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.