African Animation Network (AAN) & DISCOP Markets announced at a press conference at the recent DISCOP Joburg market, November 14^th – 16^th,  the official launch of DISCOMICS IQEMBU.

AAN’s core mission is to create a sustainable African animation industry and central to achieving this goal is industry related education. Through its work across the continent over a number of years, AAN has established a pan-African partner network of national animation associations, animation festivals and pop culture events that now includes (subsequent to an equity investment made by DISCOMICS) the 3 longest events in Africa; Nairobi Comic Con in Kenya, ICON Comic & Games Convention in Johannesburg and Lagos Comic Con in Nigeria.

DISCOMICS Footprint

Based on this inclusive network and DISCOP’s footprint of markets across the continent, DISCOMICS IQEMBU, with the support of key international industry partners, including; Toonz Media Group, Baboon Animation and Toon Boom Animation; will drive a 3-pronged strategy forward.

 The 3-pronged strategy announced last week includes the following:

• DISCOMICS FUKAMELA – (incubate in isiZulu)
• DISCOMICS SHESHISA – (accelerate in isiZulu)
• DISCOMICS IQEMBU – (cluster or group in isiZulu)

DISCOMICS Iqembu Partners

Based in India, Toonz Media Group is a global leader in animation production producing over 10,000 mins of animation per year. Baboon Animation, based in New York, is a world-leading animation IP development team having created Emmy Award Winning and Oscar nominated writing, directing, and design for over two decades. Toon Boom Animation, based in Montreal, Canada, is the leading 2D animation software service provider in the world today.

“India is arguably the global leader in animation production and we can think of no better partner than Toonz Media Group” says Nick Wilson, Head of Projects and Content at AAN and co-founder of DISCOMICS.

“Furthermore, North America, and particularly the US, has been at the forefront of animation IP development since the inception of the animation industry.  The plethora of Emmy Awards and Oscar nominations that the Baboon Animation team has been responsible for clearly illustrates that.  And, having a global leading technology partner like Toon Boom, ensures we work to the highest global standards.  We’re exceptionally proud to have these 3 partners in the DISCOMICS IQEMBU.  The long-term future of African animation looks exceedingly healthy” he concluded.

AAN will co-develop animation production curricula, including a Toonz Animation FUKAMELA, and a specialized animation writing curriculum, a Baboon Animation FUKAMELA. When the partners are happy with the quality of the work produced, roughly after six months, the Toonz Animation SHESHISA and Baboon Animation SHESHISA will launch. Both Toonz Media Group and Baboon Animation will supply service work to sustain the talent pool, pipeline, and infrastructure.

In partnership with Toon Boom Animation, AAN will co-develop a specialized 2D animation curriculum, a Toon Boom FUKAMELA. Inclusive of the Toon Boom FUKAMELA will be training for the creative leads/trainers. 

Once these creative leads have finished their training, the Toon Boom SHESHISA will launch, an internationally accredited Toon Boom Centre of Excellence.

Feature image via Mama K’s Super Adventure

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