Latest news with #Ghanaian-British
Gulf Today
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Visionary women take centre stage at animation conference
Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter Scores of students from all age groups, professionals and animation enthusiasts attended the 3rd edition of the Sharjah Animation Conference 2025 and heard from three visionary women who led a panel discussion 'Women in Animation: Leading Change & Shaping the Future.' Moderated by Paris-based cultural strategist Mounia Aram, the panel hosted Nigerian powerhouse Damilola Solesi, Ghanaian-British disruptor Comfort Arthur, and Kenya-based storyteller Sarah Mallia, all ready to challenge the industry's status quo. From Lagos to Nairobi, London to Accra, their origin stories spoke of resilience, cultural reclamation, and unapologetic ambition, proving that animation is far more than moving images and is about moving perceptions. Sarah Mallia, co-founder of Nairobi-based Pungulu Pa Productions and Freehand Movement, shared an unconventional path. A communications specialist for charities and UN agencies, she spent years commissioning animations for social causes. 'I saw how storytelling could drive change, but I wanted to create those stories,' she said. Partnering with her husband, a comic artist and animator, she launched her studio, blending her advocacy background with his creative expertise. Mallia spoke about collaboration as key to dismantling industry barriers, but women need to trust in their own strength too. 'Women don't have to choose between career and family; and it's important that we get our perspectives out into the world,' she said, highlighting her studio's focus on indigenous storytelling and environmental themes. Mallia's flagship project, Uli & Tata's African Nursery Rhymes, is a 2D animated series following siblings who rediscover Africa's disappearing nursery rhymes. The show blends entertainment with education, preserving oral traditions through lively and textured animation 'We have been proud to create beautifully illustrated comics and animations, turning complex ideas and issues into engaging stories that celebrate our cultures.' Nigerian animator Damilola Solesi, founder of Smids Animation Studios Ltd, opened with a nostalgic reflection on her childhood love for gaming and cartoons. Her 'lightbulb moment' came during a screening of Toy Story: 'I stayed until the credits rolled and realised hundreds of people brought that magic to life. I knew I wanted to be part of that world,' she recalled. Despite parental pressure to pursue computer science, Solesi secretly honed her skills in 3D character design through YouTube tutorials. 'The internet became my classroom,' she laughed. Her path to founding Smids Animation Studios was fraught with scepticism. 'People dismissed me for being young and a woman in a male-dominated field,' she shared. Yet her persistence paid off, with her studio now producing award-winning content that blends African storytelling with cutting-edge animation. 'Every 'no' fueled my determination to prove that talent has no gender,' she asserted. Ghanaian-British animator Comfort Arthur, founder of Comfy Studio, recounted her struggle to reconcile her artistic passions with societal expectations. Born in the UK to Ghanaian parents, she faced pressure to pursue 'safe' careers like medicine or engineering. 'Art was seen as a hobby, not a livelihood,' she said. After following her passion regardless, and earning a degree in art, Arthur hit a wall, and struggled to find employment in her field. An opportunity arose when she relocated to Ghana for an editing role, even though she had no prior experience, and with a rough start, her manager noticed she had a strong talent in storytelling. After gaining some experience and learning about the ins and outs of producing content for television, she decided to take the plunge and founded Comfy Studio, creating animated productions that tackled social issues like mental health and identity. 'In Ghana, I found my voice,' she explained. 'Animation became my tool to challenge stereotypes; both cultural and gendered.' Her work, including the acclaimed short 'The Peculiar Life of a Spider Girl,' and the impactful 'Black Barbie' which challenged the concept of skin bleaching and colourism, her powerful work and storytelling has since sparked global conversations.
The Print
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Print
Sharjah Animation Conference provides animators platform to showcase their success
Moderated by Paris-based cultural strategist Mounia Aram, the panel hosted Nigerian powerhouse Damilola Solesi, Ghanaian-British disruptor Comfort Arthur, and Kenya-based storyteller Sarah Mallia, all ready to challenge the industry's status quo. Sharjah [UAE], May 3 (ANI/WAM): The Sharjah Animation Conference 2025 drew scores of students, professionals, and animation enthusiasts on Saturday, who visited to hear and draw inspiration from three visionary women who led a panel discussion 'Women in Animation: Leading Change and Shaping the Future.' From Lagos to Nairobi, London to Accra, their origin stories spoke of resilience, cultural reclamation, and unapologetic ambition, proving that animation is far more than moving images and is about moving perceptions. Sarah Mallia, co-founder of Nairobi-based Pungulu Pa Productions and Freehand Movement, shared an unconventional path. A communications specialist for charities and UN agencies, she spent years commissioning animations for social causes. 'I saw how storytelling could drive change, but I wanted to create those stories,' she said. Partnering with her husband, a comic artist and animator, she launched her studio, blending her advocacy background with his creative expertise. Mallia spoke about collaboration as key to dismantling industry barriers, but women need to trust in their own strength too. 'Women don't have to choose between career and family, and it's important that we get our perspectives out into the world,' she said, highlighting her studio's focus on indigenous storytelling and environmental themes. Mallia's flagship project, Uli and Tata's African Nursery Rhymes, is a 2D animated series following siblings who rediscover Africa's disappearing nursery rhymes. The show blends entertainment with education, preserving oral traditions through lively and textured animation. 'We have been proud to create beautifully illustrated comics and animations, turning complex ideas and issues into engaging stories that celebrate our cultures.' Nigerian animator Damilola Solesi, founder of Smids Animation Studios Ltd, opened with a nostalgic reflection on her childhood love for gaming and cartoons. Her 'lightbulb moment' came during a screening of Toy Story. 'I stayed until the credits rolled and realised hundreds of people brought that magic to life. I knew I wanted to be part of that world,' she recalled. Despite parental pressure to pursue computer science, Solesi secretly honed her skills in 3D character design through YouTube tutorials. 'The internet became my classroom,' she laughed. Her path to founding Smids Animation Studios was fraught with skepticism. 'People dismissed me for being young and a woman in a male-dominated field,' she shared. Yet her persistence paid off, with her studio now producing award-winning content that blends African storytelling with cutting-edge animation. 'Every 'no' fueled my determination to prove that talent has no gender,' she asserted. Ghanaian-British animator Comfort Arthur, founder of Comfy Studio, recounted her struggle to reconcile her artistic passions with societal expectations. Born in the UK to Ghanaian parents, she faced pressure to pursue 'safe' careers like medicine or engineering. 'Art was seen as a hobby, not a livelihood,' she said. After following her passion regardless and earning a degree in art, Arthur hit a wall and struggled to find employment in her field. An opportunity arose when she relocated to Ghana for an editing role, even though she had no prior experience, and with a rough start, her manager noticed she had a strong talent for storytelling. After gaining some experience and learning about the ins and outs of producing content for television, she decided to take the plunge and founded Comfy Studio, creating animated productions that tackled social issues like mental health and identity. 'In Ghana, I found my voice,' she explained. 'Animation became my tool to challenge stereotypes, both cultural and gendered.' Her work, including the acclaimed short 'The Peculiar Life of a Spider Girl', and the impactful 'Black Barbie', which challenged the concept of skin bleaching and colourism, her powerful work and storytelling have since sparked global conversations. Running from May 1 to 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, the conference features an expansive programme with over 35 workshops, 16 panel discussions, and four world-class concerts, welcoming 74 leading figures from the animation sector representing 18 countries. (ANI/WAM) This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Sharjah 24
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
SAC provides animators platform to showcase their success
Moderated by Paris-based cultural strategist Mounia Aram, the panel hosted Nigerian powerhouse Damilola Solesi, Ghanaian-British disruptor Comfort Arthur, and Kenya-based storyteller Sarah Mallia, all ready to challenge the industry's status quo. From Lagos to Nairobi, London to Accra, their origin stories spoke of resilience, cultural reclamation, and unapologetic ambition, proving that animation is far more than moving images and is about moving perceptions. Channeling your own inner strength Sarah Mallia, co-founder of Nairobi-based Pungulu Pa Productions and Freehand Movement, shared an unconventional path. A communications specialist for charities and UN agencies, she spent years commissioning animations for social causes. 'I saw how storytelling could drive change, but I wanted to create those stories,' she said. Partnering with her husband, a comic artist and animator, she launched her studio, blending her advocacy background with his creative expertise. Mallia spoke about collaboration as key to dismantling industry barriers, but women need to trust in their own strength too. 'Women don't have to choose between career and family; and it's important that we get our perspectives out into the world,' she said, highlighting her studio's focus on indigenous storytelling and environmental themes. Mallia's flagship project, Uli & Tata's African Nursery Rhymes, is a 2D animated series following siblings who rediscover Africa's disappearing nursery rhymes. The show blends entertainment with education, preserving oral traditions through lively and textured animation 'We have been proud to create beautifully illustrated comics and animations, turning complex ideas and issues into engaging stories that celebrate our cultures.' Taking the initiative and forging a self-made journey Nigerian animator Damilola Solesi, founder of Smids Animation Studios Ltd, opened with a nostalgic reflection on her childhood love for gaming and cartoons. Her 'lightbulb moment' came during a screening of Toy Story: 'I stayed until the credits rolled and realised hundreds of people brought that magic to life. I knew I wanted to be part of that world,' she recalled. Despite parental pressure to pursue computer science, Solesi secretly honed her skills in 3D character design through YouTube tutorials. 'The internet became my classroom,' she laughed. Her path to founding Smids Animation Studios was fraught with skepticism. 'People dismissed me for being young and a woman in a male-dominated field,' she shared. Yet her persistence paid off, with her studio now producing award-winning content that blends African storytelling with cutting-edge animation. 'Every 'no' fueled my determination to prove that talent has no gender,' she asserted. Bridging cultures and defying expectations Ghanaian-British animator Comfort Arthur, founder of Comfy Studio, recounted her struggle to reconcile her artistic passions with societal expectations. Born in the UK to Ghanaian parents, she faced pressure to pursue 'safe' careers like medicine or engineering. 'Art was seen as a hobby, not a livelihood,' she said. After following her passion regardless, and earning a degree in art, Arthur hit a wall, and struggled to find employment in her field. An opportunity arose when she relocated to Ghana for an editing role, even though she had no prior experience, and with a rough start, her manager noticed she had a strong talent in storytelling. After gaining some experience and learning about the ins and outs of producing content for television, she decided to take the plunge and founded Comfy Studio, creating animated productions that tackled social issues like mental health and identity. 'In Ghana, I found my voice,' she explained. 'Animation became my tool to challenge stereotypes; both cultural and gendered.' Her work, including the acclaimed short 'The Peculiar Life of a Spider Girl', and the impactful 'Black Barbie' which challenged the concept of skin bleaching and colourism, her powerful work and storytelling has since sparked global conversations. Running from May 1 to 4 at Expo Centre Sharjah, the conference features an expansive programme with over 35 workshops, 16 panel discussions, and four world-class concerts, welcoming 74 leading figures from the animation sector representing 18 countries. For more information visit
Telegraph
02-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
Seven ways being more social than ever has helped me stay healthy at 92
For the first few decades of my life, I was quite a quiet person. But starting my own business – opening a model railway shop in King's Cross, which I ran for nearly 50 years – really brought me out of my shell. But it is since my wife died in 2018 that I've become my most social. I nursed her through the last few years of her life and some of her final words to me were: 'Now I'm going, you can go out and enjoy yourself.' And that's what I've done. I lead a very active life, certainly for my age – weekly jazz gigs, meals out with close friends and even yoga classes. It sounds like I'm boasting but nobody believes that I'm 92. Most people seem to think I'm in my late 70s or early 80s. I credit this with the fact that I was a keen racing cyclist in my teens and early 20s. It was physically demanding and such a workout that I think it set me up to age well. My vision and reflexes are good and my hearing is still in decent nick. My leg is the only thing that gives me any bother and it limits me from walking too far. But it doesn't stop me from seeing my friends daily. I love meeting new people and, I probably shouldn't say, but I do have a reputation as a ladies' man – most of my friends happen to be women. Here are some of the activities I do that are keeping me physically, and mentally, young for my age. Driving to jazz gigs I started listening to jazz when I was about 11 and I've enjoyed it ever since. I grew up surrounded by music as my family had a record business in Chapel Market, Islington. I listen to all sorts of jazz but Miles Davis, Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald are my favourites. I regularly go out to jazz gigs and often drive to get there (my optician said I've got 90 per cent of my vision and I hope to be driving for a few more years). It's a social activity, as I usually bring along one of my friends, who lives in the same active retirement home that I do and also happens to be a fan of jazz. Or, I'll pick up my children or some cousins and take them out to the 606 Club in Chelsea on a Friday evening. I also run a jazz appreciation group at my local u3a (a collection of interest groups that encourage older people to come together). Attending life drawing classes Around once a month, I go to a life drawing class. It really helps my focus – I have to concentrate pretty hard on what I'm doing. There's around 15 to 20 of us and it's sociable because we often go to the pub afterwards. I also paint in my spare time, a hobby I picked up after I retired. I was good as a child and, when I look back, I reckon I should have gone to art school but it didn't come up in those days. Joining a book club I joined a book club just over a year ago and I've enjoyed all of the books that we've read, including Small Worlds by Ghanaian-British author Caleb Azumah Nelson. Knowing that you're going to be discussing a book makes you read a bit more deeply and look for more things, rather than just enjoying the book. Going to a wine club I also belong to a u3a wine appreciation group now, which has steered me into drinking the right wines and knowing when the wine is good and when it's not so good. It sounds like I'm a terrible drinker and I do have wine almost every night but I do always limit myself to just the one glass – either red or white, depending on what I'm eating. Attending yoga and exercises classes I do a weekly in-person yoga class at the retirement home I live in. I don't know if it makes much difference for my physical health but I do enjoy it and find it relaxing. I also do an exercise class once a week which I'm perhaps not as good at. Watching the cycling I'm no longer cycling – I stopped in my mid-80s when my family became worried that if I got badly injured while out on the bike, I wouldn't be able to recover from it. But both my son, daughter-in-law and their two daughters are all keen cyclists and I'm still very interested in following bike racing and enjoy sitting down to watch it with my family. Organising a supper club I run a singles supper club through my local u3a. There's a group of eight to 14 of us who go out for a meal together. Each week, we'll have either a Sunday lunch or evening meal together at a favourite local gastropub in East Dulwich. We've all become great friends. Writing a jazz and art newsletter I occasionally write a Substack newsletter. Around half of the newsletter is about jazz and the other half is about art. I got the idea of that from my daughter, Sudi. I share it with friends and I've got about 40 or 50 people who read each one, which isn't too bad. Going on cruises I enjoyed the first cruise I went on so much that I immediately booked a second one and, since then, it's been two a year, which suits me. It's a nice, easy holiday which takes me to places where I wouldn't normally go. I've been to Norway, Venice and the Baltic countries. This year I'm going to Madeira and the Azores, followed by a second jaunt on a Mediterranean cruise. I book the trips on my own but this year I am meeting up with one lady I met on a previous cruise. It's very sociable and I'm looking forward to making new friends.
