Character Designer
My name is Rylan Benadie and I am a 23 y/o character designer from Johannesburg, South Africa. I have 3+ years of experience in the animation industry and have had the pleasure of doing work for large studios such as Disney and Dreamworks. I am currently freelancing but I am also accepting contract and full-time work.
Africa has a rich storytelling history and vibrant visual arts traditions to draw from in developing original anime and manga. This panel will explore how African artists and animators can leverage their cultural heritage and find global audiences hungry for fresh narratives. Our expert panelists will discuss building authentic African anime worlds, finding inspiration in folklore and spiritual traditions, using visual styles rooted in various African aesthetics, and pathways for exporting Africa-born anime to reach fans worldwide. Discover how the continent's creative talents are saying "Kizazi Moto!" (new generation) by spearheading an animation revolution.