Takoradi is the “creativity hub” of Ghana, says Brown
Takoradi has over the years produced some finest artiste in the country such as Kofi Kinataa, Pappy Kojo , Fameye, Keche, KODA, Nero X, AB Crentsil among others
The founder and director of AnimaxFYB Studios, an award-winning filmmaking hub in Ghana, Francis Y Brown has described the capital of the Western Region, Takoradi as the “creative hub” of Ghana.
Brown’s ‘Room 5’, an animation project recently made it to the 2023 Essence Film Festival making its his third consecutive nomination at the global animation festival.
Takoradi has over the years produced some finest artists in the country such as Kofi Kinaata, Pappy Kojo , Fameye, Keche, KODA, Nero X, AB Crentsil among others.
Appearing on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Tuesday (5 September), Brown, who doubles as a native of Takoradi said the area abounds with talent that could be tapped for socio-economic development.
“Takoradi has this lifestyle that promotes creativity, everything we do, the way we even talk, when we are talking we create new words.”
“We create walking style, we create our own dressing style, we set trends but for some reason it doesn’t become mainstream so, When you go to Takoradi, there is a full body of language you might that you might never hear anywhere,” Brown said.
Listen to Francis Y Brown in the attached audio clip below:
About Francis Y Brown
Francis Y. Brown is the founder and director at AnimaxFYB Studios, an award-winning filmmaking hub in Ghana, trained in a number of different cinematic mediums. He has over ten years’ experience in the audiovisual industry.
He is a jury member of the International Academy of Arts and Sciences (EMMY) and a juror at MIPCOM in Cannes.
He specialises in illustration, amination, film making and graphic design. Having attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts at the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI). Francis was shortlisted for the 40th Student Academy Awards (Oscars), won Best Animation Film at the Africa International Film Festival 2016, Black Entertainment Awards, Best Creative Artist 2017, Animator of the Year at Ghana UK Based Awards 2017 and also at Best Animator at 2018 Golden Movie Awards.
In year 2019 face2face Africa named Francis Y. Brown as one of the five African animators who can give their Hollywood counter parts a run for the money. In 2020 Francis Y. Brown was once again mentioned as one of the top animators making African animation go global by Africa vibes magazine.
His debut, Mmofra channel a 70min children’ s content was picked up by Amazon Prime making him the first African animation producer to achieve such a feat. Francis was honoured as a laureate of Africa 35 under 35 as one of the 35 most inspiring young entrepreneurs under the age 35 making great strides in Africa.
In 2021, his short 3D animated film ‘ROOM 5’ was nominated at Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Making him the only West African director to be nominated for the year and one out of four films from Africa in general.
The film has moved on to receive another nomination at the L.A International Shorts Film Festival, making it the second Oscars & BAFTA qualifying film festival for ROOM 5, nominations at the New York Shorts International Film Festival (Canada Screen Qualifier) and at the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Francis also won the Creative Art man of the year at the 6th EMY Africa Awards.
In June 2022, the young Ghanaian animation professional was made a jury member at MIPCOM (March é International des Programs de Communication), which is part of the multinational Reed Exhibitions.
He continues to be a regular feature at Meta Cinema Forum, the largest Africa and Middle East film and cinema convention. He is also a planning committee member and artistic director of the Afrotino Music Festival where Latino and African performers will be meeting in a number of cross-country concerts (Panama, Costa Rica, Columbia and Mexico).
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra
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