Afro Women in Animation Festival has returned for a second edition. The festival, organised by the African women in animation community, aims to build skills and position women in the industry for success.
Bringing together women animators, storytellers, illustrators, sound designers, and visual development, the festival will first select and train female animation stakeholders with a week-long (March 9 – 13, 2026) virtual workshop that will equip them with skills in key areas of animation production – such as story development, visual development, storyboards, animatics, and sound design.
The masterclass then culminates in the festival itself, set for March 21st.
Themed ‘Art is for Everyone,’ the 2026 edition of the festival will feature panel discussions with industry professionals, hands-on workshops, portfolio reviews, animation screenings, exhibitions, and curated network sessions, all designed to connect women creatives to real industry pathways and career opportunities.
As part of the festival’s effort to ensure the women have a practical experience of the animation industry, participants who complete the virtual workshops will be considered for the inaugural Afro Women in Animation Production Lab. The lab will support their collaboration on an original animation project, allowing them to work as part of a production team and strengthen their portfolios with real projects.
“As the African animation industry continues to grow, initiatives like Afro Women in Animation Festival play a crucial role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future. By investing in women creatives today, the festival is helping define what African animation will look like tomorrow. And in 2026, that future is being built, one story, one frame, and one woman at a time,” said Comicpanel.
Bringing together women animators, storytellers, illustrators, sound designers, and visual development, the festival will first select and train female animation stakeholders with a week-long (March 9 – 13, 2026) virtual workshop that will equip them with skills in key areas of animation production – such as story development, visual development, storyboards, animatics, and sound design.
The masterclass then culminates in the festival itself, set for March 21st.
Themed ‘Art is for Everyone,’ the 2026 edition of the festival will feature panel discussions with industry professionals, hands-on workshops, portfolio reviews, animation screenings, exhibitions, and curated network sessions, all designed to connect women creatives to real industry pathways and career opportunities.
As part of the festival’s effort to ensure the women have a practical experience of the animation industry, participants who complete the virtual workshops will be considered for the inaugural Afro Women in Animation Production Lab. The lab will support their collaboration on an original animation project, allowing them to work as part of a production team and strengthen their portfolios with real projects.
“As the African animation industry continues to grow, initiatives like Afro Women in Animation Festival play a crucial role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future. By investing in women creatives today, the festival is helping define what African animation will look like tomorrow. And in 2026, that future is being built, one story, one frame, and one woman at a time,” said Comicpanel.
