By Kevin Kriedemann
Published June 12, 2021
Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Market (Mifa), whose 60th edition focuses on African animation, has awarded Triggerfish Animation Studios of South Africa its Animation Industry Award 2021.
“In this year of celebrating African animation, we wanted to extol the work of an African studio, a genuine trail-blazer of animation in its home country. Its journey in just a few years resulted in the production and shooting of series and feature films which have already earned a constellation of prizes. The studio has helped train talents in South Africa and throughout the African continent, structuring an industry to give all its professionals support. We are overjoyed to bestow this prize on Triggerfish Animation Studios. Congratulations to Stuart Forrest and his entire team!” says Véronique Encrenaz, Head of Mifa.
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Triggerfish’s first two films, Adventures in Zambezia and Khumba, sold nine million cinema tickets globally. Triggerfish also produced the upcoming 2021 feature, Seal Team, and animated the Academy Award®-nominated, Roald Dahl adaptation, Revolting Rhymes, as well as much-loved Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler adaptations such as the 2021 Annie Awards winner, The Snail and the Whale, 2020 International Emmy winner Zog, the BAFTA-nominated and Annecy-winning Stick Man, and the Rose d’Or-winning The Highway Rat, all produced by Magic Light Pictures.
Triggerfish has not only helped in the setting up of key pillars of the animation industry in South Africa–like the industry association AnimationSA; the showcase and networking event AnimationXchange; and The Cape Town International Animation Festival, originally called Kunjanimation–but also runs the Triggerfish Academy and the pan-African talent search Triggerfish Story Lab that has already seen two series for the world stage: Mama K’s Team 4 for Netflix and Kiya for eOne, Disney Junior and Disney+.
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“I feel so proud,” says Mike Buckland, head of production at Triggerfish. “Sometimes you need a speech and a rabbit to remind yourself of how much you appreciate your partners and your team. Thanks to everyone who’s helped get us where we are.”
“We’ve been very fortunate to come of age in a time when the world really is looking for other voices,” says Stuart Forrest, CEO of the Cape Town-based Triggerfish Animation Studios. “We know animation has a unique ability to cross boundaries, so we’re so excited to share the new wave of groundbreaking African creatives with the world.”
Annecy’s hybrid edition–which runs June 14 – 19 in Annecy, France–features Triggerfish prominently across the screenings and sessions.
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Khumba and Stick Man are two of the closing night films on June 19, 2021. Stick Man won the Cristal for Best TV Production at Annecy in 2016, while Khumba competed for Best Film at Annecy in 2013. Also screening is Belly Flop, a closing night short film at Annecy 2018, which went on to win 15 awards around the world. It’s part of Annecy’s African Animation, Today anthology, a selection of 11 contemporary animations from South Africa, Ethiopia, Ghana and the Congo.
Annecy is on June 17 presenting a Focus Session on Triggerfish, looking back at Triggerfish’s 25 year journey since opening in Cape Town in 1996. The studio shall discuss its experience opening its first international office in Galway, Ireland in 2020, and share a sneak peek at its upcoming feature, Seal Team.
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Triggerfish is also partnering with Women in Animation (WIA) on the 2021 Women In Animation World Summit on the theme ‘The Business Case For Diversity’ that is scheduled for June 14 and at which Triggerfish will present a panel on African creators in animation, a conversation with African women taking centre stage with shows they have created, written, and directed. The session will feature the likes of Mama K’s Team 4 creator Malenga Mulendema, Kiya co-creator Kelly Dillon, Triggerfish development executive Tendayi Nyeke, and Triggerfish collaborators Omotunde Akiode (Nigeria) and Ng’endo Mukii (Kenya).
Triggerfish Foundation director Carina Lücke will also take part in a WIA World Summit panel on Alternative Career Paths and Opportunities for Talent.
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Jinko Gotoh,Vice President of WIA, says: “We must democratize animation on all fronts: education, art, technology, and industry. Along those lines, we are thrilled to partner with Triggerfish to present this year’s Summit, as they have been doing such tremendous work over the years to diversify storytelling and bring better representation to the African animation industry.”
“We’re honoured to be partnering with WIA on this important summit,” says Triggerfish producer Vanessa Sinden. “Triggerfish has a vision for a world where stories are predominantly told and created by the people the stories belong to, and WIA’s work in gender inclusivity and diversity takes huge steps towards that goal, particularly as it applies to the continent of Africa.”
A Wacom Live Session will explore Troll Girl, Kay Carmichael’s upcoming short film with Giantslayer Studios and Triggerfish, with a special focus on its use of the Blender Grease Pencil, on June 15.
