African animation continues to command global attention as “Ejo,” an animated feature film co-produced by Nigeria’s Basement Animation, earns a major international milestone. The project has been officially selected as one of 13 projects in development nominated for the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award and will be pitched at Cartoon Movie 2026, one of Europe’s most influential animation industry events.
The announcement, shared by the production team on social media, places Ejo among a small group of carefully curated projects recognized for artistic depth, narrative relevance, and international co-production potential. For Basement Animation, this selection marks another significant step in positioning Nigerian animation within the global feature film ecosystem.
Cartoon Movie, held annually in Europe, is a high-profile pitching and networking forum where feature-length animated films are presented to distributors, broadcasters, sales agents, and funding bodies. Being nominated for the Eurimages Co-Production Development Award not only brings prestige but also signals strong confidence from European film institutions in the project’s creative and production vision.
At its core, Ejo is a deeply human story set in Rwanda during the summer of 1994, in the aftermath of the genocide. The film follows Didi (12) and Eric (8), two children who survive the violence but are left to navigate a shattered world together. As they journey across a fractured land in search of food, shelter, and meaning, the story explores themes of trauma, resilience, forgiveness, and fragile hope.
The narrative begins with an almost ordinary childhood moment: a local football match, anticipation buzzing in the air, a banana-leaf ball ready for play. That moment of innocence is abruptly destroyed when armed fighters storm the pitch, changing the fate of an entire nation. Months later, Didi survives alone in the ruins of her village, haunted by hunger, fear, and painful memories. Her fragile existence is disrupted when Eric, once her friend, now tied by blood to the perpetrators, reappears.
What follows is a tense, emotionally layered relationship shaped by grief, anger, and necessity. As danger persists around them, the children slowly discover that survival is easier together, even when the past threatens to tear them apart. Ejo does not shy away from darkness, but it is ultimately a story about connection, empathy, and the possibility of healing.
The film is a European–African co-production involving Animoon (Poland), Special Touch Studios (France), and Basement Animation (Nigeria). Each studio brings a distinct creative and cultural perspective to the project, reinforcing Ejo’s international scope and emotional authenticity.
Animoon, based in Poland, is known for developing visually striking and emotionally driven animated films that resonate with international audiences. France’s Special Touch Studios brings extensive experience in high-quality animation production and storytelling for global markets. Anchoring the African side of the collaboration is Basement Animation, a Lagos-based studio that has steadily built a reputation for technical excellence and culturally grounded storytelling.
Basement Animation’s involvement is particularly significant. As one of Nigeria’s leading animation studios, its participation underscores the growing role of African studios not just as service providers, but as creative partners and co-owners of globally relevant stories. The studio’s contribution to Ejo reflects a broader shift in the international animation industry, one that increasingly recognizes African voices, talent, and production capacity.
Industry observers see Ejo’s selection as a powerful signal. African stories, when told with care and supported through meaningful co-production frameworks, can compete at the highest levels of global animation development. The Eurimages nomination further validates the project’s artistic ambition and its readiness for international financing and distribution.
For Basement Animation, Ejo represents more than a single project milestone. It is part of a larger journey that continues to place Nigerian animation on major global platforms, from festivals and markets to development labs and international co-production spaces.
As Ejo prepares to be pitched at Cartoon Movie 2026, the production team has expressed pride in the story’s depth and relevance, promising to share more updates as development continues. For audiences, creators, and industry professionals across Africa, this moment stands as another reminder that African animation is not only present, but increasingly essential, on the world stage.
What does this milestone mean for the future of African animated feature films on the global stage? Are stories like Ejo the kind of narratives you want to see more of from Africa? Share your thoughts and follow ComicPanel on instagram @comicpanelworld_ for updates as Ejo continues its journey toward Cartoon Movie 2026.