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Dawn

In the depths of the Kenyan savannah, Malaïka, a young Masai warrior, comes face to face with himself and learns the true meaning of courage. Alone with his choices...

  • Gary Telly JEANNOT
    Director
  • Samuel BALTUS
    Writer
  • MI THOMAS
    Writer
  • Frédéric LOWE
    Producer
  • Gary Telly JEANNOT
    Producer
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    ALFAJIRI
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Music Video, Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 34 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 15, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    90,000 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Cameroon
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Gary Telly JEANNOT

At 13, he started creating his own comics, confirming his desire to create his own stories. After earning his technical high school diploma, he decided to return to his first loves, studying Fine Arts for three years. This period confirmed that he needed to continue on this path.

In 2006, Gary enrolled in a top 3D school in Paris, where he learned to master 3D and 2D tools, including Maya, After Effects, Zbrush, and many others. It was at this school that he met Samuel Baltus, and they quickly became friends, partners, and associates. With no apprenticeship contract, he decided to dedicate his free time for three years to creating short films based on his newly acquired skills. His mastery of these tools soon gave him a comprehensive vision of cinematic creation. He completed his program with an animated short film, Les leçons de maître Wong, which he finished with Samuel Baltus.

The short film won an award in Japan, as if to honor his original inspiration. He began his professional career as a modeler, 3D supervisor, and assistant director. He spent six years at Method Animation, a studio within the Gaumont Cyber group, on productions such as Miraculous, Playmobil, Droners, and Oui-Oui. This highly formative period allowed him to sharpen his technical and artistic eye. He learned from the best and developed an interest in sculpture and photography.

In 2017, he wrote and directed a 17-minute live-action short film, Meet an HAB, which featured a discussion between a human and an alien. He integrated a 3D character into reality and confronted a new way of telling stories, continuing to refine his techniques and photographic eye. In 2021, he began training at a photography school to combine and complement his knowledge of 3D and filmmaking.

In 2022, he and Samuel Baltus created their animation studio, Sanda Animation, based in Cameroon. Their goal is to breathe new life into African animation and highlight its rich folklore.

The year after creating Sanda Animation, he directed his first short film, Hekima ya Usawa, made entirely in 2D, which won awards for best animation on the African continent.
Today, the team at Sanda Animation isproud to present Alfajiri at festivals and to take this magnificent project as far as it can go.

Today, Alfajiri won 6 awards for the best animation movie.

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Director Statement

ALFAJIRI "The Prophecy of KITO" positions itself as a pioneering project in African animation. The project stands out in several ways:

An Immersion in Ancestral Culture

The narrative highlights a tribe whose way of life is built upon a deep culture and traditional social codes. This suggests the series could explore the richness of local traditions and myths, offering a window into ancestral lifestyles and beliefs that form the identity of a particular group.

Inclusion and Diversity

One of the project's pillars is the emphasis on diversity within society. By integrating characters with differences—whether disabilities or other unique traits—the series aims to show that a community's strength lies in accepting and respecting differences. This narrative choice is particularly relevant in the current context, where issues of inclusion and representation are central to cultural and social discussions.

Respect for Nature and Animals

The focus on the relationship with nature and animals underscores an ecological commitment and a desire to convey values of environmental respect. This theme aligns with contemporary dynamics seeking to raise public awareness of environmental issues, while drawing inspiration from ancestral traditions often in harmony with nature.

An Ambitious Project for African Animation

By positioning itself as the continent's first animated series to tackle these themes, ALFAJIRI "The Prophecy of KITO" aims to be a springboard for the animation industry in Africa. The stated goal is to showcase the continent's artistic and creative potential, offering motivation and an inspiring example for other creators and producers. Such a project could help open doors in a market often dominated by productions from elsewhere, giving a voice to local talents.

Stakes and Prospects

Valuing Cultural Heritage: By featuring a tribe with specific social codes, the project could encourage a rediscovery and appreciation of ancestral traditions.

Driving Social Change: The integration of diverse characters and the inclusion of individuals with differences or disabilities brings a strong social dimension, likely to positively influence perceptions and attitudes.

Innovation in African Animation: If the project comes to fruition, it could pave the way for new narrative and visual forms in African animation, thereby enriching the international cultural scene.

In summary, ALFAJIRI "The Prophecy of KITO" presents itself as a bold initiative aiming to merge cultural heritage, social inclusion, and environmental respect, all while placing Africa at the heart of a renewal in the animation sector. If fully realized, this project could not only redefine the codes of animation on the continent but also offer a new perspective on Africa's cultural and artistic richness.