Triggerfish and UNESCO Partner to Empower African Women in Animation

Triggerfish, Africa’s leading animation studio, has joined forces with UNESCO to launch “The Creator Labs,” a transformative initiative designed to empower African women in the animation sector.

The partnership, announced on December 9, 2024, seeks to address gender imbalances in the rapidly growing African audiovisual industry, which contributes an estimated $5 billion to the continent’s GDP and employs over 5 million people.

Despite the industry’s growth, women, particularly women of color, remain underrepresented in leadership roles. Recognizing this gap, Triggerfish’s non-profit foundation and UNESCO have developed a comprehensive capacity-building program to foster inclusivity and elevate women in animation.

“Empowering African women in animation is not just a goal; it’s a necessity,” said Carina Lücke, Director of Triggerfish Foundation. “By prioritizing leadership positions throughout the pipeline, we’re dismantling obstacles to create a more diverse industry.”

The Creator Labs initiative will include two specialized programs: a Director Lab for aspiring directors and an Animation Art Lab for artists. Participants will benefit from masterclasses led by award-winning professionals, small group mentorship sessions, and networking opportunities. The labs aim to equip women with the skills and confidence to thrive in leadership roles within the animation sector.

UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, Ernesto Ottone R, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Our partnership with Triggerfish Foundation addresses critical gaps in education and training that disproportionately affect women in Africa. Through technical and vocational education in animation production, we aim to enhance career opportunities for women in TV and filmmaking.”

Training materials developed through the labs will be freely available online via the Triggerfish Academy, ensuring accessibility for aspiring African creatives across the continent. Esteemed contributors, including Ng’endo Mukii, Nadia Darries, and Cinzia Angelini, will guide participants, drawing from their extensive experience in projects like “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” (Disney+), “Star Wars: Visions” (Lucasfilm), and “Hit Pig!”

Applications for The Creator Labs open on December 9, 2024, and close on January 5, 2025. The program will run from March to May 2025. Interested applicants can learn more and apply at Triggerfish Academy.

This partnership builds on Triggerfish’s nearly three decades of experience in animation and UNESCO’s dedication to promoting gender equality and cultural diversity. Together, they aim to inspire a new wave of African talent, amplifying diverse voices and stories in the global animation landscape.

Triggerfish Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Triggerfish, focuses on bringing animation to underserved communities and fostering a sustainable, inclusive industry. It collaborates with major industry players like Disney, Netflix, and Wacom to provide quality training and educational content across Africa.

Triggerfish is Africa’s largest and most awarded animation studio, with a portfolio that includes acclaimed feature films like “Adventures in Zambezia” and “Seal Team”, as well as groundbreaking TV series like “Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire” (Disney+) and “Supa Team 4” (Netflix).