Animation in Kenya

Africa is no longer being ignored when it comes to animation and films. Since the early 2000s, Africa has experienced growth in Animation. In 2008 Africa produced nine animation films that were featured in the Africa in Motion Festival in Edinburgh, UK. In the article Animation in Kenya Comes of Age, Carole Kimutai interviews Paula Callus, a senior lecturer in computer animation and research in sub-Saharan animation. Paula Callus remarkes how Africa is coming to the forefront in the Animation industry. 

“Animation unfortunately has historically suffered from taking a back seat to film in the West and beyond. Nowadays, with the onset of digital technology and computer-generated animation, the proliferation of this form is becoming more apparent with a growing interest from audiences round the world. This perhaps has encouraged what seems to be a sudden growth, not only in Kenya but across Africa,”

The growth of animation in Kenya can be traced back to the UNESCO Africa Animated Project, which was held between 2001 and 2004. The project consisted of regional training and production workshops for local artists. The program sought to address the lack of formal training in animation and film making. Subsequently Kenya is in mid-production of the animated series Tinga Tinga Tales, animal tales target towards younger audiences.

Other Animated series include The XYZ show, a television series fresh out of Kenya that is certainly turning heads and leaving viewers begging for more. This African political satire animated series is the brainchild of famous political satirist GADO and promises to influence other animated projects coming out of East Africa.

Amongst other artists Kenyan musicians like Just A Band are now known for experimenting with 2d/3d Animation.

The growth of Kenyan animation has also led to the creation of organizations like the Association of Animation Artistes Kenya which begun in 2008 as a network dedicated to supporting animation artists in Kenya. The Association is determined to close the technological gap between African animation and Western Animation meeting the challenge described by Callus,

“In order for there to be a viable animation industry, one needs to have a sturdy and robust workforce to support it, and therefore more individuals would need to be trained in this field and collaboratively work together to be able to take on larger projects”

With the presence of organizations like the Association of Animation Artistes, Kenya is finally becoming  ‘The Next Big Thing in Animation’. Take a look at some examples;