The Story ⚡
Lola Aikins, in collaboration with Avec ou sans Vous and Those Production Girls, has launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for Naledi, an animated short film inspired by her life story, with a goal of raising €50,000.
Tell Me More
Naledi is a 10-minute 2D animated short film that tells the powerful story of a star athlete struggling with grief after losing her father. Set at the African Athletics Championships, Naledi faces immense pressure in her first 100m hurdles final since her father’s passing. But when she trips mid-race, she suffers a panic attack that forces her to confront her pain in a deeply emotional and psychological battle. Inspired by Lola Aikins’ own experience with grief, sports, and overcoming personal setbacks, Naledi is a story about resilience, healing, and finding the courage to keep going. It also aims to represent African women in sports a narrative rarely explored in animation.
Currently being independently produced by Lola Aikins in collaboration with Avec ou sans Vous and Those Production Girls, Naledi has been in development for five years. Although they’ve secured a €20,000 grant from the National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa, those funds will only be released if they can raise 50% of their total budget. After hitting their initial €10,000 goal, the team is now pushing towards their ultimate goal of €50,000 to make this story a reality. Supporters can join their Kickstarter and enjoy campaign-exclusive rewards, contributing to a much-needed African narrative in the animation space a beautiful blend of sports, art, and real-life struggle.
Key Background
Lola Aikins is an award-winning film director, 2D animator, and visual development artist, born in Sierra Leone and raised in South Africa. She studied 2D animation at LISAA in Paris, France, and has since built a career as a freelance visual development artist and animator, working on various short films, TV series, and feature films in development. Growing up, Lola noticed a lack of representation of characters and stories that looked like her or reflected her experiences, which has fueled her commitment to bringing authentic African aesthetics to her work and shaping the identity of African animation.
Her passion for authentic storytelling led to the creation of NALEDI, whose teaser trailer won the 2023 Faku’gesi Award for Best Animated Short Film. Lola was also named one of The Mail & Guardian’s Top 200 Young South Africans in 2023 under the Film and Media category, further cementing her as a rising force in the African animation space.
Tangent
Naledi shines a much-needed spotlight on African women in sports a group that dominates global athletics but is rarely seen in film or animation. Through this animated short, Lola Aikins tells a story many young African girls can relate to: a strong, talented athlete navigating real-life struggles like grief and mental health. It’s refreshing to see a narrative that focuses not just on victory but on the emotional battles we don’t often talk about. In a world where African women athletes are mostly celebrated for their wins, Naledi reminds us that behind every medal is a human story.
In Summary
You can help bring Naledi to life by supporting the project on Kickstarter.
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