The Best Animated Commercial award was presented to Kevin Jackson, a Jamaica-based animator, for his work titled PLASTIC FREE PARADISE. The Best 3D Animation award was claimed by Nigeria’s Michael Eneje and Joel Innocent for their entry, ÌRÀPADÀ (REDEMPTION). The award for Best 2D Animation went to TOSIN’S STORY, directed by Angelo Anosike and Mbuotidem Johnson, while the Best Stop Motion Animation award was awarded to Esther Kemi Gbadamosi for her film NO ONE HEARS US.
During the festival, Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, the Director General of the National Orientation Agency and Special Guest of Honour, discussed the vision and goals of the new Federal Government Policy on the Nationalisation of Cartoon Content, highlighting the business opportunities it presents for the animation sector. He provided insights into the policy's content and its implications for the industry over the next three years.
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| L-R. Dr Isa Omagu, Divisional Head, Large Enterprise, Bank of Industry Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director General, National Orientaion Agency Muyiwa Kayode, Festival Director, Lagos International Festival of Animation |
Animation has emerged as a vital instrument for government communication, particularly aimed at the youth demographic, which constitutes over 75 percent of the population in our country. He emphasized that Nigerian animators have a unique opportunity to leverage the substantial budget allocated for communication by various government levels across multiple MDAs, highlighting the Agency's willingness to collaborate with animators as facilitators.
Earlier in the day, during the children's segment of the festival, the Director General praised the students and teachers from Beautiful Beginning School in Magodo and Mighty Pillars School in Ikorodu for their impeccable recitation of the national anthem and exemplary behavior.
Mr. Muyiwa Kayode, the founder and festival director of LIFANIMA, shared in his opening remarks that the festival was established in 2016, following the launch of his brand “Turtle Taido” the year before. Over the years, the festival has successfully brought together African animators from various countries and garnered support from numerous stakeholders, including the Bank of Industry, Checkers Custard, the French Embassy in Nigeria, and most recently, the National Orientation Agency. The festival has received endorsement from the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy.
LIFANIMA stands as Nigeria’s leading animation film festival and ranks among the top three in Africa. The 2024 edition received 1,106 submissions from 111 countries, including 26 African nations.