Kenny Blaq and a Tour of  Three Cities

 A quick wit, infectious energy, and unmatched stage presence effortlessly catapulted Kenny Blaq—renowned as the ingenious amalgam of music, satire, and comedy—up the ladder rungs of fame. Currently back in the limelight with a “back better than ever” catchphrase, the 31-year-old multiple awards-winning sensational act, who once left his mark at London’s iconic Indigo at the O2 on September 30, 2018, in partnership with the acclaimed UK-based show promoter SMADE, is now poised to captivate audiences in Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Abuja. This would be for the fourth edition of his dazzling show, The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq, which promises evenings brimming with uproarious laughter and soul-stirring melodies.

Blaq, recognised in 2018 as one of the 100 most influential youths in Africa after winning the Future Awards Africa Prize for Comedy in 2017, still sustains attention and renown. On this upcoming three-city charm offensive, he plans to collaborate with top Nigerian comedians and musicians to deliver electrifying performances loaded with side-splitting laughter and melodic sounds. This exciting lineup promises an escape from the commonplace, transporting fans to a world of laughter and enticing rhythms.

A sneak peek into the proposed tour itinerary reveals the spectacular opening night, which is set for July 28 in the energetic, littoral commercial city of Lagos, enchanting audiences at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites. The tour continues to the majestic Aztec Arcum Event Centre in Port Harcourt on September 1, leading up to the grand finale on October 6 at Abuja’s esteemed Transcorp Hilton, as an icing on the spectacular three-city stint.

The Oxymoron of Kenny Blaq series, a magnificent spectacle where the symphonic marriage of music and comedy creates an enchanting patent of entertainment, has not only captivated audiences but has also become a trailblazing sensation in the performing arts industry. This groundbreaking creative marvel, crafted by the virtuoso stand-up comedian and singer—whose real name is Otolorin Kehinde Peter—stands as a testament to his unparalleled inventiveness and artistic prowess. With an exquisite fusion of humour and harmonious melodies, Kenny Blaq’s performance transcends the conventional bounds of comedy and music, offering a transformative and immersive experience that blurs the distinctions between genres and elevates him to undreamed-of heights within the entertainment realm.

Meanwhile, Blaq, who prides himself on years of expertise built on performances in several national and African events, is reported to be currently on a 10-city tour of Canada, the turnout of which he says has been amazing. “I cannot wait to finish here and come back home to prepare for the oxymoron of Kenny Blaq,” a press statement quoted him as saying. “My fans should anticipate different sides of me better than what they have seen before on July 28, September 1, and October 6, this year, and I will ensure the Nigerian tour will be talked about for several years. Get your tickets!”

Fans have also been enjoined to follow him on his social media platforms for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes sneak peeks, and much more.

With Sights Set on Annecy Film Festival, Five 

Nigerian Animators Present their Projects

Yinka Olatunbosun

T

he Nigerian animation industry seems to be gaining global acclaim as five talented Nigerian animators have been notably chosen to present their visionary projects at the prestigious 2024 Annecy Film Festival in France, set to take place from June 11 to 15. This rare opportunity comes hot on the heels of an intensive week-long workshop and pitch training held at the esteemed Alliance Française in Lagos.

The French Embassy in Nigeria, in collaboration with Annecy and MIFA, orchestrated a captivating programme intended to spotlight Nigerian animation projects primed for the global stage. Backed by Animation Nigeria, the workshop diligently equipped participants for their imminent pitch presentation in France, ensuring ample preparation and confidence.

In a close-up of the array of talent from Nigeria, the chosen animators stand out with their unique projects. Among them are Omoyefe Majoroh from Align Animation Studio with “Buddy,” Esen Unukogbon from Magic Studio showcasing “NokNok,” and Sagir Carpenter excelling with “Small but Mighty” under Gilded Hammer. Michael Eneje’s “Legends of Alkebulan” from Tribe Temple Studio and Jonathan Reagle Oyiriaru’s “Detective Jacqueline” from VX Studio round out this impressive lineup.

The Consul-General of France, Laurent Favier, noted that Nigeria’s animation sector has huge potential and affirmed the French embassy’s commitment to supporting and developing the animation ecosystem in Nigeria through capacity-building opportunities. “The goal is to stimulate cultural entrepreneurship in Nigeria,” he stated.

Explaining the screening process, the audiovisual attaché, Christophe Pecote, revealed a high quality of submissions, making it difficult to choose the five projects from the 24 entries received.

He also disclosed that to help the animators pitch their projects effectively, three mentors—Mounia Aram, Delphine Nicolini, and Omotunde Akiode—provided coaching. The goal is for Nigerian animators to attract international support and production opportunities at the Annecy Festival, where they will present their projects to around 80 animation professionals from across the globe.

He said the training was to make sure they convinced the professionals so that their projects could be produced. “It’s not easy to produce animation content in Nigeria. They need to attend international markets to get some international stakeholders. Nigerians are talented; they have incredible stories; the problem is how to pitch the project to attract international stakeholders.

“To sell your project, you have to be very efficient. You have to be coached and mentored to be efficient. This is the third year we are doing this; it started two years ago. Last year, we did a workshop on how to produce animations, but this year we are doing pitching because it gives a lot of visibility to them.”

Omoyefe Majoroh, one of the project holders, expressed her excitement about the opportunity, noting that it offers a chance to network with industry professionals and gain international exposure. She remarked on the growth of the Nigerian animation industry and the importance of meeting the requirements for a successful pitch. She said, “I and my team already know the requirements for complete pitch selection: teaser/proof of concept, production bible, pilot script, and synopses of springboard episodes. We have been working on the project and were happy when the project was selected.”

The MIFA Pitches at Annecy are designed to reveal the best original animation film projects at an advanced stage of development. The event aims to showcase a diverse range of projects, giving animators a platform to present their work to a global audience and potentially securing future support and production deals.