African Animation Network’s Press Release, Johannesburg, SA, 3 May 2017

On the back of the partnership between DISCOP Markets, the African Animation Network (AAN) and Annecy International Animated Film Festival & Market/MIFA (Annecy/MIFA) to present the Annecy - MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde competition, Digital Lab Africa (DLA) is confirmed as the naming partner of the Digital Lab Africa - Animation Transmedia category.

DLA will reward the best transmedia project overall (after the Grand Finale of the Annecy - MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde at DISCOP Johannesburg and regardless of the winning transmedia project placing in the top 2) automatic entry into the DLA#2 pitch competition final at DISCOP Abidjan 2018. This winning transmedia project will then get a chance to win the DLA prize money for the transmedia category and a tailored mentorship programme with leading French experts and companies in transmedia.

“At AAN we’re very excited about the opportunities being offered by DLA. One needs only point to the success of last year’s DLA#1 pitching competition and the value that it has added to the winners, to understand the significance of this partnership”. Said Nick Wilson, Project Manager of AAN.

At DLA#1, in 2016, Ayodele Elegba and his animated web series project, Area Daddy (Nigeria), won the DLA transmedia category. As part of the DLA mentorship programme, in June 2017, he will be taking up a residency in France and will attend Annecy/MIFA 2017 through the MIFA Campus’ program as speaker on the panel The African Challenge: How to Spot and Support Africa’s Talent, moderated by Frederic Chambon.

At DISCOP Johannesburg 2016, DLA partnered with The Animation Lounge, the precursor to the African Animation Network. Frederic Chambon, Producer of DLA and Regional Head of Media & Film at the French Embassy in South Africa, had the following to say; “We’re happy to be continuing this partnership with the African animation industry. Furthermore, we’re excited about the quality of projects that will be unearthed through this partnership and the opportunities that will be awarded to the winner of the Digital Lab Africa - Animation Transmedia category.”

Géraldine Baché, Head of Special Projects MIFA, continued; “Annecy/MIFA is excited to continue this journey to unearth the hidden talents in Africa in partnership with DLA and AAN.”

A call for projects for DLA#2 will be launched at DISCOP Johannesburg 2017, whilst animation creators and producers are invited to submit their projects for the various Annecy - MIFA Pitches Animation du Monde categories for DISCOP Abidjan & Johannesburg 2017. Submissions close on the 9th of May 2017.