The shortlisted projects (in no particular order) were:
- Broken Wing represented by Riccardo Capecchi (SA)
- Zamo & The Guppies represented by Warwick Kay (SA)
- Dimbit represented by Feben Elias (Ethiopia)
- Unwanted Guests represented by Comfort Arthur (Ghana)
- My Friendly Tokoloshe represented by Khanye Mfeka (SA)
- Hiraeth represented by Kayla Archer (SA)
- Almasi Project represented by Mwara Kung’u (Kenya)
In the end the judges decision was unanimous and the 2 projects selected to compete in the continental final at DISCOMICS Joburg (in no particular order) are:
My Friendly Tokoloshe represented by Khanye Mfeka (SA)
Hiraeth represented by Kayla Archer (SA)
EXPANDED FOOTPRINT:
DISCOP Zanzibar, aligned with the Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) which has been described as the largest cultural event in East Africa, was the third of 5 events in Africa that is hosting a regional round of the Annecy – MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde. An expanded footprint of events is made possible through a partnership with DISCOMICS. DISCOMICS is a new enterprise founded by DISCOP Markets and AAN in partnership with ICON CGC, Lagos Comic Con (LCC) and Nairobi Comic Con (NAICCON).
2 projects will be selected from each event and invited to attend the continental Grand Finale at DISCOMICS Joburg (14-17 November):
NAICCON, Nairobi, Kenya, 11 August – 12 August (NB: Entries open 04 July & close 3 August: register HERE)
LCC, Lagos, Nigeria, 15 September (NB: Entries open 24 July & close 31 August: register HERE)
At the Grand Finale at DISCOMICS Joburg 2 projects will be selected to represent Africa and compete against their global counterparts at Annecy/MIFA 2019. A high percentage of projects that are pitched at Annecy/MIFA go on to secure finance and/or co-production partners. Ingrid Agbo’s L’arbre à Palimpseste the project which represented Africa at Annecy/MIFA 2018, went on to close a pre-sale with Gulli Africa for a series.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT:
Perhaps the biggest value for entrants who proceed to the Grand Finale at DISCOMICS Joburg is the Annecy MIFA – Animation du Monde – Skills Programme which includes pitching workshops, training sessions and one-on-one meetings with 3 industry experts selected by Annecy/MIFA ahead of the Grand Finale.