The Southern African Forum for Independent Animators is a registered non-profit company focused on building a regional community for African storytelling through animation.
Handmade animation in traditional and digital media lends itself to low-tech and low-budget crafting that any creative and innovative individual can access and attain remarkable results with.
We believe in authentic storytelling inspired by personal life experiences and unique cultural practices. Family narratives passed down through the generations, told expertly, has the possibility to captivate international audiences. South Africa is building its own robust film industry, and independent storytellers and animators have an opportunity to add their own unique voice and visual language to the mix.
The Smallanyana Animation Festival is a recurring screening event presenting local and international independent animation. The festival was launched at the Mkwanazi Theatre at Kingsmead College in Rosebank, Johannesburg on 1 February 2025 and was presented three more times during the course of 2025 at the Arts Association Pretoria. During 2026 the festival will continue with monthly screenings at the Arts Association Pretoria, and at the Tshwane University of Technology during the course of the year.
Two-dimensional handmade animation puppet for the ‘Ruby & Roach’ stop-frame animation directed and animated by Erentia Bedeker and produced by Dorette Nel. Image courtesy of the Southern African Forum for Independent Animators.
The Southern African Forum for Independent Animators is dedicated to building community and support for independent voices, providing educational and logistic insight into the pre-production, production, post-production, and international animation festival circuit process.
Visit www.independentanimators.africa for more information.
Diek Grobler presenting the festival program to our first Smallanyana Animation Festival audience at the Mkwanazi Theatre, Kingsmead College, Johannesburg. Thank you for your support.
Presenting the TEN SECONDS ENTRIES program at the Smallanyana Animation Festival launch. The Mkwanazi Theatre at Kingsmead College kindly provided us with a microphone and couch setup for interviews and presentations with animators whose works were featured in the two-hour program.
Festival links:
Festival downloads:
- Poster (print ready)
- Program poster (print ready)
- Catalogue 1 February 2025 (web resolution)
- Animation flyers (social media)
- Social media posters (web resolution)
- Press release (text and image)
Thank you for your support:
