Animation film festival 2023 receives 1,088 entries from 111 countries
LIFANIMA Festival Director and CEO of USP Brand Management, Muyiwa Kayode (right) with Embassy of France Audio Visual Attaché, Christophe Pecot; Dami Solesi of SMIDS Animation, and Adebimpe Adebambo
By Editor
SUBMISSION for the Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA) 2023 edition has now closed, with a total of 1088 entries received from 111 countries, including 24 African countries. The is the highest participation of African countries since the festival started in 2016, LIFANIMA organizers, USP Brand Management have announced. The top five countries with the highest number of entries are United States, United Kingdom, Nigeria, India and Brazil. In the various categories, 2D Animation recorded the highest number of entries with 637 submissions.
LIFANIMA, which has grown to become the second largest animation film festival in Africa, is presented in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Embassy of France in Nigeria. The film festival is endorsed by the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board (LSFVCB). The festival holds from October 24 through 26, 2023 at Mike Adenuga/Alliance Francaise Cultural Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
“We are highly excited by the steady growth of this festival and the amazing potential of African animation for which LIFANIMA provides an amazing platform,” says Muyiwa Kayode, Festival Director and Creator of the multiple award-winning animation series, TURTLE TAIDO.
A new addition to the festival this year is an animation workshop specially designed for aspiring animators currently undergoing training. Animation specialists and consultants will be on hand to facilitate the workshop. Over the years, LIFANIMA has seen a steady increase in submission of films across the categories of 2D animation, 3D animation, animation commercials, visual effects and Stop Motion, which was added in 2021.
“Animation offers a strong platform for youth empowerment and development of fresh talent,” says the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mrs. Bukola Agbaminoja. “This creative genre is the next big thing and Lagos State is positioned to play a lead role in this development while also giving our youths new tools of creative expression and income earning power.”
The film animation festival will feature screening of selected works, award presentation, networking and entertainment, and will attract animators both local and foreign, filmmakers, investors, financial institutions, advertising agencies, musical video producers, media practitioners, digital marketing professionals, government agencies, information technology companies and manufacturers and the general public.
