Animation Days: In Partnership With The Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF)
At Animation Days, presented in partnership with the Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF), we’re looking beyond how animation is made to what it takes to build a sustainable industry around it.
From financing and studio growth to commissioning, distribution, audience development and African IP, the programme brings together creators and industry leaders to unpack the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of African animation.
Expect panels, workshops, screenings and networking sessions designed to move the conversation from talent to industry.
Join us at DFM, 9–12 October 2026.
“Animation is often talked about as if the only question is whether Africa has the talent,” says Dianne Makings, Festival Director of CTIAF. “We know we have the talent. The bigger question is what happens next; who commissions the work, who finances it, who builds the studios, who develops the audiences and how do we create an industry that allows African creators to keep making African stories.” “African animation does not need to prove that it has creative potential. The opportunity now is to build the conditions around that creativity; so that studios can grow, creators can take risks, audiences can find the work and African intellectual property can be developed on African terms.”
Innovate. Animate. Elevate: From Cape Town Studio to Global Market. No single studio builds a global animation hub alone — a cluster does. Studio leaders discuss what it takes to turn Cape Town’s mix of outsourcing, IP and hybrid studios into a real cluster, featuring perspectives from UNDP Timbuktoo Creatives Hub, Digital Frontiers and Triggerfish Foundation.
Beyond the Festival Circuit: Who Is Watching African Animation? A look at the full pipeline from commissioning and production to distribution and audience development for African animation. Panellists include Michael Engwema (SABC), Hamid Ibrahim (Kugali Media), Thandeka Zwana (Indigenous Pictures) and Veronique Encrenaz (MIFA, Annecy Animated Film Festival). The session will be moderated by Bill Masuku (Enigma Comix)
Authenticity vs. Universality: Who Wants Our Stories? Four creators discuss where they hold the line between authenticity and commercial viability. Panellists include, Shofela Coker, Bill Masuku (Enigma Comix), Jeani Varty (Animated 4 You), Lola Aikens (Tshimologong Precinct). The session will be moderated by Tshepo Moche (Play Nice Pictures)
Small Studios, Big Stories: Can Independent Animation Be a Business? Exploring whether a sustainable independent animation industry can be built around modest-budget, distinctive, beautifully crafted films. Panellists include Nadia Darries (Goon Valley Animation), Joel Matladi (Black Native Studios), Renee van Reenan. The session will be moderated by Esther Pearl (Nell Productions).
Building Africa’s Animation Ecosystem: From Talent to Industry. How to connect Africa’s training institutions, studios and freelancers into a coordinated, globally competitive industry infrastructure. Panellists include, Nadine Cloete (NFVF), Bussani Magwaza (K-Cap Kwamashu), Hanyani Sono (SABC), Anthony Silverston (Triggerfish), Kelly Walker (Educator and Academic). The session will be moderated by Joy Mawela (KanoLethabo Productions)
Beyond the Screen: Building Worlds Across Film, Gaming and Immersive Entertainment. Exploring the common ground between film, animation, gaming and immersive experiences in world-building, character and narrative. Leading the panel is Rick Treweek (Virtual Worlds Company) who recently won a Primetime Emmy for his work Uncanny Alley: A New Day alongside Jean-Luc Chapell (Free Lives), Eric Gardiner (Vetkoek Studios). The session will be moderated by Wako Sefaro (Note to Mag: Her new surname is Dube. Has she expressed to be rather called Sefaro?)
Too Big for Grants, Too Small for Investors: The Missing Middle. What the missing middle of animation financing looks like, and the roadmap for studios moving from small teams to scalable, commercially viable businesses. Panellists include John Giwa-Amu (GoodGate Media), Erica Motley (Impact X Capital Partners), Isaac Mogojane (Diprente), Nick Cloete (Mindseye Creative).
The session will be moderated by Dianne Makings (Fancy Horse Studios) Grit and Resilience: The Journey of Never Giving Up. Industry professionals discuss the value of perseverance, lessons learned from setbacks, and the realities of sustaining independent creative animation projects. Panellists include Erentia Bedecker (Wreckless), Nildo Essá
(FX animations and Post Production Studios), Claire Louis (Katanimate Animation Studio), Esther Pearl (Nell Productions). The session will be moderated by Halima Essá.
Turning Towards Each Other: A WATA Creative Workshop. An interactive workshop bringing women in African animation and gaming together to look beyond the usual industry conversations and towards each other. The workshop will be hosted by Kumbi Chitenderu, Tshepo Moche (Play Nice Pictures) and Kaydee de Villiers (Ferin Animation)
The programme will also include Screening: Best of CTIAF 2026 — African Roots Selection Vol. 1 & 2 and Inside Animation: Meet the Studios (Networking Session). A fast-paced introduction to the animation production process, followed by the opportunity to meet representatives from local and Pan African animation studios.
Secure your place in
the sun
Join 1,300+ international delegates in Durban this October.
The 17th edition of Durban FilmMart is funded by the Durban Film Office, eThekwini Municipality, Ford Foundation, the
National Film and Video Foundation and IEFTF.
Questions? Drop a WhatsApp message.
For press enquiries, please contact:
Sharlene Versfeld | Publicist | [email protected]
Durban FilmMart Institute is the business hub of the African film industry in a world where African professionals and content are globally competitive and celebrated. The mission of the Durban FilmMart Institute is to provide appropriate and effective programmes and services to promote, support and facilitate investment in the African film industry. The Durban FilmMart Institute runs year-round developmental programmes and an annual market (Durban FilmMart). The DFMI is the custodian of Filmmart.africa which is an online tool for filmmakers to connect and which we hope will enhance visibility for African content.