Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ In its quest to expand its presence in Africa, the Disney+ platform is set to release “Kizazi Moto: Génération Feu” (Fire Generation) on Wednesday. The series consists of sci-fi animated shorts created by young talents from various African countries, with support from the co-director of “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.”
“Kizazi Moto” explores the vision of the future in Africa through the imaginative lenses of fourteen filmmakers from Zimbabwe, Uganda, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt. In ten independent ten-minute episodes, blending 2D and 3D animation, the series showcases a range of concepts, including spirits, cyborg cattle herds, and radioactive octopuses.
The title “Kizazi Moto,” derived from the Swahili expression meaning “generation of fire,” demonstrates Disney’s interest in Africa. Additionally, Disney plans to collaborate with pan-African entertainment company Kugali to create another science-fiction animated series set in a futuristic version of Lagos, Nigeria.
The artists involved in “Kizazi Moto” drew inspiration from the continent’s history and diverse cultures, interweaving myths, extraterrestrials, gods, monsters, and futuristic technologies. The series also addresses pressing issues such as climate change, colonization, and the influence of social networking.
Co-produced by South African studio Triggerfish and Peter Ramsey, co-director of the Oscar-winning film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” the series delves into the realm of Afrofuturism. This genre’s potential was highlighted by the global success of Marvel’s blockbuster film “Black Panther.”
The unique aspect of “Kizazi Moto” lies in its reliance on individual creators who share their authentic personal stories and experiences. Orion Ross, Vice President of Animation for Disney EMEA, emphasized the excitement of these creators in expressing themselves through Disney+, which provides them with unprecedented accessibility. Peter Ramsey added that American studios are already showing interest in the work of these directors. If “Kizazi Moto” proves successful, Ramsey hopes to launch another series featuring stories from ten different countries to provide more creators with opportunities.
Drawing a parallel with his work on “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse,” Ramsey noted that the film helped rejuvenate American animated blockbusters by showcasing more diverse, avant-garde, and experimental styles. Similarly, the creators of “Kizazi Moto” aim to replicate the same spirit by building upon the foundations laid by previous short films.
