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The second edition of the Anansekrom Toon Festival, Africa’s International Cartoon Festival, concluded in grand style, marking another successful celebration of creativity and talent. Held on December 26, 2024 (Boxing Day), in the vibrant city of Accra, this year’s festival witnessed an impressive turnout of artists, enthusiasts, and visitors from across the continent and beyond.
Parables Animation Studios (PAS), the producers of Ghana’s first-ever animated feature film, the animation streaming platform KOLIKO+, and Africa’s first environmental superhero animated series, proudly powered the 2nd edition of ANANSEKROM TOON FESTIVAL (ATF 2024). This event, which started last year as Ghana’s first cartoon festival, commemorated the tenth anniversary of PAS’ renowned “Time with Ananse Live On Stage” theatrical shows at the Silverbird cinemas. Now widely known as Africa’s International Cartoon Festival, it features inspiring African artists and their amazing works.
A Celebration of Folklore and Creativity
The ANANSEKROM TOON FESTIVAL (ATF) is a two-day festival celebrating Ananse projects and African folklore using both traditional and modern forms of communication. The event included art and craft exhibitions, workshops, panel discussions, live folkloric music, poetry and storytelling, animation screenings, puppetry, sip and paint sessions, live caricature drawing, a caveman experience, and other engaging activities.
The festival commenced with an opening ceremony at the National Children & Mobile Library in the Airport residential area. Mr. Edward Addo-Yobo, the Regional Director of the Ghana Library Authority (GhLA) for Greater Accra, Cycil Jones Abban, the Director of the Anansekrom Toon Festival, and V.T. Albert Tetteh Amafu, the Manager, alongside other dignitaries and media friends, officially launched the event.
Following the opening ceremony, dignitaries toured the event grounds, led by V.T. Albert Tetteh. Attendees were astounded by the exceptional creativity and versatility of cartoon artists from various African countries, including Congo, Kenya, Nigeria, Benin, and Cameroon.
Panel of Legends and Engaging Activities
One of the highlights of the festival was the “Panel of Legends” session, an awe-inspiring discussion featuring 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 others who joined via Zoom. Under the theme “UNITING AFRICA THROUGH ART,” they shared wisdom on the past, present, and future of Ghana and Africa’s animation and creative industry. The discussion, facilitated by V.T. Albert Tetteh, concluded with a lively Q&A session.
The festival also featured a range of activities, including “Color on My Wall,” Sip and Paint, Art/Craft and Animation workshops, screenings, the Caveman Experience, “Lend Your Voice To Animation” contests, art and cartoon exhibitions, and traditional games.
Animation workshops led by Parables’ Martin Dzakobo (Senior Animator), Caris Tachie-Menson (Animator/illustrator), and Dawud Abdul Mumin (3D Character Designer) provided a firsthand experience of Stop-Motion Animation and more. These sessions were well-attended, and many parents signed up their children for future workshops.
Special Screenings and Awards
A special Student Animation Screening session showcased works by 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. This inspiring session was praised by parents and stakeholders, encouraging them to continue exposing their children to worthy content produced in Ghana and Africa.
The festival concluded with memorable nighttime performances of live folkloric music and poetry, storytelling by the fireside, drama, and a dazzling display of puppetry and musical narratives in “Time with Ananse Live On Stage.” The top three winners of the day’s contests and workshops received prizes from Indomie Ghana and other partners, presented by Hiram Geraldo (Marketing Executive – Indomie Ghana). Major animated feature film screenings and discussions were also part of the festivities.
An Unforgettable Experience
The unique nature of the Anansekrom Toon Festival amazed all who attended, providing something special for people of all ages. The festival was a resounding success, promising an even greater experience next year. Africa, get ready!
ATF 2024 was proudly powered by Parables Animation Studios (@Parables_Gh) in partnership with the Ghana Library Authority, sponsored mainly by Indomie Ghana, and supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in Ghana. It was officially endorsed by the Ghana Tourism Authority’s “Beyond The Return” initiative.
MEDIA PARTNERS: ATV Ghana, Ameyaw Debrah, TV Africa, GTV, OnlineTimes GH, Graphic Communication Group, GhanaWeb, World News Update, Junior Graphic…
Anansekrom Toon Festival: Africa’s International Cartoon Festival. @AnansekromToonFestival on all socials, X (formerly Twitter): @AnanseToonFest anansekromtoonfestival@gmail.com +233265068758
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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
