Lagos – Nigeria was the stage for a groundbreaking event—the Afro Women in Animation Festival, Africa’s first women-focused animation gathering. Hosted by the Afro Women in Animation Community, the festival concluded International Women’s Month with over 350 in-person attendees and a wide virtual audience from Africa, Europe, and North America. This dynamic event highlighted female leadership, creativity, and the future of animation on the continent.
The festival commenced with “Breaking Barriers: Women Leading the Animation Industry,” where leading creatives shared insights on advancing in the industry. Damilola Solesi (SMIDS Animation) spoke about staying innovative and collaborative. Comfort Arthur (The Comfy Studio, UK) encouraged newcomers to start small and seek mentorship. Omoyefe Majoroh (Blac Onyx Studios) emphasised the significance of community.
Following that, the session titled “Animation for Social Change: Telling Stories That Matter” focused on storytelling as a tool for influence. Vanessa Sinden (Triggerfish, SA) advocated for authenticity in African narratives. Omotunde Akiode (Nigerian screenwriter) called for relatable children’s content, while Mounia Aram (France) urged for improved funding and distribution. Moderated by Zainab Balami, the session sparked powerful conversations.
A panel discussion on “Accelerate Action: Driving Change for Women Across Industries” occurred. The panellists addressed leadership, self-care, and growth strategies. Ikpongke Sotiloye (Prime Atlantic) emphasised relationship-building, Funto Ibuoye (Five28) championed rest as a productivity tool, and Mercy John-Egwu (Chatouiller) shared tips on scaling through structure. Korede Johnson of Basement Animation moderated the panel.
Powered by Basement Animation, Blac Onyx, Animation Nigeria, and partners including SIFA and the French Embassy, the festival proved that women are not just part of Africa’s animation future—they’re leading it.
