Festival empowers budding artists

Pupils listen attentively to top animators sharing their experience and skills.

Pupils from different high schools listened attentively to professional animation artists as they shared their expertise and skills when the Cape Town International Animation Festival held a three-day mini animation festival at Isivivana Centre, in Khayelitsha, from Friday March 2 until Sunday March 4.

Pupils from Chris Hani High School, in Khayelitsha, and Cedar High School, in Mitchell’s Plain, attended the event.

Top animators Shuzo John Shiota, from Japan; Simangaliso Sibaya and Terence Maluleka Dipreate took part in the festival.

Pupils were encouraged to sketch while the three mentors assisted them.

Festival director Dianne Makings, said the festival presented a platform to engage with global industry leaders in a series of insightful workshops, talks and panel discussions.

Ms Makings said, among other things, the festival enabled artists to launch their careers.

“We had stellar line-up of speakers, featuring some of the best creative minds in the animation industry. We want to encourage South Africans to explore their creativity. And creativity is going to be in demand in the future.

“We want parents as well to understand the world of animation and see its value. In many instances people do not understand that their children could make a decent living out of art.

“Through the festival we are giving South Africans a chance to learn from and mingle with renowned artists. We want to be a game-changer in the arts industry,” she said.

Mr Shiota said such festivals play a vital role in enhancing the skills of budding artists and afford them an opportunity to interact with well known animators. He believes the festival gives budding artists confidence to pursue the opportunity of becoming professional animators.

He said the industry was still young and there were lots of opportunities that could be unlocked for the next generation.

“What people are doing here is different to what we are doing there. We use different colours and texts. But we share a common thing which is love of the art. This industry requires a lot of different talent and skills. And each and every one of them has the great potential to become professional animators,” he said.

Former Matthew Goniwe High pupil, Andile Nqabelele, said he was grateful that he had been among the group of budding artists to be part of this festival. He said he has learnt a lot and he now sees himself creating numerous animations.