Lagos Festival of Animation ready for 3-day event, starts 25th October

For the first time, the Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA), which is slated for 25th to 27th October, will hold at two locations – Freedom Park on Lagos Island; and Mike Adenuga Centre at Alliance Francaise, Ikoyi.

LIFANIMA, which has grown to become the second largest animation film festival in Africa, is proudly supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and endorsed by the state Film and Video Censors Board. It is also supported by the Embassy of France in Nigeria.

“LIFANIMA provides the platform for development of African animation and rapid growth of the animation film industry”, the Festival Director, Muyiwa Kayode said. Kayode is also the creator of the multiple award-winning animation series, Turtle Taido.

Over the years, LIFANIMA has witnessed a steady increase in submission of films across the categories of 2D Animation, 3D Animation, Animation Commercials, Visual Effects, and Stop Motion Animation, which was added last year.

“Animation offers a strong platform for youth empowerment and development of fresh talent. 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,” according to the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mrs Bukola Agbaminoja.

The festival received 1,096 films from more than 100 countries, 136 of which have been selected to be screened at the 3-Day Festival.

The festival will feature Screening of Selected Works, Award Presentation, Networking and Entertainment, and will attract local and foreign animators, film makers, investors, financial institutions, advertising agencies, musical video producers, media practitioners, digital marketing professionals, government agencies, and information technology companies/manufacturers, among others.