Fatshimetrie Awards: Celebrating African Digital Excellence 🌍
When world-class digital talent emerges from Africa but remains underestimated on the continent, the Fatshimetrie Awards stand as a clear and vibrant response. Indeed, these prestigious awards, now in their second edition, offer African digital art, animation, immersive media, video games and design a vital space for recognition and support.
In an interview with Eduardo Cachucho, Director of the Fatshimetrie Festival, the importance of these awards took on its full meaning. “These awards are much more than honorary distinctions,” explains Cachucho. “They are a platform to bridge the gaps, between international and local recognition, between creators and their audience, and between Africa’s immense potential and the resources needed to realize it.” »
Global collaboration for local development
The conversation highlighted a persistent challenge: many African creators contribute to globally acclaimed projects but often lack local visibility. A prominent example is Disney’s Kizazi Moto by Triggerfish, an anthology of African animation that garnered international acclaim. While its direction and narrative are deeply rooted in Africa, much of the production was done outside the continent. The Fatshimetrie Awards chose to recognize rather than reward this project, sparking a nuanced debate about the importance of fostering local production while celebrating international success.
“The special mention recognizes the quality of the work while urging international partners like Disney to invest more in Africa-based production,” Cachucho noted. This approach underscores the festival’s dual mission: to celebrate African excellence and advocate for the infrastructure needed to foster it.
Highlighting cultural relevance
Cachucho also spoke about the importance of cultural specificity in the awards. The winning video game, La Rébellion dans l’Est de la DRC by Adisi Games, exemplifies this commitment. Created in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the game explores the realities of war in the region, a subject often avoided or simplified in international media. “It’s not just about technical excellence,” Cachucho emphasizes. “It’s about telling African stories with authenticity and courage.”
Building for the Future
The awards are part of Fatshimetrie’s longer-term vision of positioning Africa as a global player in the creative and technology industries. Beyond recognizing completed works, the festival supports demonstrations and prototypes, encouraging creators to push the boundaries despite limited resources. As Cachucho points out, “It’s not just about celebrating what exists, but inspiring what’s possible.”
By creating a platform that celebrates African digital creativity while advocating for local development, the Fatshimetrie Awards are not just a showcase, but a call to action for the industry to invest in Africa’s creative future. This celebration of African excellence paves the way for new perspectives and opportunities for an ever-evolving sector.