African women are no longer just participating in animation, they’re shaping its future.
The Afro Women in Animation Festival (AWIAF) has officially announced its 2026 edition, and it’s coming bigger, bolder, and more intentional than ever.
Designed as both a celebration and a launchpad, the festival is focused on one clear goal: equipping African women with the skills, access, and opportunities needed to build real careers in animation.
This is not just a festival. It’s a pathway.
Afro Women in Animation Festival is a gathering that brings together women across Africa working in animation, storytelling, illustration, sound design, and visual development.
It creates a space where talent meets structure, and creativity meets opportunity.
The festival features:
- Panel discussions with industry professionals
- Hands-on workshops
- Portfolio reviews
- Animation screenings
- Exhibitions
- Curated networking sessions
All designed to do one thing: connect women creatives to real industry pathways and career opportunities.
Two Phases, One Clear Mission
The 2026 edition introduces a two-phase programme, blending accessibility with impact.
Phase One: Virtual Workshops (March 9–13, 2026)
The festival kicks off with a week-long series of virtual workshops, running from March 9 to March 13, 2026.
These sessions are tailored to equip participants with practical, industry-relevant skills across key areas of animation production, including:
- Story development
- Visual development
- Storyboards and animatics
- Sound design
According to festival organisers, the workshops are designed to go beyond theory focusing on hands-on learning that mirrors real production workflows in the animation industry.
What truly sets Afro Women in Animation Festival 2026 apart is its commitment to real-world application.
Participants who successfully complete the virtual workshops will be considered for the inaugural Afro Women in Animation Production Lab.
This lab will bring selected creatives together to collaborate on an original animation project, offering them invaluable hands-on production experience.
This initiative positions the festival not just as a learning space, but as a bridge into professional practice, giving women the opportunity to work as part of a production team and strengthen their portfolios with real projects.
Phase Two: A Free In-Person Festival in Lagos
Following the virtual phase, the festival will culminate in a free, in-person main event in Lagos, making it accessible to a wider community of women creatives.
The Lagos event will feature:
- Live panel discussions
- Screenings and exhibitions
- Portfolio reviews
- Networking with industry professionals
It’s a space to connect, collaborate, and be seen especially for women navigating an industry that has historically lacked inclusive access.
Why Afro Women in Animation Festival Matters
Across Africa, women creatives are bursting with talent, yet many still face barriers to:
- Industry access
- Mentorship
- Production experience
- Professional networks
Afro Women in Animation Festival directly addresses these gaps by combining skills training, mentorship, visibility, and production opportunities into one cohesive programme.
It sends a clear message: African women belong in animation, not just as participants, but as leaders, creators, and decision-makers.
As the African animation industry continues to grow, initiatives like Afro Women in Animation Festival play a crucial role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future.
By investing in women creatives today, the festival is helping to define what African animation will look like tomorrow.
And in 2026, that future is being built, one story, one frame, and one woman at a time.
This is a free event. For updates, programme details, and announcements, kindly visit and follow the official Instagram page @afro_wia.
Are you ready to learn, create, and take your place in the future of African animation?