Rendacon 2025: Where Imagination Powers Innovation in Animation
On the dynamic weekend of April 9th and 10th, creators, dreamers, and disruptors converged both in person and online for a ground-breaking event at Rendacon 2025, Africa’s flagship animation and digital creativity conference. Centred around the theme “Beyond the Frame: Telling Stories That Move the World,” this edition was not just an event, it was a powerful declaration of art, technology, and inspiration
From the moment the virtual curtain lifted, the energy was palpable. This was not merely another conference; it was a movement.
A Global Stage, an African Voice
With speakers joining from every corner of the globe and others making an impact in the vibrant venue, Rendacon 2025 truly showcased its identity as a global gathering rooted in Africa. The standout moment?
A captivating keynote by Gabriel Atsu Sikanku, Co-founder of Esports African News. He electrified the audience with his insights into the convergence of animation, gaming, and esports across the continent. His message was unequivocal: “The future of African storytelling isn’t confined to comics or cartoons; it lies in competitive gaming, AR experiences, and animated worlds created by us for the world.” He affirmed, “We are not just telling stories anymore; we’re building universes
Just as the applause began to fade, a resounding conversation was sparked by the founder of Shape a Child, who emphasized animation’s profound ability to shape young minds. She articulated how animated content can act as crucial tools of education, empathy, and empowerment, particularly for children in underserved communities
Panels, Pixels & Purpose
The two-day event was brimming with interactive panels, masterclasses, live animation showcases, and networking opportunities that seamlessly merged the physical and digital realms. Attendees learned how to pitch African animated series to global streaming platforms, explored the rise of AI-assisted animation, and mastered the art of storytelling in VR spaces. The knowledge shared was as rich and vibrant as the animations themselves.
Participants experienced:
- Esports & Animation crossovers, highlighting how gaming narratives are reshaping
- animation.
- Live demos of compelling short films from emerging African studios that captivated audiences
- Virtual booths and breakout sessions ensuring remote attendees felt equally engaged and connected
A Festival of Future Creators
Rendacon 2025 was not solely focused on the present
It was about forging the future. The event featured an “Emerging Voices” segment where student animators and indie creators presented their works to a panel of international judges. Many emerged with studio deals, mentorship opportunities, and funding. The atmosphere? Unrelentingly creative and undeniably inspirational.
What’s Next? Rendacon 2025 has set an unprecedented standard for animation events in Africa, proving what is achievable when creativity converges with community. As we close the curtains on this chapter, one truth stands tall: The African animation revolution isn’t on the horizon. It has arrived
