The winners of Digital Lab Africa 4, or (DLA#4 for short) have been announced. The winners were announced in an online ceremony as part of Annecy Online, the virtual edition of the animation festival in France.

Digital Lab Africa (DLA) is a platform and a call for projects dedicated to creative content linked with innovation in Africa (web creation, virtual reality, video game, animation, digital music). 

The objective of Digital Lab Africa is to provide a springboard to the creators of next-generation content and to make their project happen with the support and expertise of DLA ecosystem (studios, events, producers, broadcasters, distributors, experts, incubation venues) from French & Sub-Saharan African leading companies such as Lagardère Studios, ARTE or Triggerfish Animation. 

9 projects creators were chosen out of 506 applications from 32 countries across the continent this year. The 9 winners will be granted a DLA Incubation Pass to accelerate the development of their project.

Alongside mentorship and training sessions, the DLA #4 winners will also be hosted in planned residencies in the relevant category ecosystems such as Fakugessi and the Tshimologong Animation Studio.

This year’s winners are:

Animation: Bokang Katja (SA), Natasha Nayo & Lizz Johnson (GH), Moshood Ridwan Shades (NG)

Video Game: Tristan Mocke (SA), Robert Mensah (NG),

Immersive Realities: Melisa Allela (KE), Joey Ekunwe (NG)

Music: Sizo Hlophe (SZ)

Digital Art: Lara Sousa (MZ)

Below is the entire DLA#4 ceremony followed by each winner’s message.

Animation

Mannerisms by Bokang Katja (South Africa)

Message Beats by Natasha Nayo & Lizz Johnson (Ghana)

In My Hood by Moshood Ridwan Shades (Nigeria)

Video Games

Qyn by Tristan Mocke (South Africa)

Outcome by Robert Mensah (Nigeria)

Immersive Reality

Sigana: Tales of Lagino by Melisa Allela (Kenya)

The Slavery of Science by Joey Ekunwey (Nigeria)

Digital Art and Music

Katalina, Kalunga, Karonga – Sea Waved Tales by Lara Sousa (Mozambique)

Antidote Music by Sizo Hlophe