Nigerian Animator Earns Nominations at Annie Awards for Sci-Fi “Moremi”

Renowned Nigerian animation filmmaker Shofela Coker has achieved a remarkable feat with three nominations at the esteemed 51st Annie Awards with his Yoruba inspired animation é “Moremi”.

Serving as the illustrative art director, Coker’s work on the Yoruba-inspired sci-fi animation “Moremi,” the fifth episode of Disney Plus’ 10-part Kizazi Moto series, has garnered recognition in three categories: Best Direction, Best Character Animation, and Best FX TV/Media.

The winners will be unveiled at the awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles.

“Moremi,” a Disney original, is a collaborative effort by animators from Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt. This Yoruba-inspired sci-fi animation explores themes of technological advancement, extraterrestrials, spirits, and monsters, providing a unique perspective on Africa.

Co-authored by Vanessa Kanu, the Moremi episode unfolds the tale of Luo, a solitary spirit boy ensnared in a spirit realm plagued by menacing giants. The narrative takes a captivating turn as Moremi, voiced by Nigerian actress Kehinde Bankole, a particle physicist from Nigeria, comes to Luo’s rescue, aiding him in reconnecting with lost memories.

Debuting at the Zuma Festival in Abuja on Dec. 4, 2023, “Moremi” had its premiere at the Filmhouse Landmark Cinemas in Lagos on Dec. 6, 2023, in collaboration with the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

Notably, the Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire series, to which “Moremi” belongs, received a nomination in the Children and Youth category at the international Rose d’Or awards held on Nov. 27, 2023, at the King’s Palace in London. The winners for this accolade will be announced on the same evening as the Annie Awards, on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024.