In a bid to assist ladies overcome obstacles and encourage social change within the animation trade, the Afro Girls in Animation Group hosted Africa’s first ever women-focused animation competition in Lagos on March 22, 2025, concluding a week-long celebration of Worldwide Girls’s Month.
The extremely anticipated occasion introduced collectively prime feminine animation trade professionals and leaders from throughout Africa, Europe, and North America, drawing over 350 in-person attendees and a fair bigger on-line viewers.
The competition featured impactful discussions on breaking obstacles, animation for social change, and accelerating profession development for girls within the trade.
The primary panel session, ‘Breaking Boundaries: Girls Main the Animation Business,’ had inspiring private experiences and insights on navigating management roles as feminine leaders.
Damilola Solesi, CEO, SMIDS Animation Studio, inspired staying forward of trade traits, steady studying, and collaboration amongst ladies as a substitute of competitors. Consolation Arthur, Founder, The Cozy Studio, UK, inspired feminine animators to start out small and put their work on the market whereas additionally calling on established professionals to mentor newcomers.
Omoyefe Majoroh, Artistic Producer, Blac Onyx Studios highlighted the significance of getting a robust, supportive group to navigate the challenges of the trade.
The session was moderated by Ukpeme Uwakwe, Head of Improvement, Basement Animation Studio. Throughout the second session, “Animation for Social Change: Telling Tales That Matter,” the panelists mentioned the ability of animation in shaping narratives and driving social influence.
Vanessa Sinden, Senior Producer, Triggerfish Animation, South Africa, urged African animators to embrace authenticity. Omotunde Akiode, award-winning screenwriter, Nigeria, burdened the significance of relatable content material for African kids. And Mounia Aram, founder, Mounia Aram Firm, France referred to as for higher funding and distribution help from governments and broadcasters for African animation content material.
The session was moderated by Zainab Balami, founder Zazou Manufacturing Works, Uk. The ultimate session, ‘Speed up Motion: Driving Change for Girls Throughout Industries,’ targeted on management, profession development, and key insights for balancing a number of roles whereas constructing profitable careers.
Panelists Ikpongke Sotiloye, Basic Supervisor, HR, Prime Atlantic Restricted), emphasised embracing each part of life and nurturing relationships for long-term advantages; Funto Ibuoye (CEO, Five28, highlighted the necessity for normal relaxation and self care as a method for maximizing productiveness; whereas Mercy John-Egwu, Head Designer, Chatouiller Identified how having well-structured operations and methods enable for scaling, as delegation frees time for core actions.
The session was moderated by Korede Johnson, COO Basement Animation Studio.
Past discussions, the competition linked attendees with main animation studios and coaching academies resembling Basement Academy, Magic Lab Academy, OrangeVFX Coaching, and Terra Academy for the Arts, providing unique reductions on ability acquisition packages and programs.
Creativity took heart stage with a spoken phrase efficiency by Jessica Udeh and screenings of female-led brief movies showcasing rising expertise from the continent.
Afro Girls in Animation Fest 2025 was extra than simply an occasion, it was a turning level for Africa’s animation trade, demonstrating its potential on the worldwide stage with ladies main the cost.
The competition was in partnership with Basement Animation, Blac Onyx, and Animation Nigeria, with help from the Abilities Initiative for Africa – Monetary Company (SIFA) and the French Embassy.
The Afro Girls in Animation Group is open to new members, providing mentorship and entry to international alternatives for feminine animators.
