South Africa’s Triggerfish Animation Studios will launch The Triggerfish Story Lab with the support of Disney and the country’s Department of Trade and Industry, according to Hollywood Reporter. The growing CG studio in Cape Town has seen international success with its first two features, Khumba and Adventures in Zambezia.
Triggerfish will be investing up to $3.5 million into the Story Lab over the next three years. The program is designed to give African storytellers and filmmakers the opportunities to develop their ideas with the guidance of the studio’s international network of mentors, with an eye to expanding the studio’s TV and feature portfolio.
Potential participating projects will be reviews by a panel including Aardman co-founder Peter Lord, writer Jonathan Roberts, Disney development execs, storyteller Gcina Mhlope, comedian David Kau and the Triggerfish development team — Anthony Silverston, Wayne Thornley and Raffaella Delle Donne.
Shortlisted storytellers will take two weeks of workshops with Hollywood script consultants Karl Iglesias and Pilar Allessandra. The selected Story Lab participants will also receive two weeks of mentorship immersion at Disney HQ in Burbank. Triggerfish will provide financial support, work space and guidance at each phase of development. Applications are being accepted through August 31. See http://triggerfishstudios.com for guidelines and online application.
