQjg4OVI4RDZEUFBDMVo3RjdKS0M5UEhGNC4u" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://forms.office.com/r/9M8JeZWF1a</a> &nbsp;

An opportunity to attend a Free Houdini training school

thumbnail_Article-MObile-Banner.jpg

Article-MObile-Banner.jpg

thumbnail_Article-MOBILE-FEATUREDThumbnail.jpg

Article-MOBILE-FEATUREDThumbnail.jpg

thumbnail_Article-MOBILE-Thumbnail.jpg

Article-MOBILE-Thumbnail.jpg

small_Article-Thumbnail.jpg

thumbnail_Article-Thumbnail.jpg

Article-Thumbnail.jpg

Learn Houdini for Free

large_article banner.jpg

medium_article banner.jpg

small_article banner.jpg

thumbnail_article banner.jpg

article banner.jpg

<blockquote><figure class="image image-style-align-left"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/1_6e47b25cbf.jpg"></figure></blockquote>Congratulations to Bertil Svanekiaer who was recently selected to attend THU's 2022 international event, An all-expense paid trip to Portugal.Bertil, who was chosen based on the strength of his profile on CGAfrica, is being sponsored by King- the game company behind the popular candy crush game. He will have the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other renowned digital artists and creative professionals from around the world. This surely will provide him with the necessary exposure to excel in his craft.Trojan Horse Was a Unicorn is an annual event for Digital artists and designers. The year 2022 edition will feature over 40 world-class design creators including Bertil.&nbsp;<img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/03_hightlights_2017_23812e1033.jpg"> &nbsp;Bertil was motivated by nature, his environment, and his childhood to create 3D animations to view designs in different dimensions and angles that fascinates him.He has been fortunate and opportune to attend several animation festivals, including the Google Awards in London, the Encanto Film Festival in Bristol, and the Annecy Film Festival, which is the largest film festival in France. He now has the opportunity to attend the THU Event in Portugal, after showcasing his works on CGAfrica.He anticipates meeting the titans of the film business and getting to collaborate with them on animations while fostering ties that would pave the way for the establishment of animation studios in Ghana.&nbsp;Want to attend the next THU event? Discover even more opportunities by creating a profile on www.cgafrica.com.You too can benefit from different perks of the CGAfrica community by becoming active.&nbsp; &nbsp;

Bertil Svanekiaer- CGAfrica member from Ghana selected for upcoming event for digital artists and creative professionals organized by Trojan Horse Was a Unicorn (THU).


large_article-featured banner.jpg

medium_article-featured banner.jpg

small_article-featured banner.jpg

thumbnail_article-featured banner.jpg

article-featured banner.jpg

thumbnail_articlemobile banner.jpg

articlemobile banner.jpg

thumbnail_article-mobilefeatured.jpg

article-mobilefeatured.jpg

thumbnail_article-Mobile featured thumbnail.jpg

article-Mobile featured thumbnail.jpg

Bertil Svanekiaer from Ghana Represents CGAfrica at THU 2022

large_THU-Main-Header.jpg

medium_THU-Main-Header.jpg

small_THU-Main-Header.jpg

thumbnail_THU-Main-Header.jpg

THU-Main-Header.jpg

<h1 style="margin-left:0px;">CGAfrica joined THU 2022!&nbsp;</h1>Dreams really do come true.&nbsp; <img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/THU_Artstation_1a8f2c8845.JPEG">Before the third quarter of 2022 ended, CGAfrica joined the prestigious gatherings of world-class digital artists and creators of the year.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Trojan Horse Was a Unicorn (THU) 2022 conference was held last September 19-24,2022 in Portugal. CGAfrica did not miss the opportunity to get acquainted with similar-minded people.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/1664215043765_1_7f0b366437.JPEG"></figure>The six-day international event was participated by more than 600 creatives from 54 different countries.&nbsp;The participants did have a great time doing various activities where they not only enjoyed but gained new knowledge as well.<figure class="image"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/Wow_with_CG_288026c915.JPEG"></figure>THU 2022 aimed to share different ideas, and new learnings and eventually changed mindsets among its digital creative participants.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">CGAfrica’s Very Own –Bertil&nbsp;</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/bertil_3ed0507604.jpeg"></figure>CGAfrica was represented by Bertil Svanekiaer, of Ghana. A mainstay artist of CGAfrica whose impressive portfolio makes way for sponsorship from mobile games (Candy Crush) giant – King. It was the perfect moment for him to meet fellow creators and industry experts in this one fantastic gathering.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/3_participants_2fd054929c.jpeg"></figure>Together with Bertil, Mayowa Osewa and Femi Osewa, staff of CGAfrica, also got the chance to attend THU 2022. These computer graphics enthusiasts had the time of their lives gaining more ideas and friends.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/group_of_artists_877cb9c7da.jpeg"></figure>&nbsp;Indeed, THU 2022 was a relevant avenue to let the world know what African digital creators could offer.&nbsp;<h2 style="margin-left:0px;">Join CGA, Join THU!&nbsp;</h2><figure class="image"><img src="https://cgafrica-media.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/CG_Africa_0447774be4.JPEG"></figure>Dreaming of coming to&nbsp; THU the next year?&nbsp;&nbsp;Yes, you can! for Free.&nbsp;Create your CGAfrica account now, build your portfolio and be active. Who knows, you could be our next representative for THU 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

CGAfrica did not miss the chance to be in the prestigious THU ( Trojan Horse are Unicorn)  2022. Find out to know more in this article.

small_THU-thumb.jpg

thumbnail_THU-thumb.jpg

THU-thumb.jpg

CGAfrica joined THU 2022

News

CGAfrica joined THU 2022

CGAfricaNews

2021-12-29

News

WEBINAR: CGAfrica speaks with GridMarkets to showcase some African talents

CGAfricaNews

2021-12-29

Tutorials

Choosing Your First 3D Software

CGAfricaTutorials

2021-12-29

Tutorials

Making of The War for The Planets of The Apes

CGAfricaTutorials

2021-12-29

Editorial

The Top 5 Most Promising Animation Studios in Africa

CGAfricaEditorial

2021-12-29

Editorial

5 Best Animated Movies in Africa

CGAfricaEditorial

2021-12-29

News

CGAfrica Competition 2022: Legend Of Shango - The Third Emperor Winners Announced

CGAfricaNews

2021-12-29

Editorial

Mukalazi Raymond Andrew: Consistency and discipline is the key to Animation

CGAfricaEditorial

2021-12-29

News

Africa’s largest convention of digital creatives in Games, Animation, Comics, and XR returns this September 2022

Oscar EsioNews

2022-07-17

News

Learn Houdini for Free

CGAfricaNews

2021-12-29

News

Bertil Svanekiaer from Ghana Represents CGAfrica at THU 2022

CGAfricaNews

2021-12-29

News

CGAfrica joined THU 2022

CGAfricaNews

2021-12-29

News

WEBINAR: CGAfrica speaks with GridMarkets to showcase some African talents

CGAfricaNews

2021-12-29

WEBINAR: CGAfrica speaks with GridMarkets to showcase some African talents

CGAfricaNews

2022-01-12

Previous Page

Next Page