- South African animation studio Triggerfish has been selected to lead a group of studios in the production of an afrofuturistic anthology series for Disney+.
- The series, called Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, will be ten episodes each telling a unique African sci-fi story with different worlds, monsters and technology.
- While a firm release date hasn’t been set by Disney+, the series has been confirmed for 2023.
Streamers like Netflix have found success with anthology series of late, basically strings of short films or episodes that are disconnected narratively but not thematically. The likes of Love, Death + Robots springs to mind which was popular enough to earn four seasons on Netflix, and it has been renewed for a fifth.
Not to be outdone in the highly competitive streaming wars, Disney+ is launching its own anthology series, this time in the hopes of capitalising on an African audience (something that Netflix is also doing) with a new show called Kizazi Moto: Generation of Fire.
This will be an original ten-part collection of original animated short films “featuring the unique style and vision from creators across Africa,” according to a press release sent to us.
South African animation studio Triggerfish has been selected by Disney to helm the entire anthology, with collaboration between it and other studios across Africa and globally. Triggerfish is also producing an episode for the upcoming season of Star Wars: Visions also for Disney+.
“Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is an action-packed animated sci-fi anthology that presents ten futuristic visions from Africa, inspired by the continent’s diverse histories and cultures. A new generation of animation creators draw on uniquely African perspectives to imagine brave new worlds of advanced technology, aliens, spirits, and monsters,” says Disney+ about the upcoming anthology.
Disney says that each episode will feature an African creator, including Ahmed Teilab (Egypt), Simangaliso ‘Panda’ Sibaya and Malcolm Wope (South Africa), Terence Maluleke and Isaac Mogajane (South Africa), Ng’endo Mukii (Kenya), Shofela Coker (Nigeria), Nthato Mokgata and Catherine Green (South Africa), Pious Nyenyewa and Tafadzwa Hove (Zimbabwe), Tshepo Moche (South Africa), Raymond Malinga (Uganda) and Lesego Vorster (South Africa).
Additionally, Hollywood voice talent will be jumping on to bring life to the characters of Kizazi Moto. The cast includes the voices of Florence Kasumba (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever), Kehinde Bankole (Blood Sisters), Pearl Thusi (Queen Sono), Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Hotel Rwanda, Godzilla vs. Kong), Sheila Munyiva (Rafiki), Stycie Waweru (Supa Modo, “Supa Sema), Candice Modiselle (Generations: The Legacy), Lillian Dube (Soul City), Clementine Mosimane (Poppie Nongena), and Mandisa Nduna (Blood Psalms).
The cast is rounded out by comedians Tumi Morake (Serious Single), Sne Dladla (Black Tax) and Tyson Ngubeni (A Royal Surprise) and rappers Nasty C (Blood & Water) and Gigi Lamayne (Temptation Island: South Africa).
Aiding the effort from Triggerfish will be Peter Ramsey, the Oscar-winning director of Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston all serving as executive producers.
The show will air in 2023, exclusively on Disney+.
[Image – Disney+]
