|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
In a room alive with laughter, applause, and the hum of creative energy, Damilola Solesi, founder and CEO of Smid Animation Studio, has reflected on a journey that began fifteen years ago with little more than a laptop, a table, and a dream.
Speaking at the 15th anniversary celebration of the studio held at Alliance Française, Lagos, Damilola’s voice carried both gratitude and excitement, marking a milestone not just for her company but for African animation as a whole.
“We started this journey in 2010,” she said, her tone both reflective and celebratory.
“For a while, we had been planning to do something meaningful, and today, I’m filled with gratitude. Thank you to everyone who made it out to celebrate with us.”
From those humble beginnings in her parents’ study, Smid Animation Studio has grown into a creative powerhouse with a team of over 20 talented individuals, all united by a singular mission: to tell African stories in ways that inspire, nurture talent, and preserve cultural heritage.
She spoke passionately about the studio’s landmark projects, starting with Hadu, an award-winning short film that has travelled to more than 30 festivals worldwide and claimed eight Best Animation accolades.
“We just received our eighth award two weeks ago,” she shared with a gleam of pride, “and we’re so proud of how far the project has come.”
The evening also marked the launch of Keko, a long-awaited animated series adapted from a beloved children’s book series.
“With the help of our partners, we distributed the books to primary schools across Nigeria. Now, we’re excited to bring keko to screens as an animated series.”
Her address was more than a celebration of cinematic achievements; it was a testament to resilience, vision, and the belief in African stories.
“Fifteen years ago, mentioning ‘animation’ in a room like this would draw blank faces,” she said.
“Fifteen years later, the industry has evolved, and so have we.”
She highlighted the studio’s commitment to education and empowerment through initiatives such as the annual Summer Camp, which has been running for nine years, nurturing creativity and inspiring the next generation of animators.
“Many of the kids here today are alumni or regular attendees. Some of our earliest participants are now in colleges, pursuing animation as a career,” she said.
But the camps are not only about training animators; they are about cultivating imagination and critical thinking, essential skills for the future.
She Animates, another of Smid’s pioneering programs, promotes women’s participation and visibility in the animation industry.
Through school visits, workshops, and mentorship, the program has reached over 300 young women, challenging stereotypes and showing that animation is within their reach.
“For a long time, people were surprised to learn I was a woman in animation,” she explained.
“We wanted that shock to stop, and we wanted to take action, not just talk about inclusion.”
In addition, Smid has launched Toontopia, the first-of-its-kind animation festival for children in partnership with the National Theatre.
The festival showcases animated films from across Africa, giving young audiences the chance to see themselves represented on screen.
“Every year, when we ask children about their favourite cartoons, very few mention African or Nigerian projects. That’s something we want to change,” Damilola emphasised.
Adding weight to the celebration, Tola Akerele, the director general of the National Theatre, praised Smid’s commitment to nurturing African stories and emphasising the crucial role of parents and children in embracing storytelling through animation and technology.
“Animation is not just entertainment,” Akerele said. “It is a tool for education, cultural preservation, and identity-building.
Parents should encourage their children to engage with African narratives, while children should see themselves reflected in the stories they consume.”
Akerele also spoke about initiatives his office is implementing to strengthen the creative sector, from supporting festivals like Toontopia to providing training, mentorship, and strategic partnerships that give young animators access to professional opportunities.
“Our goal at the National Theatre is to bridge tradition and technology, ensuring our cultural heritage is celebrated, preserved, and evolved for future generations,” he said.
Throughout the evening, the combined voices of Solesi and Akerele underscored a central theme: African stories have power, purpose, and the ability to inspire.
From Hadu to keko, from Summer Camp to Toontopia and She Animates, every initiative reflects an unwavering belief that storytelling is both a tool for education and a vehicle for cultural preservation.
“Fifteen years later, we’re still driven by the same belief: that African stories matter, creativity is powerful, and together, we can shape the next generation of storytellers,” Damilola said.
