Empowering Nigerian Animation Talent through the CBSPAS Programme
The CBSPAS Programme: A New Frontier for Nigerian Animation.
The Capacity Building Support Programme for the Animation Sector (CBSPAS) is designed to transform Nigeria’s animation industry by equipping aspiring animators with specialized technical skills, mentoring opportunities, and career development. Spearheaded by Basement Animation, and funded under the SIFA Financial Cooperation (FC), supported by the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union, this innovative initiative offers an immersive training experience for young Nigerians aged 18-35, with particular attention to women and vulnerable groups.
The program’s goals include empowering youth through technical animation training, creating employment opportunities, and elevating the capacity of Nigerian animation studios to produce content for global markets. Participants will benefit from a comprehensive curriculum delivered in two cycles, where 100 individuals will receive foundational training, and 40 will advance to more specialized, hands-on technical sessions.
SIFA and AUDA-NEPAD.
The Skills Initiative for Africa (SIFA) is an ambitious multi-country program initiated by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and funded by the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union. This program aims to address the growing demand for skills development among African youth, focusing on enhancing employability, productivity, and innovation. By fostering technical and vocational education, SIFA creates inclusive pathways to economic growth, with a particular emphasis on women and young people.
AUDA-NEPAD, the technical arm of the African Union, drives sustainable development and economic transformation across Africa. Through initiatives like SIFA, the agency prioritizes skills development, infrastructure advancement, and industrialization, laying the groundwork for job creation and entrepreneurship. The Capacity Building Support Programme for the Animation Sector (CBSPAS) aligns with these objectives, with a focus on empowering women and youth in Nigeria’s burgeoning animation industry.
Basement Animation: Pioneering the African Animation Industry
Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Basement Animation has quickly earned a reputation as one of Africa’s leading animation studios. Specializing in high-quality content for Kids, Teens, and Family audiences, the studio has played a pivotal role in amplifying African stories through its innovative approach to storytelling and technical mastery.
Basement Animation’s portfolio includes a range of television shows, short films, digital content, and educational animations. The studio has collaborated with esteemed clients like StepUp Nigeria, Ubongo, the MacArthur Foundation, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), delivering engaging, culturally relevant content that resonates with audiences locally and globally.
The studio’s work has been recognized on the international stage, with accolades including the Gulli Prize at the Animation du Monde / MIFA pitch at the Annecy Animation Film Festival for the co-produced pilot episode of L’arbre à Palimpseste in 2018. More recently, Halima’s Vote won Best International Film at the Toronto Animation Arts Festival International 2022, further cementing Basement Animation’s status as a leader in the industry.
In addition to producing award-winning content, Basement Animation is committed to nurturing the next generation of African animators. In 2022, the studio partnered with the British Council to deliver the 7-month Creative Enterprise Support Programme in Animation, training 60 aspiring animators (link). This programme, delivered entirely online, equipped participants with the technical and entrepreneurship skills needed to succeed in animation and resulted in the production of six short films, with participants receiving grants and opportunities to showcase their work at international festivals like Annecy International Animated Film Festival and Market.
Now, that the CBSPAS program focuses on equipping participants with technical skills in animation, Basement Animation continues to champion talent development in Nigeria’s animation sector, creating pathways for growth and international recognition for emerging African creatives.
Partnership with Stephen Gray Consulting
Basement Animation is excited to partner with Stephen Gray Consulting, a strategic management consulting firm with a strong track record of empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and non-profits. Stephen Gray Consulting brings a wealth of experience in business strategy, leadership development, and systems enhancement, providing essential support in ensuring the CBSPAS program’s success.
With a focus on fostering leadership and operational excellence, Stephen Gray Consulting will play a critical role in shaping the entrepreneurial training components of the program, helping participants not only master animation skills but also develop the business acumen needed to thrive in the industry.
For Press Inquiries and More Information
For more information on the CBSPAS programme, including press inquiries, partnership opportunities, or how to apply, please contact cbspas@basementanimation.com.
Basement Animation is dedicated to fostering the next wave of African animators.
Click the button below to apply;
Application opens 17th September,
Deadline is 1st October 2024
