MEGA SUCCESS OF ANANSEKROM TOON FESTIVAL - 2ND EDITION; AFRICA'S INTERNATIONAL CARTOON FESTIVAL

Dec 29, 20244 min read

On the 26th of December 2024 (Boxing Day), Parables Animation Studios (PAS), Producers of Ghana's first-ever animated feature film and animation streaming platform (KOLIKO+), and Africa’s first environmental superhero animated series, proudly powered another historical event, the 2ND EDITION of ANANSEKROM TOON FESTIVAL (ATF 2024), having commenced last year as Ghana’s first cartoon festival in commemoration of the tenth (10th) anniversary celebration of PAS’ renowned "Time with Ananse Live On Stage" theatrical shows at the Silverbird cinemas every year, but now widely known as Africa’s International Cartoon Festival, featuring inspiring African artists/cartoonists and their amazing works.

ANANSEKROM TOON FESTIVAL (ATF), is a 2-day festival to celebrate Ananse projects/our folklore using both traditional and modern forms of communication. The event featured art and craft exhibitions and workshops, panel discussions, live folkloric music, poetry and storytelling, animation screenings, puppetry, sip and paint sessions, live caricature drawing, caveman experience and other engaging activities.

The festival was grandly opened with a short opening ceremony at the National Children & Mobile Library – Airport residential area, by Mr. Edward Addo-Yobo, the Regional Director of Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) for Greater Accra, the "Anansekrom Toon Festival" Director, Cycil Jones Abban, and Manager, V.T. Albert Tetteh Amafu, among many other dignitaries and friends from the media.

Right after the opening ceremony, the dignitaries had a quick tour of the event grounds led by V.T. Albert Tetteh. It was a dumbfounding moment for the attendees as they were taken through the various sections of the event grounds displaying exceptional creativity and versatility of various cartoon artists from many African countries including Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Benin, and Cameroon.

Preceding the many activities to be held at the festival grounds was the "Panel of Legends" session, an awe-inspiring discussion with Pierre Anani Accoh (cartoonist & illustrator, Togo), Tunji Anjorin (President of Panaramic Comics, Nigeria), Mr. Edward Addo-Yobo (Regional Director, GhLA), Baah A. Solomon (Socio-political artist, Ghana), Dr. Wale Okediran (Secretary General of Pan-African Writers Association) and many others who joined in from across Africa via zoom. Under the theme, “UNITING AFRICA THROUGH ART”, they shared loads of wisdom with respect to the Past, the Present and the Future of Ghana/Africa's animation and creative industry, spiced up with their life's story and how collaborations are imperative to our unique creative exploits.

The discussion was facilitated by V.T. Albert Tetteh and ended with a fun-filled Question and Answer session. All scheduled activities outdoor and indoor commenced right away and surprisingly, the parents/caretakers of the many children present could not hide their anticipation.

The "Color on My Wall" activity, Sip and Paint, Art/Craft and Animation workshops and screenings, the Caveman Experience (taking everyone back in time in a very dark cave-like room with key details), "Lend Your Voice To Animation" voice contests, Art and Cartoon exhibitions, traditional games among many other exhilarating activities run throughout the daytime.

The animation workshops, facilitated by Parables' Martin Dzakobo (Senior Animator), Caris Tachie-Menson (Animator/illustrator) and Dawud Abdul Mumin (3D Character Designer) were an eye-opening experience for both the young and the old as everyone present had firsthand experience of Stop-Motion Animation and more. Each session was a full house with adults partaking in such. Also, many parents signed up their children for more workshops/activities after the festival.

A special Student Animation Screening session was held for student film producers from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the National Film and Television Institute/University of Media, Arts and Communication. It was super inspiring as parents and stakeholders lauded the students. All parents/guardians were encouraged to keep exposing their children to the worthy contents produced within Ghana and the African continent.

The festival was crowned with electrifying night-time performances of Live Folkloric Music and Poetry, Storytelling by the fireside coupled with drama and dazzling display of puppetry and musical narratives dubbed, “Time with Ananse Live On Stage”. Preceding these, were the special award segments where the top three (3) winners of all the day’s contests and workshops were given lovely prize packages from Indomie Ghana, ‘Let’s Be Kids’ and other partners. The presentations were done by Hiram Geraldo (Marketing Executive - Indomie Ghana). Major animated feature film screenings and discussions were not left out among other outstanding displays of art.

The very peculiar nature of the 'Anansekrom Toon Festival' was quite astonishing to all who joined in these historic moments in our motherland, Ghana. Above all, the festival was super fun for children and adults alike with something unique for people of all ages, and promises to be greater in its next. An unforgettable experience it was! Africa, get ready!!

ATF 2024 is proudly powered by Parables Animation Studios (@Parables_Gh) in partnership with the GHANA LIBRARY AUTHORITY, sponsored mainly by INDOMIE GHANA and with the support of the EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND IN GHANA. Officially endorsed by the GHANA TOURISM AUTHORITY "Beyond The Return" Initiative.

MEDIA PARTNERS: ATV Ghana, Ameyaw Debrah, TV Africa, GTV, OnlineTimes GH, Graphic Communication Group, GhanaWeb, World News Update, Junior Graphic…