May 6, 2021

The Future of Caribbean Animation honored at Kingston 2021

Back in 2014, we wrote about the embryonic animation scene in Jamaica. The industry was drawing support from the local government and the World Bank, which saw its potential for creating employment among the young.

Seven years on, that initiative is in full swing. Jamaica's animation production continues to grow, and its profile is rising. A pillar of the industry is Kingstoon Animation Conference and Film Festival, which wrapped up its (virtual) fourth edition on April 25. The event has announced the winners of its competitive section, which are listed below.

The competition is split into two strands, one international, one focusing on emerging talent in the region. Kingstoon aims to showcase and create opportunities for animation artists from Jamaica and the Caribbean, and this goal is reflected in the prizes on offer.

Finalists in the “best concept” category pitched their projects to Sesame Workshop and Nickelodeon. The winners of the “best Caribbean short film” award will get the opportunity to have their film shown on the major network Television Jamaica, and the chance to negotiate broadcasting rights with Hispanic telecommunications titan Movistar. The “best concept” winners will get to negotiate a development, representation, and co-production deal with Africa Animation Network and U.S.-based Baboon Animation Studios.

This year's event also featured a line-up of talks and other industry events, including a keynote speech by Pixar veteran Matthew Luhn and a panel on the place of black women in the animation world.

Read on for the full list of winners:

Image at top: “HOWZATT” by Rene Holder and Tracy Hutchings