The South African animation industry is thriving, with local talent producing world-class content that resonates both locally and internationally. From engaging series to full-length films, these innovative studios are pushing the boundaries of storytelling and animation. Here’s a guide to some of the leading South African animation studios and the exceptional projects they’ve brought to life.
Triggerfish
Triggerfish Animation Studios has long been a leader in African animation, producing beloved films like Khumba, Zambezia and Seal Team that showcase the studio’s commitment to high-quality visual storytelling. But Triggerfish is not just about creating visually stunning animation; they are equally dedicated to innovation and exploring new frontiers in the industry.
Triggerfish’s recent success, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, an anthology series on Disney+, brings together some of Africa’s most exciting storytellers to create futuristic African tales. This project has allowed Triggerfish to step into the global spotlight, demonstrating that African animation is not just about traditional stories but can also pioneer new genres and narratives. More notable collaborations are Disney’s Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes and Netflix’s Supa Team 4.
Triggerfish has been actively involved in nurturing the next generation of African animators, offering opportunities and mentorship to up-and-coming talents through initiatives like the Triggerfish Academy. This focus on growth and community ensures that the studio continually brings fresh ideas and unique perspectives to the screen. You’ve probably seen one of the projects they’ve worked on and not even realised. Triggerfish Animation Studios is a name that has become synonymous with quality and creativity in African animation. Follow Triggerfish Animation Studios on Instagram.
Minds Eye Creative
Mind’s Eye Creative is a Johannesburg-based studio making waves in the African animation scene. Known for its high-quality productions, the studio blends cultural authenticity with universal themes, capturing the imaginations of audiences worldwide. Their standout project, Twende, Showmax’s first original 2D animated series, follows a pangolin in the fictional East African city of Milima and has set a new standard for African animation.
Produced in collaboration with London-based Braintrust, Twende has been praised for its unique characters, engaging storylines, and high production values. The studio has also worked with major global networks, including Nickelodeon on MooseBox and several projects for Cartoon Network and Netflix, solidifying its reputation as a versatile and talented studio.
Mind’s Eye Creative is committed to pushing the boundaries of what African animation can achieve. With a growing portfolio of collaborations with international networks, they are absolutely a studio to keep an eye on. Follow Minds Eye Creative on their Instagram and YouTube.
Hidden Hand Studios
Hidden Hand Studios is a South African animation studio known for its bold and imaginative work. The studio has built a reputation for producing visually striking and narratively rich content, with a strong emphasis on exploring unique and often darker themes within their projects. Their ability to push creative boundaries has earned them recognition both locally and internationally.
One of Hidden Hand’s most notable contributions is their work on the Emmy-winning series Primal, created by Genndy Tartakovsky. The series, known for its intense storytelling and stunning animation, allowed Hidden Hand to showcase their expertise on a global stage. Their collaboration on this project highlighted the studio’s ability to deliver top-tier animation that meets the highest industry standards.
In addition to their work on established series, Hidden Hand Studios is also developing Naledi, a new project by Lola Aikins that is currently in the process of being Crowdfunded. Naledi promises to be a groundbreaking addition to their portfolio, further demonstrating the studio’s commitment to bringing compelling African stories to life. Follow Hidden Hand Studios on Instagram.
Sunrise Animation Studios
Sunrise Animation Studios is best known for its work on the beloved series Jungle Beat and the subsequent Jungle Beat: The Movie. The film, which has earned significant acclaim for its vibrant animation and engaging storytelling, follows the adventures of jungle animals who discover a stranded alien spaceship.
The studio is also developing David, an animated film based on the classic tale of David and Goliath, reimagining the epic tale with Sunrise Animation’s distinctive flair. David promises to blend rich storytelling with high-quality animation, aiming to bring the legendary story to life in a fresh and compelling way.
Sunrise Animation’s commitment to producing innovative and captivating animated content is evident in both its existing projects and future endeavours. With Jungle Beat being a major success on its own YouTube channel and David in development, the studio continues to be a key player in South Africa’s animation industry. Follow Sunrise Animation Studios on their YouTube channel.
Cabblow Studios
Cabblow Studios is a distinguished South African animation studio renowned for its expertise in medical animation. Specialising in translating complex medical concepts into visually compelling and educational content, Cabblow Studios makes intricate information accessible and engaging. Their work in this niche is highly regarded for its blend of technical precision and creative storytelling.
In addition to their medical animations, Cabblow Studios has released a couple of amazing short films on their YouTube channel. These short films highlight the studio’s talent for crafting engaging narratives with visually brilliant animations and allow them to reach a broad audience. Their Podcast The Business of Animation is also a great resource for young animators to learn about the industry.
Cabblow Studios also participates in major animation festivals and events, including Annecy, CTIAF, Durban Film Mart, and Comic Con. Hosting panels to discuss the impact of African animation and its role in shaping global narratives. The studio is developing its project Rorisang and the Gurlz, an upcoming animated series that will follow the adventures of Rorisang and her friends, trying to start a K-pop band at their very old-fashioned school. With their innovative approach and active engagement in the animation community, Cabblow Studios continues to be a significant player in South Africa’s animation industry. Follow Cabblow Studios on their Instagram or YouTube channel.
Studio Bolland
Studio Bolland is a creative powerhouse based in Cape Town, known primarily for its work in animation for brands. The studio has carved out a niche by producing high-quality, engaging content that captures the essence of the brands they work with. Their ability to create a distinctive visual style has made them a sought-after partner for various commercial projects.
Beyond their commercial work, Studio Bolland has also ventured into the world of indie game development, showcasing their versatility and creative talent. In 2023, the studio embarked on an ambitious project to create 12 game prototypes in 12 months. This exploration into gaming has allowed them to experiment with unique themes and mechanics, adding a new dimension to their creative portfolio.
Studio Bolland’s dual focus on brand animation and game development highlights its commitment to innovation and storytelling. Whether crafting memorable animations for brands or developing indie games on itch.io, Studio Bolland continues to push creative boundaries, making it a standout studio in South Africa’s animation and gaming landscape. You can read more about other local game developers in our other article here. Follow Studio Bolland on their Instagram or YouTube channel.
Sea Monster
Sea Monster is a prominent South African studio renowned for its expertise in both animation and game development. The studio has mastered the art of storytelling, believing that stories help us make sense of the world by connecting with audiences on a psychological level. Sea Monster’s animations are driven by well-crafted characters and archetypes, aiming to make their content not only visually engaging but also resonate with viewers.
At Sea Monster, the team specializes in creating 2D animated stories that capture the essence of a brand’s messaging. Their work spans commercials, educational content, and branded series, all designed to shift behaviours and communicate messages in a compelling way.
In addition to their animation expertise, Sea Monster is also a leader in game development, creating interactive experiences that entertain and educate. This dual focus on animation and gaming allows Sea Monster to offer comprehensive solutions that engage audiences and deliver impactful results for their clients. Follow Sea Monster on their Instagram.
Studio Djembe
Studio Djembe is an upcoming South African animation studio, known for specialising in concept development, animation, and social media content creation. The studio has made a mark with its original project, Roho: The Age of Masks, which is currently in development. Roho follows Leo, a teenager who inherits a mystical Cheetah mask and discovers his connection to the spirit within. As he trains alongside new friends, Leo faces challenges, battles otherworldly creatures, and uncovers the truth about his destiny. At the start of 2024, they released a comic book adaptation of the project, and fans can follow the journey on the project’s dedicated Instagram for updates and news.
Beyond Roho, Studio Djembe is actively involved in developing new and exciting projects and has contributed to a variety of animated projects such as Black Caesar’s Revenge, Zizi and Hannibal, and Iinkwenkwezi. The studio has also worked on projects for well-known companies such as Chevron and UNICEF, showing their ability to handle diverse content for global organisations.
Studio Djembe boasts a vast portfolio of unique content across social media platforms which promotes its brand and also highlights the many collaborations and ongoing journey of the Roho project. The studio’s goal extends beyond just creating content; they are committed to growing a vibrant creative community within the African animation industry, blending culture and storytelling to captivate audiences. Follow Studio Djembe on Instagram and YouTube.
Scene It – The Animate Challenge
Scene It has transformed some of Cape Town’s iconic spots into animated landmarks, blending creativity with sightseeing. The project worked with animators and studios to enhance popular locations with vibrant animations, showcasing both the city’s beauty and local artistic talent. By creating a virtual trail of ‘hotspots’ and routes, SceneIt offers a festival-style experience that viewers can explore at their leisure. The unique approach not only highlights Cape Town’s cultural richness but also provides a dynamic way to engage the community and promote creative talent through collaborative events and public video-making challenges. You can watch them all here.
Wrapping up
These featured studios offer just a glimpse into the thriving world of South African animation. Blending creativity, technical skill, and compelling storytelling, they are making significant strides both locally and internationally. With new and exciting projects constantly emerging, there’s much to look forward to with South African animation. Keep an eye out for local animation festivals such as CTIAF where you can connect with fellow enthusiasts and industry professionals.
