In an ambitious and commendable move, Triggerfish, a renowned animation studio based in Cape Town, South Africa, has partnered with UNESCO to launch a transformative initiative aimed at promoting gender inclusivity within the animation sector. Titled The Creator Labs, this program seeks to address the glaring gender disparities that persist notably in leadership roles throughout the African film and audiovisual industry, which contributes a staggering $5 billion to the continent’s GDP. Despite such economic significance, women, especially women of color, are largely underrepresented in influential positions. This initiative emerges as a critical response to not only enhance female representation but also to catalyze innovative potential within the industry.
The Creator Labs initiative encompasses a comprehensive capacity-building framework designed specifically for women. It includes both a Director Lab and an Animation Art Lab, offering tailored resources for aspiring female leaders in animation. Participants in this program will benefit from high-quality training through engaging masterclasses conducted by industry experts, along with valuable mentorship from seasoned professionals. The program’s focus is to provide continued learning through interactive sessions that prioritize collaboration and networking among women. Notably, Triggerfish Academy will make training materials freely accessible online, thereby expanding the reach of this empowering initiative and ensuring that women across the continent can tap into these vital resources.
Carina Lücke, Director of Triggerfish Foundation, stressed the importance of empowering women in the animation field as a crucial step toward achieving gender equality. Lücke stated, “This collaboration with UNESCO aims to advance gender equality in animation.” Her remarks encapsulate the essence of the initiative, emphasizing that increasing women’s participation in leadership roles is pivotal for fostering creativity and innovation in the industry. Furthermore, the program is poised to dismantle existing barriers that have long hindered female progression in the animation environment.
The initiative tackles an educational gap identified in UNESCO’s reports on the African film sector, which elucidate how women are disproportionately affected by a lack of access to training and resources. Ernesto Ottone, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Culture, highlighted the pressing need for education within the animation production sphere, proposing that The Creator Labs will directly enhance career opportunities for women in television and filmmaking. This partnership not only recognizes the challenges women face but also actively seeks to remediate them through focused educational endeavors.
With applications for The Creator Labs now open, the initiative is set to foster a new generation of female leaders in animation by providing them essential skills and opportunities. As the program runs from March 2025 through May 2025, it promises to bring together inspiring talents from the industry, including notable contributors from projects like Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire and Star Wars Visions. As Triggerfish continues to push boundaries in animation—evident in their previous works for Disney+ and Netflix—this new initiative stands as a hopeful beacon for change, advocating for an inclusive and diverse African animation landscape. As The Creator Labs pave the way for more women to enter and thrive in this dynamic industry, the potential for innovation and storytelling is boundless.