Lagos: Smid Animation Studio, a platform that focuses on creating content on African culture with technology, says it is preserving Nigeria’s heritage through storytelling.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the studio’s mission when it started in 2010 is to use animation as a tool for education, inspiration, and cultural preservation.
The organisation’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Damilola Solesi, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed the humble beginnings of the studio. She reflected, “Back then, it was just me, a table, a laptop and a dream.” Over the past 15 years, the studio has built a portfolio of projects that highlight African creativity and identity.
‘Hadu,’ an award-winning short film produced by the studio, stands as a significant achievement, having been screened at more than 30 international festivals and earning eight awards for Best Animation. Solesi emphasized that the success of ‘Hadu’ demonstrates the potential for African stories to resonate and succeed on a global stage.
Building on this success, the studio has invested in content aimed at younger audiences. A recent project, ‘Keko,’ is a new animated series adapted from a children’s book distributed in schools across Nigeria. Solesi stated, “Now we’re bringing Keko to life on screen; it’s our way of inspiring young audiences and keeping local stories alive.”
Beyond its projects, Smid Animation has become a hub for talent development and creative empowerment. For nearly a decade, its annual summer camp has introduced children to storytelling, animation, and digital design. Solesi mentioned that some of the earliest campers are now pursuing animation studies in universities, highlighting the studio’s role in sparking imagination.
The studio’s empowerment efforts also include ‘She Animates,’ an initiative dedicated to encouraging more women to enter the animation industry. This initiative has impacted over 300 girls nationwide through workshops, mentorships, and school programs.
Solesi noted that Smid’s most ambitious community project is ‘Toontopia,’ Africa’s first animation festival for children. Launched in partnership with the National Theatre, the festival showcases African-made animated films and encourages cultural pride among young viewers. She pledged the studio’s commitment to shape the next generation of African storytellers through creativity.
Acknowledging Smid’s efforts over the past 15 years, the Director-General of the National Theatre, Tola Akerele, commended the studio for its pioneering role in promoting cultural storytelling through animation. Akerele highlighted that animation is a powerful tool for education, cultural preservation, and identity, urging parents to encourage their children to see themselves reflected in the stories they consume.