26/05/2025
Last week, represented by our two powerhouse ladies, Ebele Okoye and Katarina Gulan , we had our Marché du Film - Festival de Cannes debut, supporting our new partners, Afriques, the official African platform at the Marché du Film.
➡️In an interview, CNN’s Thomas Page asked “Why do you support events like this?” The answer was simple.
It goes back to a personal vow, made by Ebele when her dream of gaining animation knowledge felt like chasing shadows. She promised that if she ever broke through, she would bring back what she learned and help build the industry.
That vow shaped our roots, starting with Media Lab under our former name , and fast forward to the present; to the Sound, and -Jolly Girls' Animation Training; each laying bricks for the next generation of talents, while we continue to render financial and technical support to some others outside the program. (You don’t have to swim in money to help another in need) We all know that even a psychologists need a shrink as well… right?
➡️Hence, today, as the industry gains momentum through wider opportunities from sources including Women In Animation( WIA), Triggerfish, Durban FilmMart SA, Berlinale Talents Festival international du film d'animation d'Annecy (etc), we, -without abandoning individual talents- now lean heavily toward supporting those shaping the broader ecosystem; ... on which note we supported the inaugural edition of AfroBerlin in 2024, extending that support this year 2025, to its sister event, AfroCannes.
🎯However, most significant is our partnership with Pavillon Afriques.
Our role? We handled majority of the interior panels and kakemonos of the Pavillon, as well as their official announcement video, with Katarina Gulan lending her professional voice as well.
➡️The joy of seeing our work fill the Pavillon, serving as a backdrop to so many industry events and interactions is hard to put into words. As a female-led boutique studio, deliberate about where we put our energy, this collaboration reminded us of what’s possible when respect, shared values, and vision align.
To Karine Barclais, Paula C., Chike Nwoffiah, Lisa Osinloye and the ENTIRE Pavillon Afriques team; Thank you for a beautiful event!
To everyone else, whom we met or reconnected with; let’s keep building.
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