Honouring 10 Pan-African Innovators for Outstanding Creative Achievements
In a radiant awards ceremony illuminating the 10th-anniversary celebrations of the Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival, the Fak’ugesi 2023 Awards for Digital Creativity unveiled a stellar array of winning projects spanning Animation, Video Games, Visual Arts, Music, and XR (AR/VR) categories. Recognizing outstanding digital innovation within Africa’s creative landscape, these awards mark the festival’s second year and stand as the sole award of its kind on the continent. Celebrating the rich diversity of African culture through digital creativity, the event showcased exceptional standards and the fusion of multidisciplinary practices.
Animation:
- Arowan Parker – ‘The Present’: A captivating exploration of fictional narratives and human connections, ‘The Present’ is an award-winning creation by South African animator and storyteller Arowan Parker.
- Nkem Nwaturuocha – The Song Maiden: Nkem Nwaturuocha, Co-founder and Creative Director of Disrupt DNA, presents ‘The Song Maiden’, a poignant short animated film depicting the struggles of a young girl caught between cultural norms.
- Lola Aikins – NALEDI: Lola Aikins, a talented 2D animator and visual development artist, promotes authentic African aesthetics through ‘NALEDI’, a short film that unravels the story of a star athlete overcoming overwhelming grief.
Video Games:
- Kushal Jeethendra Sithlu – The Null Factor: In ‘The Null Factor’, Kushal Jeethendra Sithlu, a versatile creative, presents an action-packed adventure set in a post-pandemic world against a rogue AI.
- Alkemaize – Rapz!: Game development studio Alkemaize presents ‘Rapz!’, an inspirational and educational game that follows the story of Rapulani, a young girl with a magical afro, aiming to promote self-love.
Visual Arts:
- Diane Cescutti – Nosukaay: Diane Cescutti, a French visual artist, explores the convergence of Manjak weaving and computer technology in her project ‘Nosukaay’, using a Manjak cloth as a keyboard.
XR (AR/VR):
- Agnes Ndegwa – Young Haven: Agnes Ndegwa, a visionary 3D artist and VR content creator, presents ‘Young Haven’, a virtual reality experience focusing on children’s mental health and emotional acumen.
- Aluta Null – PHANTOM: Aluta Null, a Johannesburg-based digital artist and game developer, delves into the complexities of mental health using extended reality in the project ‘PHANTOM’.
- Baruu Collective – If Objects Could Speak: Baruu Collective from Kenya rekindles African narratives through ‘If Objects Could Speak’, an immersive AR project unearthing Kenyan artifacts and sharing cultural treasures.
Music:
- |Kx’am – !Habesi: |Kx’am, a non-profit organization, presents ‘!Habesi (roots)’, a multimedia exhibition shedding light on |Xam and Khoe land rights and honoring cultural heritage.
The Fak’ugesi Digital Creativity Awards stand as a beacon, recognizing and celebrating remarkable digital innovation within Africa’s creative landscape. These visionary individuals and their projects masterfully infuse creativity and digital art to reshape the landscape of African innovation. As the festival commemorates its 10th year, it continues to bridge the gap between technology, art, and culture in Africa, propelling the future of digital creativity. The awarded projects not only captivate local audiences but also resonate on the global stage, showcasing the power of local perspectives across the African continent.
For more information about the Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival, visit: Fak’ugesi Festival Website