Film London’s commissioning programme for early career Black-identifying* artist animators
Artists to receive £3,000 to create a new 2-3 minute animation, including bespoke mentoring, development support and advice.
Four artist animators have been selected for the latest round of Film London’s FLAMIN Animations, supported by Arts Council England. Now in its third year, the commissioning programme supports early career Black-identifying* artist animators living in the UK to produce a new work.
The selected FLAMIN Animators 2023-24 are:
- Yasmine Djedje-Fisher-Azoume
- Folake Fadojutimi
- Gisela Mulindwa
- Duncan Senkumba
FLAMIN Animations is run by Film London Artists’ Moving Image Network (FLAMIN), which supports artist animators as they develop a career working with the moving image. The programme responds to the underrepresentation of Black artists within the art, film, and animation industries, and is part of Film London’s commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.
Freelance animator Yasmine Djedje-Fisher-Azoume said:
“Inspired by research on my work ‘Untitled’ my project will explore themes of femininity in Ivorian tribal fertility carvings and sculptures. Reinterpreted through both modern and traditional methods, I would like to use a range of approaches, including charcoal, screen printing and linocut. The work will incorporate references to traditional bronze statues by drawing and scratching into copper sheets.
Artist and animator Folake Fadojutimi said:
“Entitled Feed me and I will be the better you, this animation will explore AI and the fear of its potential, the fear of not knowing and yet wanting to know more of what AI is capable of. Despite all, the progression of development into AI continues.”
Experimental animator and visual artist Gisela Mulindwa said:
“Using real conversation taken from interviews with local people, this experimental animated documentary will explore how everyday spaces affect our subconscious. Growing up and living in South London, I have seen upsetting and fast changes. The people who built these communities have been pushed out and ignored. Working experimentally, I would like to use animation as a way to create a constantly changing space, while we go on a journey through these different stories”.
Animator Duncan Senkumba said:
“This short film dives into what it means to be part of a diaspora. It will explore the conflicting feelings of peace and disconnect when you visit your homeland; not knowing your own language; and the experience of being caught between two cultures.”
Previous FLAMIN Animators have gone on to showcase their work on the Piccadilly Lights as part of the CIRCA x Dazed Class of 2022, in Frankfurt at the B3 Biennial of the Moving Image, at the London International Animation Festival and at London’s Picturehouse Central and Rich Mix as part of the New Black Film Collective’s TNB XPO.
To find out more about FLAMIN Animations, visit https://filmlondon.org.uk/flamin/flamin-animations