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The World of Niyah Zuri

Imagine children's programming that does not dull the mind but rather grows knowledge by exploring World cultures, history, and STEM with the boost of youth empowerment.

"The World of Niyah Zuri" animated short film follows self-assured heroine Niyah Zuri as she and her best friends Miguel and Hugo Gonzales time-jump through ancient lands to help children from history overcome challenges and ultimately secure our future. Kids will be inspired by our fearless explorers through narratives that instill positive affirmations as they boldly escape man-eating dinosaurs, bust out of booby-trapped tombs, and jet through the Milky Way at galactic speeds! Our youth are limitless and should be empowered to believe they are worthy of fulfilling their own destinies. This film, currently being pitched as an expanded cartoon television series, has the opportunity to defeat countless real-life issues our children are facing such as indoctrination, depression, and bullying.

By combining 3D and 2D animation, the film and future television series will be visually stunning as young viewers portal through centuries and explore legacies and traditions not commonly spotlighted in the traditional classroom such as Ancient Egypt, Imperial Japan, Ancient Maya and more! With an additional focus of education, kids are activated to improve their literacy with hidden vocabulary words in the environment of various scenes, which organically sparks a brain-game of word search; recapped at the conclusion of each episode. Parents and teachers alike will approve the streaming of this critical programming! Children should see a reflection of themselves in the stories and digital content they read and see; my mission is to inspire them, one adventure at a time!

  • Anna Nyakana
    Director
  • Anna Nyakana
    Writer
  • Anna Nyakana
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Animation, Short
  • Genres:
    Children, STEM, Education, Animation, World History, Black Culture
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 30, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    2D/3D Animation
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Anna Nyakana

ANNA NYAKANA

2X BESTSELLING AUTHOR, AWARD-WINNING SPEAKER, PRODUCER, & FILMAKER

Anna was born in Berlin, Germany in 1986 to a Ugandan father and German-Moldavian mother. Her family immigrated to the United States in the early 90’s, settling in Stamford, Connecticut. Beginning at age six, Anna pursued her musical passions and spent her teenage years honing her skills of songwriting and live performance until releasing her debut album in 2007 all while growing a revolutionary spirit through youth activism in her community. With a desire to be the change she wished to see in the world and manage an entrepreneurial career, she proceeded to attain her Bachelor’s degree in Business in 2011. Anna discovered there was an overwhelming need to empower the youth and chose to focus on literacy in order to give kids a true knowledge of self versus indoctrinated trauma. Out of this desire, the Niyah Zuri series was born and Anna took the next few years to write and publish her greatest literary work. "Niyah Zuri and The Pharaoh's Throne" hails as a time-bending exploration of Ancient Egypt lead by the fearless heroine Niyah Zuri and her best-friends Miguel and Hugo Gonzales. The adventure continues in the long-anticipated sequel "Niyah Zuri and The Mayan Eclipse," both chapter books equipped with a full glossary and free online resources for parents and teachers to access.

Anna has been featured on many media outlets to spread the Niyah Zuri message of diversity, empowerment, including SiriusXM, Entercom Radio, FOX, FOX Soul, PopFuzion TV, NBC CT, ABC WTNH, FOX 61, Connecticut Magazine, Sheen Magazine, Medium, and KIVO Daily. During her interview on SiriusXM’s “The Karen Hunter Show,” Anna stressed her mission of decolonizing the curriculums stating, “It is critical children see a reflection of themselves in the books that they read. My mission is to inspire them, one adventure at a time.” Working directly with school administrators, she has implemented the Niyah Zuri series in over 234 school nationwide. Building "The World of Niyah Zuri" an an8mated short film which is currently being pitched as a cartoon series. The animation will also be accompanied by it's own original soundtrack, executive produced and performed by the multi-faceted visionary.

Anna Nyakana has received many honors including NABSE's 2021 "Living Legend Award," Connecticut Magazine's 2021 "40 Under 40" list and February cover, The 2020 "100 Women of Color Award" and Valedictorian, and Official Citations from the Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut and Connecticut House of Representatives for her relentless advocacy on behalf of students in her home state to bring diversity back to the classroom. Additionally, Anna serves on the Board of Directors for the Born Rich Foundation, a Connecticut-based non-profit that addresses the socio-economy disparities in marginalized communities through education. Anna Nyakana lives in Connecticut - raising her two sons while growing the Niyah Zuri movement for all youth!

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