Madagascar new generation animation...

A recent search of the more recent film festivals on the continent, of note the Luxor International Film Festival, The Comoros Film Festival and the Madagascar Film Festival list a host of new young emerging animators from Madagascar... headlining 
Sitraka Randriamahaly, Andry Rarivonandrasana and Ridha Andriantomanga

resources for discussions on African animation.... IMAGINAFRIK

IMAGINAFRIK is a great online resource/ community of individuals interested, talking about and making African animation. Whilst it is mostly in French, google translate does a good job of translating to the relevant language of your choice. The discussions in the forum are varied from South Africa to Burkina Faso, in places with inserted videos to watch. Its a treasure trove of topical discussions and worth exploring...



a little discovery made somewhere in the trails of discussions...

Yellow Fever screens at CinemAfrica 2013

Ng'endo Muki 's animated documentary Yellow Fever was screened in March at the Museum of Modern Art, Sweden as part of a focus in the CinemAfrica Festival. The website provides the context for this focus,

In 2012, raging debate on the representation of black, whiteness and racism in Sweden.Racist stereotypes in popular culture was repeatedly ransacked and debating. Where do we go, how we want the representation of blacks should look like and how do we get there in a country where many seem to ignore the structural and symbolic racism that surrounds us all? Akosua Adoma Owusu and Ng'endo Mukii, two highly topical filmmaker with roots in the African continent, recur in his films and his art to the right identity, hair, skin, race and colonialism. 

This film is gaining success in different art and animation circuits and resonates with both local and foreign audiences alike. You can view more of Ng'endo's films at her site thenge

Animation in Africa: New Publication by Ghazala

Congratulations to Mohammed Ghazala for the recent publication of his book Animation in Africa. Another contribution to the much needed literature in this field. We are waiting to hear when and where the book will be available for purchase. Currently only available in Egypt!

Kenya's Just a Band make it to TED

Just a Band will be making their way to the TED talks in Edinburgh talking alongside Neurologists, Politicians and Economists... the theme for this year's TED Global talks Think Again. They will be presenting in Session 9: Forces of Change on Thursday, June 13, 2013, 2:15pm-4:00pm (Edinburgh, BST/GMT+1). 

We are in the midst of a global remix. Disciplines merge and cross-pollinate. Technology intrudes into biology and society. Power and authority are redistributed. Boundaries shift -- or disappear. Hopes and anxieties collide. A new world is emerging at the intersection of once-separated realities, and everything we think we know might just be wrong. TEDGlobal 2013 will bring together those who challenge us to pause for an instant and Think Again.

You can read more about the event on TED

And this is my most recent favourite track of theirs.... its Kenyan all over!

smooth and natural transitions... a documentary on Ezra Wube

Still on the theme of Ezra Wube's animated films, I recently stumbled across this documentary about his work on youtube. It provides some insight into the artist's own personal interests, what motivates his work, and what themes reoccur.

Wube's 'new home'... and recurring motifs

Ethiopian Ezra Wube recently released his animated film  - 'new home : addis bet' - another beautiful contribution to his body of work that evokes the similar motifs that appear in his earlier animated films, the amharic text, the sense of travelling, the nomadic silhouetted figures and the goat! His work is all featured on his youtube channel Ezrademas.

Bino and Fino at the MoAD

The Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco will be screening Bino and Fino for all to watch... how refreshing to see animation exhibited alongside other art forms still or moving.

Animation Apprentices: Kenya's Recon-Digital Investment in future talent

Previously featured here, Kenya's animator Gatumia Gatumia made his entry into 3D computer animation with his political short “The Greedy Lords of the Jungle” and humorous take on familial life “Domestic Disturbance”. More recently his company Recon-Digital has made an impact by introducing an animation apprenticeship for 7 young animation enthusiasts. The company aimed 'to identify, train and retain' young talent with a view to encourage the growth of a sector in Kenya and to enable the generation of local content for a local audience. Well done to Gatumia and his team for this great initiative! You read an interview with the company here: Techmoran To view all 7 animations go to Youtube CHannel RECON

CartoonBrew on Nigerian Animation....

A recent article posted on the 20th November by Amid Amidi on CartoonBrew reviews the state of animation in Nigeria making special mention of Bino and Fino and a more recent addition by SporeDust Media and their animation Chicken Core: The Rise of Kings directed by Oricha Aliyu. 
The interview and links make for a great read, and in addition this makes for another interesting addition to the body of work from Nigeria. 

AIM 2012 exciting frontiers... Modern Africa

This years Africa in Motion which has extended to two cities Edinburgh and Glasgow, is sure to provide exciting new material to look out for on the African film front. To talk about see past festival director and festival chair, Lizelle Bisschoff






Of particular interest look out for

Kenyan - Ngendo Mukii's Yellow Fever (2012)
Ethiopian - Danny Gebeyehu & Bisrat Amare Abeba and Abebe: The Pepper Merchant (2011)
Burkinabe - Lazare Sie Pale Le Parain (2011)
Kenyan - (Bob) Muchiri Njenga  Kichwateli (2011)

Kenyan Wasi PSA

This new PSA created by Majiqmud Pete from Kenya for the WASI Campaign

On DIaspora and Animation

As my search for Sub-Saharan animation continues, it is becoming increasing hard to look at African animation without considering the role and movement of the diaspora as a contributing force to the body of work that currently circulates the public domain. Some artists work between different places, move from Africa to Europe or America and back again... Their constant movement makes it somewhat more difficult to place their work but it invites a new set of questions about the 'transnational', migration and identity... It also leads to more unexpected discoveries such as the artists/animators mentioned here and the 'accented' approach to their work-
One happy discovery to add to the growing list
Samba Fall -  from Senegal - Whilst currently practising in Norway, Samba Fall's introduction to animation came through employment in Dakar by Pictoon - whom also recruited Piniang * mentioned previously - and whom also was a graduate from the Dakar Academy of Fine Arts. You can view his work here: http://www.sfall.com/

SHUJAAZ.FM rocks and wins the International Digital Emmy Award!

What is Shujaaz? Well Told Story describe it like this.....


At its heart Shujaaz.FM is a story about four young Kenyans growing up and meeting life’s many challenges. 

600,000 copies of the 32-page colour comic-book Shujaaz.FM are distributed nationally each month, reaching at least 3,000,000 readers.


Shujaaz mostly known of in Kenya for its monthly comic books with an young and funky edge

but featured also for its animated content and short online episodes... 




....and have just won the International Digital Emmy Award  in the Digital Program: Children & Young People category, cited as having beaten some of the giants of international media. 

WELL DONE to all those involved.... and mostly the producers and distributors Well Told Story!! 

Subscribe to SHUJAAZ TV here

NDINADSAWAPANGA - I Will Tell International Film Festival

This year's IWILLTELL Film Festival will be screening a special category of African World Film Festival Selections, and the Anime Caribe selection. The selection includes a collection of animated shorts ranging from traditional drawn animation such as Rooted by Victor Opeyokun to computer generated 3D animations such as Victor Dollabaille's Dream Vs Reality.

 

Plugged Digital Expo in Kenya

Kenya's  PLUGGED DIGITAL EXPO will be showcasing digital technologies and related industries for the East African region.
It runs on the 13th - 14th July in the Sarit Centre, Nairobi 


It will include exhibitors in zones 

• Mobile Zone - mobile phones, tablets, accessories, portable devices
• Digi Zone - touch screens, Computers, Laptops, displays, print solutions, routers, automated office solutions, communication technology.
• Mobile apps Pit - mobile apps, mobile business solutions, payment solutions and mobile games.
• Apps Bar - sample shots of information on must-have apps for mobile devices. 
• Simulator Zone – flight simulators, Visual Effects, Driving simulators
• Studio Grid - media, broadcast, 3D, HD, Programming, Cable, Triple play, satellite, streaming, set top boxes, content creators and digital distribution technology.
• Innovator's Pavilion – meet Kenya's innovators who will shape and determine Kenya's future in the digital and technology space.
• Cloud 9 - Dedicated to cloud based solutions, tools and tutorials for businesses

The conference also includes a focus on digital content distribution for television, film and animation - which should be of particular interest to practising animators/ producers in this field.

For more info go to:
http://www.pluggedexpo.com/

Ngendo Mukii's Yellow Fever (2012)

The artist and animator Ngendo Mukii from Kenya, has recently completed her graduate film for the prestigious RCA, London. Her film is a personal narrative on questions of identity and skin colour and in particular African feminine voices on self-image.  It is an exciting contribution to Kenyan animation and resonates with the concerns of other filmmakers/ animators from the continent.

 
Yellow Fever: TRAILER from Ng'endo Mukii on Vimeo.

SinAnimation... Ivorian Coast Animation

Officially launched in 2007, known for its animated series "C KEMA?" (2010) and FOOT'IVOIRE (2008) an animated series with an awarding winning episode at the International Film Festival in Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire. The animation company Sinanimation is another great find! 

You can read all about the company on this article by culturiche.com

International Trickfilm Festival, Stuttgart: African Animation Program

The Animation Film Festival being hosted in Stuttgart this year is featuring a timely African animation program with a focus on the Arab Revolution or Arab Spring. The program is being curated by the Egyptian animator Mohammed Ghazala. The details of the program are limited to a description of the spirit of the event with a emphasis on the aesthetic of 'revolution and challenge'.  This contribution is surely to be an exciting addition to the Trikfilm Festival. Well done Mohammed Ghazala!

"The programme shows bold portraits as well as wry cartoons on the Islamist resurgence at the polls. Photographs, graffiti, paintings, videos and sculpture explore the issues spotlighted with the ouster of dictator Zine al Abidine Ben Ali: freedom of speech and religion, women’s rights, the online world, democracy building."

Click here for TRIKFILM Festival

BuniTV hits the web

Described as....

Buni TV is a web and mobile video channel that allows viewers to discover the best and most innovative content off the beaten path of mainstream entertainment.

What's even better is BuniTv shares it's advertising revenue with the content owners.

BuniTV offers a great collection of music videos, short films and animations. Featured in BuniTV's archive you can find Kwame Nyongo's Legend of Ngong Hills, and Just a Band's music videos Huff and Puff, WAGEUZI Battle 2012, and The XYZ Show Season 5's First Episode and many other creative shorts.


With Africa in Motion as an official sponsor, this site is sure to be a hive of creative activity!

Check out Africa in Motion TV also for more videos: AFRICA IN MOTION TV

Bino&Fino Easter Update

For those who have been following the Bino&Fino Success story, here is Adamu Wasiri giving everyone an update of the latest news...

ethiopiananimation.com

Courtesy of the Bino&Fino crew who linked to this animation, another great find from Ethiopia.

on animation in Zimbabwe

Whilst its not often that we get any news of the animation scene in Zimbabwe, there has been much activity including the Joint Afrikan Animation Group JAAG running various events including the Zimbabwe Festival of African Inspired Animation, ZIMFAIA. You can read all about this event and some budding artists work on the Global Press Article. 
JAAG's 2010 conference was the first official meeting of Zimbabwean animators and VFX practitioners and there is an online document of the proceedings that can be found here.

The Black Heart Gang talk about their work

Courtesy of DesignIndaba here is great little clip with the BlackHeartGang from South Africa, talking about their work, this includes also their own animation "The Tale of How".

Bino and Fino air on Sky TV in the UK

WAGEUZI: Battle 2012 Animated Short

Andrew Kaggia's animated short WAGEUZI will be released on the 2nd December. The short pre-release trailer looks like a kenyan-style cross between political sci-fi and the transformers...



A more recent and updated preview can be viewed at Andrew Kaggia's facebook page.

HomeBoyz Animation Showreel

Following their work on the TingaTinga Tales series, Homeboyz Animation Studio in Nairobi have released their most recent showreel of animated work... With some diverse styles and techniques its an exciting flavour of the Kenyan talent....

SHUJAAZ TV from Kenya

Another great animation from Kenya, as the first 'official' Shujaaz TV broadcast goes on YOUTUBE- put together by Just A Band's (and Shujaaz artist) Daniel Muli, Muchiri Njenga, Zoe Muthoga, Movin Were.

Mike Scott creates another hit for Goldfish...

AfriPOP reviews 7 African animators work....

Well done to the animators who have been reviewed on AfriPOP's website. The article gives a short bio of each artist and links to their work. Read all about Kwame Noyongo, Adamu Wasiri, Mohammed Ghazala, Ree Treweek, Gatumia, Phil Cunnigham, Anthony Sliverstone at AfriPOP.

Animation in Mali...

Described as an animated series of 20 episodes on the hisotry of Mali directed by Ismael Diallo and produced by InMedia, this body of work is another welcome addition to African animation. To read all about the production in more detail click on the article at Journal du Mali.

Inmedia is a corporation originally created in 1999 to address the gap in Multimedia in Mali.Since then great strides were made ​​in the area and many businesses and individuals with real expertise appeared. So after many changes Inmedia became an International Group with several partners and a network of international partners.Today it acts also as a marketing consultancy agent, specializing in developing communication tools, Radio, TV, web, animation and graphic design.

The Legend of Ngong Hills

Another great addition to the body of Kenyan animations, the animator Kwame Nyongo completes his charming animated short, The Legend of Ngong Hills.

"Based upon a Maasai folktale, 'The Legend of Ngong Hills' is the creation myth of these beautiful hills that backdrop present day Nairobi. Available in leading retail outlets across Kenya. See trailer on YouTUBE.
March 2011"

You can link to his website to read more about his other animations and work by clicking here
 Kwame Nyongo

Another animated film from Ezra Wube: Hisab

This beautiful painterly animation, based on Ethiopian folklore is another addition to the body of work by Ezra Wube. Here is a short excerpt - to watch the full 6 minute film go to IMDB or CLICK HERE

Great posting on African Graphic Novels...

Following on from an Issue in African Writing - Geoff Ryman posts a supplemental addition to his article with a collection of images from different African Graphic Novels and links to various articles on the subject - definitely worth taking a look! Click to go to AFRICAN GRAPHIC NOVELS

Ethiopian animator Bruktawit Tigabu gives an inspiring TED talk in ADDIS

An inspiring story about the start of "Teshai loves Learning", overcoming adversities and more Bruktawit talks about what drives her work....



You can read more about it here TEDxADDIS

Up and coming Ghanian animator's blog...

With some groovy pictures and great concept work... "Gyimah(pronounced:Jee-Ma) Litsitso Gariba.Second year Sheridan Animation student from Ghana living in Toronto" makes for a wonderful addition to the body of work inspired and made by African animators....

See Ggariba's Blog

a great Kenyan find... from political to humourous 3D animation

In 2009 - the A3 Genesis Event screened a program of animations that were both local to Kenya and other African countries. Hot off the press, this was the first time political animation "The Greedy Lords of the Jungle" was screened locally(British Council) to a local audience. It later screened at the Durban FIlm Festival in 2009. It resonanted on many levels not least because it followed the still very recent post election violence. A recent search for this animation led to the discovery of what now appears to be a company based in Nairobi, RECON Digital, working on other 3D Computer Generated animations. The new "Domestic Disturbance" is a great addition to their portfolio...




 Go to RECON DIgital to read more about the company

egyptian animation makes it voice heard...

With recent events unfolding across Eygpt and Tunisia
animation has found its place amongst the political voices...





For more visit KharabeeshCartoons Youtube Channel

Bino and Fino Launch their website!

Nigerian Animation Bino and Fino

can now be found on their very own website with stuff for sale, episodes to watch and more related info.

a rare tanzanian find...

Kitoi Mwelevututunze Vyanzo Vya Majiavi


whilst its not clear whether an animator by profession the enviromentalist Jerome Kimaru's productions are a great addition to evidence of Tanzanian animation

Tsehai loves Learning - Rolex Young Laureates

Well done to Brukti and the Whizzkids team for not only their 2008 prizes in Munich and Japan, but now the most recent Rolex Laureate Award.



You can watch the video about their great work in Ethiopia and education clicking here:
YoungRolexAwards

Animation from Botswana

On one of my many searches for more animation from the continent... I stumbled across this great little blog from an animator in Botswana called Onkemetse Lesemela

Onkemetse Crine Demo Reel from onkemetse Indo-Crine on Vimeo.

To read more about his work see:
http://onkemetseindo-crinerestlestimes.blogspot.com/

ShrinkFish Animation win a host of awards!

The Nigerian Animation company ShrinkFish Animation is becoming quite a name in festival circuits. Screening and winning a long list of awards for its most recent animation The Essence.
Shrinkfish studios on Vimeo.

Aguilar de Campoo Short Film Festival, Spain - 2010

Capalbio Cinema International, Rome - 2010

Africa in Motion (AiM) UK - 2010

Silicon Valley African Film Festival, California - .2010

ANIMAFRIK Animation Festival, Accra Ghana - 2010


The Essence from shrinkfish on Vimeo.

It is definitely worth a watch and keeping an eye out for any future work. Animator Ebele Okoye has been creating some exciting work and collaborating across continents. You can read all about her work on the ShrinkFish website

groovy Bhovas and Sam from South Africa

for all about the dynamic duo :) go to Bhovas and Sam

mike scott and more bruandboegie

check out the link to south african mike scott's blog including lots of great cartoons and animations
www.bruandboegie.co.za

Goldfish - Fort Knox from Bru Boegie on Vimeo.

William Kentridge: Anything is Possible

"William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible," a new hour-long film from the producers of the Peabody-Award winning "Art in the Twenty-First Century" television series. The film gives viewers an intimate look into the mind and creative process of William Kentridge, the South African artist whose acclaimed work has made him one of the most dynamic and exciting contemporary artists working today.

"William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible" premieres October 21, 2010 at 10:00 p.m. ET on PBS (check local listings).

Teaser #3 | "William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible" (2010) | Art21 from Art21 on Vimeo.

XYZ Vibes in South Africa with Zapiro and ZA News

Working with the Zapiro Crew, in the style of the XYZ shows, this new controversial music video  "Chicken to Change" from Freshlyground never made it to mainstream media... but is circulating on the interweb instead.



Watch all the episodes on ZANEWS Tv's Youtube Channel

Bino and Fino Launch their first Episode

Although this will happen on the Bino Fino Facebook Page, I am sure that it will make its way on to YouTube in no time. In the meantime here is what they have to say about the new episode

"It’s finally here! The online premier of Africa’s latest children’s cartoon, Bino and Fino, is happening this Thursday 1:00pm Abuja, Nigeria time. This episode is all about you. Many of you have said you wanted to see more of Bino and fino so you and your children could get to know them better before the DVD c...omes out. Here’s your chance and there’re fewer better place than here on Facebook to let us know what you think.

This episode focuses on the idea of 2010 being an important year in Africa’s history as many countries are celebrating their 50th year of independence from colonial rule. To be honest this, subject matter is a bit heavier than those that will be handled in the episodes on the DVD. We just saw a rare opportunity to address an important historic African event in a children’s cartoon format. It’s definitely not a topic Disney would handle! That’s the beauty of being able to tell one’s own stories."

more Bino and Fino - good news for Nigerian Animation!

The animated series in production Bino and Fino recently received a positive review on the MTVBlog.

Another positive note is the release on DVD in Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, English and French, suitably available for both a local and foreign audience.



YOu can join the FACEBOOK BinoFino group too!

more bloggers blogging african animation...

check out Munashe Gumbonzvande AKA SlyBeaver's blog on African Visual Arts, featuring interviews with Kwame Nyongo and JAB from Kenya. Another welcome addition to the pool of African animation news!

http://www.slybeaver.com/

William Kentridge on CNN

Apologies CNN has removed these videos from its site. Instead you can view some more about Kentridge on VIMEO: Watch out for his new film release due to be out on the 21st Oct

Trailer #1 | "William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible" (2010) | Art21 from Art21 on Vimeo.

Thinking with Hands | "William Kentridge: Anything Is Possible" (2010) Preview | Art21 from Art21 on Vimeo.

KUWENI SERIOUS

Activism : Fighting Apathy in Kenya - Blog wisdom from Nairobi... narrated by Blinky Bill from JAB

AFIFF: Africa Unite

Meet Bino and Fino from Nigeria

Amongst a host of other animated contributions from EVCL, Abuja Nigeria...we can eagerly await the launch of Bino and Fino, Nigeria's answer to Charlie and Lola! You can read all about the project on the EVCL blog

shrinkfish in Abuja

interesting find: I just came across another addition to the animation scene in Abuja, Nigeria -Shrinkfish - you can check out their showreel and more info at
SHRINKFISH

More from Ezra Wube

To read more about Ezra Wube's installation work in New York see Rochana Rapkin's article "An Artist's Journey" at The Local (in collaboration with the New York Times).

Ghana's Animationafrica Program 2010

Between July the 26th and August 22nd, Animafrik will be hosting and running a series of workshops, screenings and animation conferences in Accra, Ghana.Whilst the website does not provide any detailed program, you can contact the organiser, Mr Samuel Quartey for any further questions.

ANIMATION AFRICA
NO.5 2ND ANOWA LINK, TESANO, ACCRA
P.O. BOX KN 150
KANESHIE, ACCRA
TEL: (233) 021 254130, 24-3236543, 24-3987224
24-4738681, 24-3873737

The brief program outline can be found on this link: ANIMAFRIK

XYZ causing a stir... ;)

read all about it on the TIMESONLINE article "Satirist behind Kenyan Spitting Image out to make the powerful squirm again"

Comments and replies from Alex Drummer regarding tinga tinga

Whilst the focus of this blog is merely to report my findings on the web, and point to them. I wish to point out that the comments and replies to the blog are not published immediately, as they need to be filtered to avoid spam. With this in mind, although I have published Alex Drummer's replies to the posting on "Tinga Tinga gets bad press", it seems Mr Drummer has not seen these published, as well as the further posting dated 12th April. Therefore to avoid this I am AGAIN publishing Alex Drummer's comments and replies to this posting as a seperate post, hoping that it is now absolutely clear to Alex Drummer and the reader that the posting "Tinga Tinga gets Bad Press" includes the following information as part of the larger debate on this issue:

Dear Paula, the story of Tania Bale was not her own but an untested press release from Daniel Augusta. Mr Augusta is the Manager of the Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society (TACS) in Dar-es-Salaam/Tanzania. This organization spreads knowingly wrong information about the term "Tinga Tinga". Finally, the TACS claimed that "Tinga Tinga is part of national identity, a national asset, a symbol for Tanzania as a national flag". This is complete garbage. More infomation you can find in my article „Tinga Tinga“ – the Great Error. The article shows that the aim of this artist group is the wrong way and will not help to support the Tingatinga Art in the future. The full text is:

It is not very often that a new trend in art gets the name of only one person. So this is a special tribute to Eduardo Saidi Tingatinga who was the founder of the East African Tingatinga style in the early 1970s in Dar es Salaam. In the next decades till today paintings in the typical colourful style called „Tingatinga Art“ became well known through exhibitions and books world-wide. In contrast to this the term "Tinga Tinga" was not an East African brand at any time. The contrary assertion is wrong. The name "Tinga Tinga" never has played a role also in the international art-scene. No serious art expert use this. The only correct name is the term Tingatinga (for art, paintings etc.).
Currently only the word combination "Tinga Tinga Tales" is a registered trademark in some countries and belongs to the company Tiger Aspect Production from UK. The background of this is of interest. Some just stupid and greedy people of the Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society (TACS) in Dar es Salaam/Tanzania sold to this company the usufruct of the words "Tinga Tinga". That therefore is remarkable because the TACS neither was and is the owner of the right of this term and also only a few Tingatinga artists are represented by the TACS. But exactly this organization, that arranged a bad contract without consultation of experts, now spreads the fairytale of the "sale of Tanzanian cultural heritage". What is the truth? No East African artist will get any problems to use the correct and long time introduced term "Tingatinga" for his art style, for paintings, for books etc. No artist should use "Tinga Tinga". It harms himself and creates confusion. The TACS finally should stop to require and to use the term "Tinga Tinga" for itself. No artist should hope that the running TV series "Tinga Tinga Tales" causes positive for the Tingatinga art. This TV production and the entire merchandising around happens on a market, on which African art-styles and artists don't have anything to win. It is nonsense to suggest African artists can find "honey and money" in the childish "Disney World" which is made believe us by unscrupulous businessmen. But it would not be surprising, if in one or two years the whole hype about "Tinga Tinga Tales" is over (end of article text).

PS: The very last information is that the TACS now will feed expensive lawyers with the money of their members among other things to register the "Tinga Tinga" trademark (!). They didn't understand, that it is too late for it and they will lose. But the damage for the Tingatinga Art will be big.

Alex Drummer

18/04/10

Dear Paula, now to truth is coming step by step. And the truth is bad and shocking. It is a swamp of crime.

Mr. Augusta (Manager TACS) now had to publish the following correction because of my article: "There were three versions of the contract: English, Swahili and Swahili-English which were signed by Mbwana Sudi (The Chairman), Agnes Mpata (Wittness) and Saidi Omary (The Vice Chairman) on TACS side and Claudia Lloyd from Tiger Aspect Production. Claudia Lloyed gave to the painters enough time to read properly the contract, she has recommended the painters to get help from a lawyer to fully understand the implications of the contract. She had always a translator to help her in communication with the painters. But the painters did not seek any legal help. Despite that the contract was in their native language, it was distributed to all in the leadership and they had more 1.5 day to finally reconsider the agreement they later claimed that they did not understand the implication of the contract. They had gone so far as to claim that there was only the English version. A payment of ca $24.000 divided in 4 installments was part of the contract. The first payment of ca $6000 was paid on table in the presence of the few painters who have been at the leadership of TACS. Paying cash on the table was explicit wish of the painters. After the payment the leadeship pocketed the money, hide the contract, did not tell anything to the members of the Coperative. As a result, there was almost zero Tinga Tinga community participation on the Tiger Aspect´s animations. At the time of launching the films, not more than 10 painters out of 100 (at TACS) were aware of any contract."

I ask myself: What is coming next? Even more bad news and lies or reason and insight? How will ever repair the TACS the damage for the Tingatinga Art and the artists?

Alex Drummer

4/18/2010 12:19 AM

I hope that this posting satisfies Mr Drummer concerns. 

A difference of opinions... tinga tinga

The debate on the Tinga Tinga Tales series, has continued with differing opinions see Educating Alice's entry with the comments below/ Learning about Africa; Tinga Tinga Tales
With regards to africananimation recent posting on Tinga Tinga gets bad press , a reply by Alex Drummer has been published in the comments section. Included here find a link to Alex Drummer's own article on this matter
„Tinga Tinga" – The Great Error

more Makmende... the world just can't get enough!

Makmende musings in the blogosphere.....

I'm thrilled by all the recent hype that the Makmende phenomenon has generated.... but what is more interesting is the blog postings that are appearing all over the place discussing whether this is the first african meme that has caused such as stir. In particular I loved Ethan Zuckerman's observations and article,
Makmende's so HUGE he can't fit on Wikipedia

This article is definitely worth a read...

tinga tinga gets bad press....

The online magazine African Colours has just ran a story on the recent animation Tinga Tinga Tales that was being produced by British company Tiger Aspect in collaboration with HomeBoyz Studios in Kenya. Whilst the BBC has covered the story of the release of this animated series as a success story to be had - both in terms of the contribution of East African content to a global audience (in the vein of the Tinga Tinga art that it derives its aesthetic from, the narrative content) and in terms of the expertise of  East African animators in making the film - recent events have taken an unforseen turn for the worst!

Tania Bale's Blog posting on AfricanArt Online gives a different story about the unfolding events surrounding the development of this project. You can read her account at this link: AFRICANART

JAB goes RETRO with a viral video : Who is Makmende?

 Just a Band hit the web again with their brilliant retro "Shaft"-like video. You can watch and listen to their brilliance on their YOUTUBE station, JustaBandwidth




You can support their endevours on the AfricaUnsigned initiative click here to listen to their music

Read all about it on the Wall Street Journal 

Animation, Zimbabwe and creative muses

An interview with animator Carl Ncube of the "Nyami-Nyami" fame - the short animated film which was a local hit with young children in 2007. Here he talks of his experiences and inspirations as a Zimbabwean animator.

Click here:
We don't understand what an inventive spirit is: Interview with Carl Joshua Ncube Upenyu Makoni-Muchemwa, Kubatana.net February 24, 2010


Dear Mama from iaminawe on Vimeo.

a vimeo find on Sembene

a lovely animation/ film by jason silverman: to read about Sembene: A documentary Film

for more information read the article on silverman and the grant he was awarded by Sundance at GregoryP's blog click here

for more information about the film see the Sundance Documentary entry click here



SEMBENE trailer 4-2010 from jason silverman on Vimeo.