Isabelle Rorke

Isabelle Rorke is a pioneer of South African animation. As founder of Anamazing Workshop (2000–2010), the first animation studio of its kind, she developed an internship scaling strategy supported by top professional animators. The studio was named Most Innovative Company in Africa at the Africa Growth Institute Awards and won the SAFTA for Best Animation for its internship-driven anthology of short African films, alongside the Gauteng Economic Development Women in Film Award and the DTI Women in Technology Award. It was also one of only two South African finalists at the Pan African Pioneer of Prosperity Awards in Rwanda. Her collaboration with Morula Pictures launched her animation TV series career. As associate producer of the first 3D animation of African folk tales, she spearheaded international co-productions, including a South Africa–Canada partnership and the tri-production with India for Magic Cellar, raising funding for young black and female animators to train and work on the production in India. Magic Cellar won 29 global awards. She has lectured on value chain innovation at Wits University and presented at the SACO Conference. As AnimationSA’s former Deputy Chair, she designed the Broadcast Readiness Incubator, creating 150 jobs during the pandemic. She now heads Dreamforge Creative as sole owner and Executive Producer.