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Triggerfish Animation Studios
Triggerfish Animation Studios
Triggerfish Animation Studios
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Triggerfish is a computer animation film studio based in Cape Town, South Africa and Galway, Ireland.

Key Information

The studio is best known for its animated feature films Adventures in Zambezia[1] (2012), Khumba (2013), and Seal Team (2021),[2] as well as the work they have done on television specials created for UK producers Magic Light Pictures.

History

[edit]

Triggerfish was established in 1996 by Jacquie Trowell and Emma Kaye in Cape Town, South Africa.[3] As a stop-motion animation studio, it produced multiple commercials for South African ad agencies. From 1998 through 2008, Triggerfish produced animation for Sesame Workshop for the South African version of Sesame Street, Takalani Sesame, as well as the US domestic and international versions of the pre-school kids' program.

Stuart Forrest joined as a junior animator in 2002 to work on Takalani Sesame for seasons two and three. In 2004, Forrest and James Middleton became partners in Triggerfish and in 2005 became the sole partners when the original founders left the company. In 2007, Anthony Silverston joined as creative director, and Mike Buckland joined as head of production. At the same time, the company moved away from stop-frame animation and relaunched as a computer animation studio.

In 2015, at the Premier's Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards (PERA), Triggerfish was named Business of the Year by the Western Cape Government.[4]

In 2021, Triggerfish received the Mifa Animation Industry Award at Annecy for "the pioneering role that the company has played in animation in South Africa, and Africa most widely.”[5]

Short films

[edit]

In 2008, Triggerfish created a 30-minute short entitled The Rise and Fall of Tony the Frog. The short was produced by Ambient Animation in Cape Town[6] for Isaac Entertainment.

In 2018, Triggerfish released an original 4-minute short entitled Belly Flop, co-directed by Jeremy Collins and writer Kelly Dillon. This was one of four shorts screened during the closing ceremony at Annecy 2018.[7] A second original short film,Troll Girl premiered at the Cape Town International Animation Festival in 2021.[8]

Triggerfish was one of nine studios selected around the world to produce a short for Star Wars Visions: Volume 2 anthology. The short, entitled "Aau's Song", was released on 4 May 2023.[9]

Feature films

[edit]

From 2006, the team began to shift focus to motion pictures by writing their first script Adventures in Zambezia, with US-based rights company Wonderful Works. The script went into production in 2009 and was released in 2012. In 2010, the studio started production on Khumba which started its worldwide release in Q3 2013. Triggerfish's third feature, called Seal Team.,[10] premiered on Netflix on 31 December 2021.[2] In 2022, Seal Team made the Netflix Top 10 Films global list for its launch week.[2]

Television animated series

[edit]

On April 16, 2019, it was announced that Netflix had given a series order for the animated superhero series Mama K's Team 4.[11] The series is expected to be produced by the studio in collaboration with CAKE.[11] Malenga Mulendema will be credited as an executive producer and writer of the series.[12]

In February 2021, it was announced that eOne had greenlit the animated superhero series Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes, about a seven-year-old African girl whose passions in life are dancing and martial arts. The original idea for Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes was created by Kelly Dillon and Marc Dey, then developed for television by Robert Vargas. Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes launched in March 2023 across linear and streaming platforms including Disney Jr., Disney + globally, and France Télévisions.[13]

In June 2021, it was announced that Disney+ had greenlit Triggerfish's animated anthology series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire.[14][15][16] Inspired by the continent's diverse histories and cultures, the 10-part anthology brings together a slate of rising animation talents from six African nations to produce action-packed sci-fi and fantasy stories that will present bold visions of advanced technology, aliens, spirits and monsters imagined from uniquely African perspectives.

Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse) is as executive producer, with Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston. Triggerfish is the lead studio for the anthology, working in collaboration with animation studios across the continent and globally. The development process was curated and produced by the team at Triggerfish, including Tendayi Nyeke, Anthony Silverston, and Kevin Kriedemann, who proposed the initial idea for the anthology.

The final 10 films are from Ahmed Teilab (Egypt), Simangaliso “Panda” Sibaya and Malcolm Wope (South Africa), Terence Maluleke and Isaac Mogajane (South Africa), Ng’endo Mukii (Kenya), Shofela Coker (Nigeria), Nthato Mokgata and Terence Neale (South Africa), Pious Nyenyewa and Tafadzwa Hove (Zimbabwe), Tshepo Moche (South Africa), Raymond Malinga (Uganda) and Lesego Vorster (South Africa).

Each film is 10-15 minutes long, and together comprises a feature-length anthology of original animation that will be released as a Disney Plus Original across the globe.[17][18] The series will release on July 5, 2023.[19][20]

Story Lab

[edit]

In mid-2015, Triggerfish announced the Triggerfish Story Lab, a program that aimed to develop African writers and directors. The initiative had the support of the Walt Disney Company.[21] Mama K's Team 4, the first Netflix Original animation series from Africa, was one of the projects unearthed by the Triggerfish Story Lab.[22] A second TV series from the Triggerfish Story Lab, Kiya! (previously Ninja Princess), was announced in February 2021 to have been picked up by Disney+.[23]

Triggerfish Academy

[edit]

In June 2019, Triggerfish launched a free online learning platform aimed at encouraging young creatives to create their first animated film.[24]

Filmography

[edit]
Feature films
# Title Release date Budget Gross Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
1 Adventures in Zambezia July 3, 2012 $20,000,000 $34,428,345 25% N/A
2 Khumba October 25, 2013 $20,000,000 $27,000,000 44% 40
3 Seal Team [10] December 31, 2021 $23,000,000 $905,428 68% N/A
Television specials
# Title Release date
1 Stick Man[25] (for Magic Light Pictures) December 25, 2015
2 Revolting Rhymes[26][27] (for Magic Light Pictures) December 26, 2016
3 The Highway Rat[28] (for Magic Light Pictures) December 25, 2017
4 Zog[29] (for Magic Light Pictures) December 25, 2018
5 The Snail and the Whale[30] (for Magic Light Pictures) December 25, 2019
Television series
# Title Release date
1 Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes[11] (for Disney Jr.)[31] March 22, 2023
2 Kizazi Moto[11] (for Disney+)[17] July 5, 2023
3 Supa Team 4[11] (for Netflix) July 20, 2023

Feature Film Awards & Nominations

[edit]

Adventures in Zambezia

[edit]
  • 2012 Best South African Feature Film at The Durban International Film Festival[1]
  • 2012 Best Animation at South African Film and Television Awards
  • 2013 Best Animation at Africa Movie Academy Awards
  • 2013 Best Children's Feature at Anima Mundi
  • Nominated for Best Music in An Animated Feature (Bruce Retief) and Voice Acting In An Animated Feature (Jim Cummings) at the 2013 Annie Awards
  • Nominated for Best Male Vocal Performance in An Animated Feature (Jim Cummings) at the 2013 Behind The Voice Actors Awards
  • Nominated for Best Director (Wayne Thornley) & Best Original Score (Feature Film) at the 2013 South African Film and Television Awards[32]

Khumba

[edit]

Prior to its release, Khumba screened in competition at Annecy International Animation Festival 2013, where it was nominated for the Cristal, and was in the Official Selection of Durban International Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival 2013.

  • Gold Panda Award for Best Foreign Animation (2013)
  • Gold Panda Award for Grand Prize (2013)
  • 2014 Best Animation at South African Film and Television Awards
  • 2014 Best Music Composition for a feature film at South African Film and Television Awards
  • 2014 Best Animation at Africa Movie Academy Awards
  • Nominated for Best Male Vocal Performance (Liam Neeson and Steve Buscemi), 2015 Behind The Voice Actor Awards[33]

Short Film Awards & Nominations

[edit]

Belly Flop

[edit]
  •  2018 Gryphon Award for Best Short 6+ at Giffoni[34]
  • 2018 Best Animation, Africa Movie Academy Awards[35]
  • 2019 Audience Prize: Favorite Short Animated Film, Children's Film Festival Seattle
  • 2018 Children's Jury Award at Cinemira in Budapest[34]
  • 2018 Best In Show and Best In 3D at Longwood Animation Film Festival[34]
  • 2018 Czech TV Audience Award at Zlin Film Festival[34]
  • 2018 Special Mention at Cinema In Sneakers Film Festival in Warsaw
  • 2018 Best Local Film at Kleinkaap Short Film Festival
  • 2018 Family Shorts Award at Tenerife International Short Film Festival
  •  2018 Audience Award: Best Short Film at Animatopia ICAF
  • 2019 Special Jury Award at CMS International Children's Film Festival
  • 2019 2nd Place: Best Short Film at Kingstoon International Animated Film Competition
  • 2019 Grand Prize: Short Film at Seoul Guro Kids Film Festival
  • 2019 Audience Award for Best Short Animation at Festival Internacional de Cine para Niños
  • 2019 Audience Award for Best Short Animation at Madrid Film Festival FCM-PNR

TV Series Awards and Nominations

[edit]
Production Ceremony Category Recipient Result
The Snail and the Whale BAFTA Children and Young People Awards, 2022[36] Best Animation Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
BAFTA Children and Young People Awards, 2022[36] Best Director Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Annie Awards, 2021[37] Best Special Production Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
British Animation Awards, 2020[38] Best Voice Performance Sally Hawkins Won
British Animation Awards, 2020[38] Best Longform, Best Use of Sound Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Nominated
New York International Children's Film Festival, 2020[39] Audience Award: Ages 3–5 Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
BANFF Rockie's Awards, 2020[40] Best Children's Animation Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Venice TV Awards, 2020[41] Children/Youth award Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Cartoons on the Bay, 2020[42] Punchinello Award for Best Short Film Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Sapporo International Short Film Festival, 2020[43] International Competition: Children's Short Bronze Award Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Xiamen International Animation Festival, 2020 Silver Award, Best Animated Short Film Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Chicago International Children's Film Festival, 2020 2nd Prize, Animated TV[44] Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Zog International Emmy Awards, 2020[45] Best Kids Animation Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Royal Television Society, 2020[46] Children's Programme Award Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Shanghai International TV Festival, 2019[47] Best Animation Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
New York International Children's Festival, 2019[45] Audience Award: 3-6 Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Won
Annie Awards, 2020[48] Best Special Production and Best Storyboarding (Max Lang) Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Nominated
British Animation Awards, 2020[49] Best Longform Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Nominated
Kidscreen, 2020[49] Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie Max Lang, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Nominated
The Highway Rat Rose d'Or[50] Children and Youth Magic Light Pictures Won
New York International Children's Film Festival, 2018[49] Audience Award: 3-6 Magic Light Pictures Won
Vila do Conde International Short Film Festival, 2018[49] Curtinhas Prize Magic Light Pictures Won
Annecy International Animated Film Festival, 2018[49] Best TV Special Magic Light Pictures Nominated
Annie Awards, 2019[49] Best Animated Special Production Magic Light Pictures Nominated
Revolting Rhymes 90th Academy Awards[51] Best Animated Short Film Jakob Schuh & Jan Lachauer Nominated
70th British Academy Film Awards[52] Best Animation Jakob Schuh, Jan Lachauer, Martin Pope & Michael Rose Won
6th International Emmy Kids Awards[53] Kids: Animation Michael Rose, Martin Pope & Magic Light Pictures Won
Annecy, 2017[54] Best TV Special Jakob Schuh, Jan Lachauer & Magic Light Pictures Won
Annie Awards, 2018[54] Best Animated Special Production Magic Light Pictures Won
Kidscreen Awards, 2018[54] Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie: Kids Magic Light Pictures Won
Shanghai International TV Festival, 2017[54] Best Storytelling: Animation Magic Light Pictures Won
Stick Man 69th British Academy Film Awards[55] Best Animation Production Team Nominated
British Animation Awards[56] Best Use of Sound Adrian Rhodes & Magic Light Pictures Won
Best Voice Performance Martin Freeman & Magic Light Pictures Won
Best Long Form Jeroen Jaspaert, Daniel Snaddon & Magic Light Pictures Nominated
Annecy International Animated Film Festival[57] Best TV Production Magic Light Pictures Won
Kidscreen Awards[57] Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie: Kids; Best Directing (Jeroen Jaspaert); Best Music (Adrian Rhodes); and Best Design (Sam King) Magic Light Pictures Won
Banff Television Festival[57] Best Animation Magic Light Pictures Won
Shanghai International TV Festival[57] Best Animation Magic Light Pictures Won
Singapore International Children's Film Festival[57] Audience Choice Award Magic Light Pictures Won
Bangalore Shorts Film Festival[57] Best Animation Magic Light Pictures Won

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Triggerfish Animation Studios

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Triggerfish Animation Studios is a leading production company founded in 1996 and headquartered in , , with additional studios in Galway, , and the . The studio specializes in creating premium, character-driven animated content for feature films, television series, and digital platforms, while also focusing on upskilling emerging talent across through initiatives like the Triggerfish Academy and Foundation. Renowned as Africa's largest and most awarded animation studio, Triggerfish has collaborated with global giants such as , , , and to deliver high-quality productions that blend innovative storytelling with diverse cultural perspectives. Since its inception, Triggerfish has grown from a local outfit into a global player, producing three feature films—Adventures in Zambezia (2012), Khumba (2013), and Seal Team (2021)—that highlight African themes and have achieved international success, including Seal Team reaching the top 10 on Netflix's global chart upon release. The studio has expanded its television portfolio with acclaimed series and shorts like Star Wars: Visions, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, Supa Team 4, and adaptations such as Revolting Rhymes and Stick Man, often in partnership with broadcasters and streaming services. Triggerfish's commitment to industry development is evident in its non-profit Triggerfish Foundation, which partners with organizations like GIZ, Disney, and Netflix to provide free training and resources to underserved communities, fostering a sustainable animation ecosystem in Africa. Triggerfish's excellence has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including Emmy Awards, Annie Awards, and the MIFA Animation Industry Award at the 2021 Annecy International Animation Festival for its pioneering role in African animation. At the 51st Annual Annie Awards in 2024, the studio won for Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (Best TV/Media – Limited Series) and Aau's Song (Best Music – TV/Media), with additional nominations for Star Wars: Visions. In 2025, Triggerfish received wins at the Children's & Family Emmy Awards for Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire ("Enkai" episode, Best TV/Media – Limited Series) and another category, as well as four nominations at the Irish Animation Awards for projects including Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire. These accolades underscore Triggerfish's impact on elevating African animation to the world stage.

History

Founding and early years

Triggerfish Animation Studios was founded in 1996 in , , by Jacquie Trowell and Emma Kaye, two animation professionals aiming to establish a boutique studio in the emerging local industry. Initially operating as a small team specializing in stop-motion animation, the studio focused on creating high-quality commercials for South African advertising agencies, leveraging and other traditional techniques to produce visually distinctive work. This early emphasis on stop-frame methods positioned Triggerfish as one of the few dedicated animation outfits in the country at the time, building a reputation for craftsmanship amid limited infrastructure for the medium. In its formative years, Triggerfish secured key commissions that expanded its portfolio beyond local ads. By 2000, the studio contributed stop-motion segments to Takalani Sesame, the South African adaptation of Sesame Street, producing animated inserts for the educational children's program in collaboration with international partners. This project, which ran through 2005, marked an important step in gaining visibility, as it involved joint ventures that introduced Triggerfish to global standards in character-driven storytelling and puppet animation. The work not only honed the team's skills in detailed, frame-by-frame production but also highlighted the studio's potential to blend African cultural elements with accessible formats for young audiences. As the animation landscape shifted toward digital technologies in the early 2000s, Triggerfish underwent a significant ownership transition in , when animators Stuart Forrest and producer acquired the company from its original founders. Under new leadership, the studio began pivoting from stop-motion to computer-generated (CG) animation, recognizing the efficiency and scalability of 3D tools for broader projects. This period of adaptation laid the groundwork for future expansions, with early CG experiments building on the narrative expertise gained from stop-frame work, while maintaining a commitment to premium, character-focused content.

Key productions and milestones

Triggerfish Animation Studios began its journey in 1996 as a stop-motion outfit in , , founded by Jacquie Trowell and Emma Kaye, initially producing commercials for local and international clients. By the mid-2000s, declining demand for stop-motion led to a period of dormancy around 2005, prompting a strategic pivot to (CGI) in 2007 under the leadership of new head of production Mike Buckland. This shift marked a turning point, enabling the studio to enter production and establish itself as a pioneer in African . The studio's first major milestone came with its inaugural feature film, (2012), a CGI-animated adventure about a young discovering his heritage in an African sanctuary, which became one of South Africa's highest-grossing films with over R284.9 million in global earnings and screened in theaters across 48 countries. This success was followed by (2013), a zebra-themed tale addressing themes of identity and prejudice, which ranked among the top five highest-grossing South African films at the time and further solidified Triggerfish's reputation for culturally resonant storytelling. In television, the studio expanded with adaptations of Roald Dahl's works, including the short film (2015) for , which garnered international acclaim, and (2016), earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. Building on these foundations, Triggerfish launched the Story Lab in 2015, a pan-African talent incubation program that unearthed creators for projects like Supa Team 4 (2023), Netflix's first original African animated series following four teenage superheroines in , . The studio also contributed to Disney+'s Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (2023), an anthology of sci-fi shorts by African animators, and produced the feature Seal Team (2021) for , a comedic tale of harbor seals on a mission that highlighted the studio's growing partnerships with global streamers. International expansion became a key milestone in 2020 when Triggerfish opened its first overseas studio in Galway, , supported by , to create 60 jobs and facilitate European collaborations while developing Netflix's African originals. This was followed by the establishment of a studio in 2025, aimed at recruiting local talent for upcoming TV specials and enhancing production capacity amid rising demand for African narratives. These developments, alongside ongoing work with clients like , , and , underscore Triggerfish's evolution from a local commercials producer to a global leader in character-driven with an African perspective.

Educational and development programs

Triggerfish Animation Studios has prioritized talent development in Africa through targeted educational initiatives, aiming to build skills in animation, storytelling, and production. These programs address the continent's growing animation sector by providing accessible training, mentorship, and opportunities for emerging creators, often in collaboration with international partners. The Triggerfish Academy, launched in June 2019, serves as a free online education platform designed to guide aspiring animators in exploring career paths and mastering core principles of animation and storytelling. Supported by the Goethe-Institut and Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the academy features short video courses created by studio professionals, including South African animation experts like director Tim Argall. Offerings cover essential topics such as producing for animation, which outlines best practices across the production lifecycle; animatic editing, focusing on early-stage assembly techniques; and animation storyboarding, emphasizing visual narrative construction. Additional courses like "The Art of Making an Explainer Video" teach concept building, scriptwriting, and budgeting, while "Career Advice from the Pros" provides insights into industry entry. Complemented by quizzes and exercises available on the academy's website and YouTube channel, these mentored programs help participants determine suitability for animation careers and develop practical skills for roles in studios or freelance work. In 2015, Triggerfish introduced the Triggerfish Story Lab, a development program in partnership with and supported by South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry, with an investment of up to $3.5 million over three years. The initiative sought to identify and nurture African writers and directors by soliciting original story ideas for animated content, receiving 1,378 submissions from 30 countries across the . From these, eight projects were selected for advanced development, including script refinement and production guidance through Triggerfish's global mentorship network. This effort highlighted untapped storytelling potential in , fostering original character-driven narratives with universal appeal and contributing to the studio's goal of elevating local talent to international standards. Building on these foundations, Triggerfish launched The Creator Labs in December 2024 in collaboration with UNESCO's International Fund for , specifically to empower women in the African industry and address imbalances in technical and creative roles. Open to women aged 21 and older from any African country, with a focus on self-taught individuals or those with 1-2 years of experience, the program comprises a Director Lab for aspiring directors and an Animation Art Lab for visual artists. Participants, limited to 20 per lab, engage in 2-3 months of online masterclasses, small-group , and networking sessions led by industry professionals, starting in late February 2025. By prioritizing vocational training in production for television and feature films, the labs aim to enhance skills and career advancement, promoting greater female representation in Africa's burgeoning ecosystem.

Recent expansions and partnerships

In September 2025, Triggerfish Animation Studios expanded its global footprint by establishing a new production studio in the , marking a strategic move to bolster its European operations and enhance collaboration with regional clients and co-production partners. The initiative aims to leverage the 's vibrant creative ecosystem, tax incentives, and access to local talent to increase output in feature films, series, and specials, with initial recruitment efforts targeting roles for an upcoming TV special and a Head of position to oversee projects. Earlier in February 2024, signed a collaboration agreement with the (IFC), a member of the , to drive growth in Africa's animation industry. Under this partnership, IFC provides market expertise to support Triggerfish's expansion strategy, focusing on job creation, skills development for women and , and amplifying African narratives for international audiences amid the sector's projected global growth from $167.9 billion in 2021 to $401.0 billion by 2030. In December 2024, partnered with through its foundation to launch "The Creator Labs," a targeted program addressing gender disparities in African by empowering female creators. The initiative features a Director Lab and an Art Lab, offering masterclasses led by industry leaders, with applications open from December 9, 2024, to January 5, 2025, and online sessions commencing in March 2025 to foster inclusivity and innovative storytelling.

Productions

Feature films

Triggerfish Animation Studios has produced three feature-length animated films, all computer-animated and emphasizing themes of adventure, self-discovery, and community in African-inspired settings or oceanic environments. These films represent the studio's efforts to create original content with universal appeal, often drawing on local talent and international partnerships for distribution and voice casting. The productions highlight Triggerfish's growth as Africa's leading animation studio, with each film achieving varying degrees of global release and commercial success. The studio's debut feature, (2012), is a 3D animated adventure directed by Wayne Thornley and produced in collaboration with the National Film and Video Foundation of . The story follows Kai, a young raised in isolation by his overprotective father (voiced by ), who ventures to the vibrant bird city of Zambezia, where he joins a of feathered protectors facing threats from marabou storks. Featuring voices such as as Kai, as Zoe, and as Ajax, the film blends humor, action, and environmental messages, becoming 's highest-grossing animated feature at the time with over 200,000 admissions locally and international releases in more than 30 countries. It premiered at the International and was praised for its lush visuals and representation of African wildlife. In 2013, released Khumba, its second , directed by Silver and co-directed by Wayne Thornley, with distribution handled by Entertainment in the United States. The narrative centers on , a young zebra born with only half his stripes (voiced by ), who embarks on a perilous journey across the African savanna to earn full stripes from a mythical mountain, encountering a motley crew including a (voiced by ) and an (voiced by ). The film addresses themes of identity and through vibrant and humor, earning recognition for its cultural authenticity and receiving the Audience Award at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific . It grossed over $20 million worldwide and was dubbed into multiple languages for global markets. Triggerfish's most recent feature, Seal Team (2021), is an action-comedy co-directed by Greig Cameron and Kane Croudace, produced in partnership with Cinema Management Group and released exclusively on . The plot revolves around Quinn (voiced by Kali J. Barrett), a fearless but inexperienced seal who assembles a ragtag of aquatic misfits—including a , a penguin, and a shark pup—to battle a gang of ruthless sharks terrorizing their ocean home after a personal tragedy. With voices from John Rhys-Davies, Samuel L. Jackson, and Richard E. Grant, the film combines high-energy sequences, slapstick comedy, and underwater visuals rendered in Triggerfish's proprietary animation pipeline. Upon release, it quickly climbed to the Netflix Global Top 10, viewed in over 60 countries, and received positive reviews for its family-friendly entertainment value and diverse voice cast, holding a 66% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Television series and specials

Triggerfish Animation Studios has established a strong presence in production through collaborations with international partners, focusing on high-quality animated specials and series that often adapt beloved children's literature or explore African-inspired narratives. The studio's TV output emphasizes storytelling with cultural depth, innovative techniques, and global appeal, contributing to its reputation as a leader in African . Many of its early television projects involved providing services for UK-based , resulting in award-winning holiday specials broadcast on . A significant portion of Triggerfish's television work includes a series of animated specials adapting Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's children's books, produced in partnership with Magic Light Pictures. The collaboration began with Stick Man (2015), a 27-minute special about a wooden figure's adventurous journey home, which aired on BBC One and won a BAFTA Television Award for Best Children's Animation as well as a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Special Class Animated Program. This was followed by Revolting Rhymes (2016), an Oscar-nominated adaptation of Roald Dahl's poetry collection featuring twisted fairy tales with voices by actors like and ; the 60-minute special utilized a mix of 2D and 3D animation styles for its whimsical, dark humor. Subsequent specials include The Highway Rat (2017), a swashbuckling tale of a greedy rodent bandit that earned a for Children's Animation; Zog (2018), chronicling a clumsy dragon's quest for a golden star at school, which secured an International Emmy for Best Kids Animation; The Snail and the Whale (2019), depicting an unlikely friendship across oceans and winning an Annie Award for Best Special Production; and Zog and the Flying Doctors (2020), a sequel emphasizing medical mishaps and bravery. Most recently, Tiddler (2024), a 22-minute special about a imaginative little fish's tall tales, premiered on and iPlayer, featuring a star-studded voice cast including and . These specials, animated primarily at Triggerfish's facilities, highlight the studio's expertise in blending stop-motion aesthetics with CGI for engaging family viewing. In addition to these literary adaptations, has produced original series that showcase African perspectives and futuristic themes. Supa Team 4 (2023–present), Netflix's first original African , follows four teenage girls in , , recruited as superheroes by a retired spy; co-produced with and created by Malenga Mulendema, the show premiered on July 20, 2023 (Season 1), with Season 2 on December 21, 2023, and subsequent seasons emphasizing empowerment, STEM themes, and Afro-futurism across 13-episode arcs. Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes (2023–present), a action-adventure series for Disney Junior, centers on a 7-year-old girl and her friends using dance, martial arts, and creativity to protect their vibrant, African-inspired city of Kimoja; co-produced with Entertainment One (now ), , and Frog Box, it debuted on March 22, 2023, with 39 episodes promoting problem-solving and cultural diversity. Triggerfish also ventured into sci-fi with Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (2023), a 10-episode for Disney+ that presents Afrofuturist visions from across , blending advanced technology, mythology, and speculative futures; produced in collaboration with Animation, it premiered on August 5, 2023, featuring shorts directed by emerging African animators and earning praise for its bold cultural representation. The studio contributed to the Star Wars: Visions anthology with "Aau's Song" in Volume 2 (2023), a 15-minute short exploring lore through an African lens, directed by Triggerfish and nominated for an Annie Award; this marked their entry into franchise animation for Disney+. These projects demonstrate Triggerfish's growing role in international television, leveraging partnerships to distribute African talent globally while earning accolades like Emmys, Annies, and BAFTAs for innovative and production quality.

Short films and other works

Triggerfish Animation Studios has produced a variety of short films and other animated works, including TV specials, festival shorts, and contributions to anthologies, often in collaboration with international partners like and . These projects showcase the studio's expertise in both 2D and 3D , frequently drawing on African themes or global to address social issues and entertain young audiences. One of the studio's notable early short films is Belly Flop (2018), a CG-animated tale about a young fish aspiring to join a synchronized swimming team, serving as a metaphor for overcoming limitations in resource-scarce environments like Africa's animation industry. The film screened at over 140 festivals worldwide and won approximately 14 awards, highlighting Triggerfish's ability to create impactful stories on a modest budget. It later inspired the preschool series Rosy Days. More recent shorts demonstrate Triggerfish's growing involvement in global anthologies and social campaigns. Aau's Song (2023), directed by Nadia Darries and Daniel Clarke, is a 2D-animated entry in Disney+'s Star Wars: Visions Volume 2, exploring themes of legacy and heroism through an orphaned Twi'lek's journey on a remote planet; it received nominations at the Prix Jeunesse International and . In 2021, the studio co-produced Troll Girl, a short addressing and in a South African school setting, in partnership with the ShortSharpShorts and Video Foundation. Additionally, Gale of the Cape (2022), a 2D short created as a promotional trailer for the International Animation Festival, illustrates the studio's production process from concept to completion. Triggerfish is also developing a Pan-African short campaign focused on female entrepreneurship, selecting diverse creatives to animate stories of women-led businesses across the continent. Beyond shorts, Triggerfish's other works include early stop-motion commercials and segments for educational programs like and South Africa's since the late 1990s, which helped establish the studio's reputation in international animation services. The studio has also contributed to animated games and apps, though details remain under non-disclosure agreements, and produced promotional content such as the Triggerfish Story Lab TV commercial to scout African talent. These diverse efforts underscore Triggerfish's role in building Africa's animation ecosystem through accessible, story-driven content.

Awards and recognition

Feature film awards

Triggerfish Animation Studios' feature films have received recognition primarily from African and international animation festivals, highlighting their contributions to the continent's animation industry. The studio's debut feature, Adventures in Zambezia (2012), marked a milestone as the first South African 3D animated film to achieve significant acclaim, winning Best Animation at the 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in 2013. It also secured Best Animation at the 7th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in 2013. Additionally, the film earned Best South African Feature Film at the Durban International Film Festival in 2012 and Best Feature for Children at the 21st Anima Mundi International Animation Festival in Rio de Janeiro in 2013. Nominations at the 40th Annie Awards in 2013 for Best Music in an Animated Feature Production and Best Voice Acting further underscored its global appeal. The studio's second feature, (2013), continued this success by winning Best Animation at the 10th AMAA in 2014, making Triggerfish the first studio to win the category consecutively. It also claimed Best Animation at the 8th SAFTAs in 2014. These victories emphasized Triggerfish's growing influence in promoting African narratives through , with drawing international attention for its rooted in South African wildlife. Triggerfish's third feature, Seal Team (2021), premiered on and achieved commercial success by entering the platform's global Top 10 Films list in 27 countries shortly after release, though it has not yet garnered major feature-specific awards documented in industry reports. The film's production aligned with broader studio honors, such as the 2021 Mifa Animation Industry Award at the International Festival, which recognized Triggerfish's overall impact rather than individual titles.
FilmAwardYearSource
Adventures in ZambeziaBest Animation (AMAA)2013
Adventures in ZambeziaBest Animation (SAFTAs)2013
Adventures in ZambeziaBest South African Feature Film (Durban International Film Festival)2012
Adventures in ZambeziaBest Feature for Children (Anima Mundi)2013
KhumbaBest Animation (AMAA)2014
KhumbaBest Animation (SAFTAs)2014

Television and short film awards

Triggerfish Animation Studios has garnered significant recognition for its television productions and short films, particularly through prestigious international awards that highlight the studio's contributions to animated storytelling. One of the studio's notable television achievements is the animated special Stick Man (2015), which Triggerfish co-produced with Magic Light Pictures. The film won the Cristal for Best TV Production at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2016, marking a major milestone for South African animation on the global stage. It also secured four awards at the 2017 Kidscreen Awards: Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie for Kids; Best Direction (Jeroen Jaspaert and Daniel Snaddon); Best Music; and Best Design, underscoring its excellence in narrative and production quality. The 2019 special The Snail and the Whale, another collaboration with , earned the for Best Animated Special Production at the 48th Annual in 2021. Directed in part by South African filmmaker Daniel Snaddon, the adaptation of Julia Donaldson's book was praised for its heartfelt and emotional depth. In the realm of short films, Triggerfish's Belly Flop (2018) received widespread acclaim, winning Best at the 14th Movie Academy Awards. The short, directed by and exploring themes of perseverance, also claimed the Gryphon Award for Best Short Film (6+) at the Giffoni in 2018, contributing to its success across over 60 international festivals. Triggerfish has also earned accolades for adaptations of and Julia Donaldson's works. Revolting Rhymes (2016), co-produced with , won the BAFTA Children's Award for Best Animation in 2017 and the International Emmy Kids Award for Best Animation in 2018, and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film in 2018. Similarly, Zog (2018), another collaboration, won the International Emmy Kids Award for Best Animation in 2020. The anthology series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (2023), a Disney+ limited series comprising 10 original short films by African animators, won the Annie Award for Best Limited Series (TV/Media) at the 51st Annual Annie Awards in 2024. Produced by in partnership with , the series celebrated African . Triggerfish's episode "Aau's Song" in Star Wars: Visions Volume 2 (2023) secured the Annie Award for Best Music – TV/Media at the 51st Annual Annie Awards in 2024, recognizing its innovative score. The series as a whole received six Annie Award nominations in 2024. The studio's series Supa Team 4 (2023–present) received a Children's & Family Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Casting for an Animated Program in 2024, with individual achievement recognition for Lesego Vorster at the 2025 Children's & Family Emmy Awards. At the Irish Animation Awards in 2025, Triggerfish won Best Direction of an Animated TV Series, Best Design and Art Direction, and Best VFX Animation for episodes of Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire.

Industry and organizational honors

Triggerfish Animation Studios has received significant recognition for its contributions to the industry, particularly in fostering growth and innovation in . In 2021, the studio was awarded the MIFA Animation Industry Award at the , honoring its pioneering role in developing in and across the continent, as well as its success in producing high-quality content and supporting talent through initiatives like the Triggerfish Animation Academy and Story Lab. This accolade, presented during a year focused on African , underscored the studio's impact on building a sustainable for animators and storytellers in the region. On the organizational front, Triggerfish has been celebrated for its entrepreneurial achievements and global outreach. At the 2015 Premier's Entrepreneurship Recognition Awards (PERA), organized by the Western Cape Government, the studio was named Business of the Year, recognizing its overall excellence in business innovation, job creation, and economic contribution within the province. Additionally, it won the Business with Global Reach category at the same event, highlighting its ability to compete internationally and expand South African to worldwide audiences through partnerships and exports. These honors reflect Triggerfish's role in elevating the local creative economy while maintaining high standards in a competitive global market.

References

  1. https://www.triggerfish.com/about-us/
  2. https://www.cartoonbrew.com/business/triggerfish-opens-u-k-studio-254894.html
  3. https://www.ifc.org/en/pressroom/2024/ifc-partners-with-triggerfish-to-boost-africas-animation-sector
  4. https://www.triggerfish.com/2491-2-2/
  5. https://www.triggerfish.com/
  6. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-29-triggerfish-animation-studios-28-year-journey-to-overnight-success/
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  8. https://www.pfangirl.com/features/triggerfish-animation-studios-28-year-journey-to-overnight-success/
  9. https://www.samdb.co.za/blogs/blog/2024/02/20/triggerfish-scoops-multiple-honours-as-african-animation-shines-this-award-season/
  10. https://annieawards.org/legacy/51st-annie-awards
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  14. https://memeburn.com/2018/03/triggerfish-cape-town-oscars-2018/
  15. https://www.okayafrica.com/from-capetown-to-a-galaxy-far-far-away-a-south-african-animation-studio-reimagines-star-wars/151765
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  17. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346191734_A_Comparative_Analysis_of_the_Transition_from_Stop-Motion_to_CG_Animation_at_Two_South_African_Studios_Sunrise_and_Triggerfish
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  42. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOjmxp7LH-k
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  44. https://qz.com/africa/1473637/watch-award-winning-animated-short-film-belly-flop
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  55. https://www.goodthingsguy.com/lifestyle/snail-and-the-whale-win-global-animation-prize/
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  66. https://www.polity.org.za/article/wc-western-capes-top-entrepreneurs-announced-2015-11-20
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