The Cape Town International Animation Festival will once again partner with Comic Con Cape Town when the event takes place from 30 April to 3 May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
The partnership, which began when Comic Con Cape Town launched in 2023, brings workshops and educational content to the tens of thousands of fans who attend the annual event.
CTIAF is the largest dedicated African animation festival on the continent, focusing on celebrating animation art and helping the next generation of animators learn and develop their skills. The festival has hosted Academy Award-winning artists and directors, sparked joint productions and helped launch projects that became worldwide successes.
Cape Town continues to make its mark on animation globally, with successes like Sunrise Studios’ box office hit David. Comic Con Cape Town attracts fans, teenagers and adults who want to explore creative industries and learn how to build careers in them.
Access and inspiration
“This initiative is about access and inspiration,” says Shani Campbell, academic head of The Animation School. “By partnering with top-tier animation schools and bringing this programme to Comic Con, we’re opening doors for young creatives to explore careers in animation and storytelling.”
Cameron Lawry of SAE Institute added: “Whether aspiring artists are picking up a pencil for the first time or already experimenting with digital tools, these workshops provide a unique opportunity to learn, create, and be inspired in an exciting, immersive environment.”
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What’s included
CTIAF workshops and screenings are included in a Comic Con Cape Town ticket. One screening and two workshops will take place daily at the CTIAF stage in Hall 8. The programme, developed with leading educational institutions, SAE Institute South Africa and The Animation School, offers hands-on learning experiences designed specifically for ages 12 to 18.
Daily programme
Screenings run from 12:00 to 14:00 daily, featuring the best of CTIAF short films, including works by local animators such as Joel “Cyzo” Matladi, Mogau Kekana, Lesego Vorster, and Studio Muti.
Workshops take place from 10:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 16:00 daily, covering topics from life drawing to storyboards, comic creation, 3D game world building, and pixel art for games. Participants will work with pencils, paper, clay, and specialised software.
Special talk
Sunrise Studios will speak about the making of David on Friday 1 May from 13:30 to 14:00 on the Main Stage, giving attendees insight into creating large-scale animation.
Young fans can check the CTIAF schedule to ensure they don’t miss any of the workshops on offer. More information is available at www.comicconcapetown.co.za and www.ctiaf.com.
