Triggerfish, Africa’s leading animation studio, has partnered with UNESCO to launch The Creator Labs, an ambitious programme designed to empower African women in animation.
This initiative, said a statement, aims to address gender disparities and create a more inclusive, diverse industry by equipping women with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in animation leadership roles.
The Creator Labs, spearheaded by the Triggerfish Foundation and UNESCO, will focus on developing talent through a combination of director and artist labs. These labs will provide participants with access to masterclasses led by award-winning professionals, mentorship sessions and networking opportunities. Training materials will also be made freely available online through the Triggerfish Academy, ensuring access to animation resources across the continent.
Africa’s film and audiovisual industries are flourishing, contributing an estimated USD $5 billion to the continent’s GDP and employing over five million people. However, women—particularly women of color—remain underrepresented in leadership positions.
“Empowering African women in animation is not just a goal; it’s a necessity,” said Carina Lücke, Director of the Triggerfish Foundation. “Through this collaboration with UNESCO, we aim to advance gender equality in animation by prioritizing leadership positions throughout the pipeline. This is about cultivating creativity, dismantling obstacles, and fostering a more inclusive and vibrant industry.”
Ernesto Ottone R, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, emphasised the importance of addressing this gap. “UNESCO’s publication on the African film sector highlighted a major gap in education and training across the continent—disproportionately affecting women. The partnership with Triggerfish Foundation responds directly to this need, providing technical and vocational education to enhance women’s career opportunities in animation and filmmaking.”
The Creator Labs will feature an impressive roster of mentors and contributors, including Ng’endo Mukii, Tshepo Moche, and Caroline Vos (known for their work on Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire), Nadia Darries (Star Wars Visions), and Cinzia Angelini (Hit Pig!). These industry pioneers will provide participants with invaluable guidance to help them excel in their craft.
The labs will consist of two tracks: the Director Lab for aspiring directors and the Animation Art Lab for artists. Both tracks are designed to provide intensive, hands-on training and mentorship, ensuring participants are equipped to take on leadership roles in the animation pipeline.
One of the initiative’s most innovative features is its commitment to accessibility. Training materials developed through the program will be made freely available on the Triggerfish Academy’s online platform, allowing aspiring animators across Africa to benefit, regardless of geographic or financial limitations.
Applications for The Creator Labs opened on December 9, 2024, and will close on January 5, 2025. Selected participants will embark on their training journey in March 2025, with online masterclasses and mentoring sessions running until the end of May 2025.
For those interested in applying, more information is available at Triggerfish Creator Labs.
This groundbreaking partnership marks a new chapter in African animation, with Triggerfish and UNESCO setting the stage for a more inclusive industry that reflects the continent’s diversity. By investing in women, The Creator Labs aims to foster a new generation of leaders who will drive African animation to even greater heights.
Triggerfish, Africa’s most awarded animation studio, is renowned for its work on feature films like Adventures in Zambezia and Seal Team, as well as acclaimed series like Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (Disney+) and Supa Team 4 (Netflix). Its non-profit arm, the Triggerfish Foundation, focuses on creating access to quality animation training and advocating for diversity in the industry. Through partnerships with global giants like Disney, Netflix, and Wacom, the foundation is paving the way for sustainable and inclusive growth in African animation.
Key Dates
– Applications Open: December 9, 2024
– Application Deadline: January 5, 2025
– Online Masterclasses: March – May 2025
Aspiring participants can apply at: https://www.triggerfish.com/academy/creator-labs/
The programme boasts an impressive lineup of contributors, including:
– Ng’endo Mukii
– Tshepo Moche
– Caroline Vos (Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire)
– Cinzia Angelini (Hit Pig!, Mila)
– Nadia Darries (Star Wars Visions Vol. 2)
