Department of Graphic Design attends Animafrik (Animation) Festival

A four-member team of lecturers and students from the Department of Graphic Design attended a  three day animation festival dubbed Animafrik Festival at the Goethe Institute in Accra from May 31, 2018 to June 2, 2018.

A group photograph of participants from the Department of Graphic Design, UEW

In his Welcome Address, the Festival Director, Mr. Samuel Quartey highlighted on the focus of the Animation Festival and emphasised on the challenges and prospects of the animation industry in Ghana and Africa as a whole.

The President of the Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA), Fara Awindor led the first panel discussion on Producing Animation - Challenges and Prospects. The panel observed that channels of distribution stood out as the main challenge for animators. A recommendation was made for animators to use appropriate means of identifying the needs of communities and target groups while ensuring that other members of the production process are given due recognition since the entire production is a team/collaborative work. 

The Acting Head of the Department of Graphic Design at the University of Education, Winneba, Dr Ebenezer Acquah  indicated that one important challenge in the distribution channel is  the branding and packaging of animated works for easy accessibility, comprehension, and providing a sense of identity that is uniquely African. He recommended experimentation and innovation in Ghanaian animation with emphasis on creativity and critical thinking guided by philosophy of artistic productions.

Ag. Head of Graphic Design Department, Dr. Ebenezer Acquah leading a discussion

As part of activities, there was a presentation on Animation Futures – Animation and Game Development by Eyram Tawia, Co-founder of Leti Arts in Accra and chaired by Mr. Cecil Jones Abban, CEO of Parable Production in Accra. Also, there was  a compilation of Animated Ghanaian Student Films from the Department of Graphic Design - University of Education, Winneba (UEW), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI).

A panel discussion on distribution channels for animation productions

The team took part in workshops and panel discussions that focused on the state of the animation industry in Ghana and witnessed daily Virtual Reality Presentations and Demonstrations.

Experiencing virtual reality (VR) at the Animation Festival

Attendees at the Animafrik Festival at the Goethe Institute