Character Design WIP (Prophet) Project: Chimera From Rough To Digital. #wip #characterdesign #sketch

SVA BLOG (Festival de Cannes)

http://filmandanimation.sva.edu/abdul-ndadi/

Going to the Cannes Film Festival was amazing! From screening my film “Orisha’s Journey” 8 times at their Short Film Corner (which is basically a short film festival within the Festival de Cannes), meeting and speaking with Director Guillermo del Toro, and having the pleasure to watch many wonderful films it was an experience of a lifetime! Sorry for taking so long to share some of my experience on Tumblr here’s a blog below for more details on my trip:) Thanks y’all! -Abdul

Okayafrica interview on my process and why I made my film “Orisha’s Journey”

https://www.okayafrica.com/cinema-africa-orishas-journey-abdul-ndadi/

Abdul Ndadi is an animator from Ghana and a graduate from the School of Visual Arts, NY class of 2013.  He’s created an animation film entitled Orisha’s Journey (2014) which will be shown at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival in Japan (21st August 2014 - 25th August 2014).

Orisha’s Journey is a fantasy tale of a girl’s journey through the spirit world (‘Orisha’ denotes a spirit in Nigerian Yoruba cosmology), who must learn about the importance of remembering one’s roots. The film, set in a mysterious walking forest, explores the power of a child’s imagination and the deep meanings and manifestations of Africa.

The film is based on African folklore. I want to show another side to Africa besides safaris, so I explore different aspects of different countries around Africa in order to give the viewer a pan-African experience. It’s important to me that Africans feel that no matter where they’re from, they’re part of my film. In the West, there is not a lot of exposure to real Africans  — most people only go as far as The Lion King.  I want to take people farther, to create a deeper meaning. There is a word in Ghanaian: “Sankofa” – it means to return that which was lost. It is a symbol for not forgetting your roots and learning from the past. It is said that a tree without roots cannot stand. - Abdul Ndadi

Some pics at the premiere of the Netflix series "5 Came Back" at Lincoln Center ... Steven Spielberg, Tom Brokow, and many directors where in attendance. The coolest part for me was running into Guillermo del Toro again! He remembered me from Cannes and asked how I'd been. Definitely a great experience. -Abdul

MAGAZINE INTERVIEW

A Ghanaian Animator On His Beautiful African Fantasy Film, ‘Orisha’s Journey'

Ghanaian animator Abdul Ndadi takes us through his animated short fantasy film, "Orisha's Journey."

Hi all just did a new interview with Okayafrica for their “Cinema Africa” series. It was a great honor to participate as they are a well respected platform dedicated to have the voices of Africa heard throughout the globe. Thanks everyone! 

Also, I’m pleased to announce my film will be featured in New York’s African Film Festival in Staten Island in their “Outdoor Summer Series” on August 3rd and in Harlem New York’s “The People’s Film Festival” on June 3rd

TV NEWS INTERVIEW

FILM FESTIVAL

Hi everyone! I want to share a TV Interview I did for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC News) for their “Trendz” section, which aired March 24, 2016 in South Africa and on the 25th in Nigeria. It was fun discussing my background and artwork. It features a peek of an upcoming project I’m working on as well. Thanks for your time!  -Abdul 

PART 2- I took the original concept of “The Lady, Or the Tiger?” by Frank R. Stockton and decided to create my own version with original characters and dialogue. Here are the storyboards. (Please see other parts for the whole story) WIP

Good news! My short film will screen at Annecy's 2021 Animation Festival as part of their focus on Africa. It's an honor to be screening there with the amazing Ghanaian animator Comfort Arthur @lady_comfy and all the other filmmakers from across the continent. Special thanks to everyone at the African Animation Network for helping put "The Best of Fupitoons" June 16th screenings together.

#annecy #africa #animation #film #orishasjourney #fupitoons #africananimation

Hey guys! I'm heading to Boston this sunday (1/25/2015) to the Glovebox Film Festival where they'll be playing my film along with a lot of really awesome ones! So if you're in the Boston Area come check it out gonna be a fun night...  Here's the link to the Line up! (mine is the last one in Animation Block II)

http://glvbx.com/festival-line-up/

Hey y'all! I wanted to share a "Flower Spirit" sequence from my film Orisha's Journey. In African lore, it is believed that spirits dwell within all things and so all nature should be respected. Being of West African descent (Ghana) I grew up hearing tales of this sort which captured my imagination. (shout out to my boy Iker Maidagan on bkg colors!)

2015 CANNES FILM FESTIVAL (FESTIVAL DE CANNES) SHORT FILM CORNER SCREENING

Hey everybody! I got some great news from France that I wanted to share... My film "Orisha's Journey" will be screening this May at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival Short Film Corner section! The Short Film Corner is a part of the Cannes Court Métrage program, where they feature short films they believe have merit and contain a message they feel resonates in the world today. I am truly honored to be featured in this years festival and I want to give a huge thanks to my family and ALL my friends for their help and support! I'll definitely give an update once they send me more info. Thanks!

-Abdul