From 13 to 16 October 2026, 11 animators from South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius and Mozambique came together at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct in Johannesburg for the Regional Animation Lab, presented alongside the Fak’ugesi African Digital & Innovation Festival.
Over four days, participants developed original animation projects through storytelling, character and visual development, peer exchange and mentorship with the Mollo Animation Academy. Working around the theme Tangible and Intangible Heritage of the Indian Ocean Region, the projects drew on places, objects, archives, oral histories, languages, rituals, memories and stories passed between generations.
The Lab concluded with final project pitches before a jury of animation professionals. One creator from each participating country was selected to continue to the next stage of the programme at the Festival International du Film d’Animation in Madagascar.
The selected creators are Avinash Jagai from Mauritius, Freddie Andrianirna from Madagascar, Janine Soeiro from Mozambique and Nadia Darries from South Africa.
The Johannesburg Lab marked the first step in a wider regional exchange connecting animation professionals across the Indian Ocean region and France, with later stages linked to platforms in Mozambique, Madagascar, RĂ©union and the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and Market.
The Regional Animation Lab is implemented by IFAS with the French Institutes of Madagascar and Mauritius and the Franco-Mozambican Cultural Centre, with support from the Regional Fund of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Institut français and CULTIV’ARTE, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France.
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