Pitching Session Presentation
Forum Création Africa – Pitching Session is the Forum’s highly competitive platform, showcasing projects in development per discipline. Each project combines strong artistic ambition with clear international potential and is ready to move into production.
The event offers participants the opportunity not only to present their projects to key industry stakeholders, but also to engage in in-depth discussions through roundtables and one-on-one meetings. These exchanges aim to explore financing and distribution opportunities, as well as identify the most relevant and organic markets for each project.
The ultimate goal is to foster international collaborations and support outstanding projects designed for global audiences.
Discover the six winners of the pitching session at the Forum Création Africa
DEENTAL X MansAnimation
With the support of the DEENTAL-ACP program, implemented by the CNC with financial contribution from the European Union and support from the ACP States organization.
Mentors :
- Sarah MALLIA
- Mehdi OUAHAB
Jury :
- Sébastien ONOMO
- Ariane SUVEG
- Mbuotidem JOHNSON
WINNER : Shofela COKER, pitching Crocodile Dance (Nigeria)
Shofela Coker is a Nigerian animation film director. He directed the animated short film Moremi, which was selected for the Annecy Festival (2023), and also served as the art director for the animated documentary Liyana (2017).
The project, co-directed with South African filmmaker Nadia Darries, is an animated feature film. Supported by the animation studio Lucan Animation, the project received development support from the MIFA Campus Talent initiative of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, as well as development assistance from the Durban FilmMart Institute (South Africa).
TV SÉRIES
Mentor : Neigeme GLOSGOW-MAEDA
Jury :
- Frank KANA
- Anieze OSAKWE
- Serge NOUKOUE
WINNER : Junior ASSANI, pitching Ngaki Power (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Junior ASSANI is a Congolese film director born in Lubumbashi in 1990. He studied film in Russia at the Saint Petersburg State University of Film and Television. He directed and produced three short films lasting between 15 and 20 minutes during his five-year university course. In 2018, he graduated with a degree in fiction film and television filmmaking. Upon returning to Kinshasa, he joined Emmanuel LUPIA’s audiovisual production company Tosala Films and has been actively involved in the production of commercials, local series and international films since 2019.
WEBTOONS
Mentor : Kim THOUVENIN
Jury :
- Wladymir LENTZY
- Joëlle ÉPÉE MENDANGUE
- Jean-Philippe MARTIN
WINNER : Salim BUSURU, pitching Avandu (Kenya)
Salim Busuru is a dynamic, self-taught artist with over 18 years’ experience in conceptualizing and consistently delivering high quality work for a diverse list of clients. His main focus is to tell the African narrative through games, comics and Illustrations, giving African culture and mythology a modern twist. This, he does through Avandu studios where he has created comic titles like WWM (Wana Wa Magere) ROVIK, SANAMU, KAHAWA. Games like KADE and OPERATION MLINZI among others. Before this he was working shujaaz.fm making comics targeted at the youth that have won numerous awards including the INTERNATIONAL EMMY AWARDS. Other awards include an ANNIE in 2024 for work on the short animation ENKAI, part of the KIZAZI MOTO anthology by DISNEY.
Twitter: @avanduvosi
Instagram: @avandu.af
Web: www.avandu.co.ke
email: salim.b@avandu.co.ke
VIDEO GAMES
Mentor : Hugo Obi
Jury:
- Jennifer LUFAU
- Mickaël NEWTON
- Bukola AKINGBADE
WINNER : Tade AJIBOYE – Pitching Go North (Nigeria)
Tade is a 28-year-old game developer who has been building games for over a decade. Asides from working on his own games, He has worked on many projects in the industry. A notable example is his work on Soccer Battle.
AR/VR
Mentor : Judith OKONKWO
Jury :
- Eyram TAWIA
- Selim HARBI
- Hammed AROWOSEGBE
WINNER : Alex MKWIZU, pitching Chronicles of Kilwa (Tanzania)
Alex is a multidisciplinary artist, data strategist, and software engineer working at the intersection of storytelling, research, and technology. He designs immersive experiences – from virtual realities to data-driven research – that educate, heal, and drive impact, particularly across Africa. Guided by human-centered design, Alex transforms challenges into meaningful solutions through empathy, creativity, and technological innovation.
DIGITAL FASHION
Mentor : Baboa TACHIE-MENSON
Jury :
- Nelly WANDJI
- Milcos
- Malik AFEGBUA
WINNER : Sarah CODJO, pitching SARAÏ (Benin)
Sarah Codjo is a visionary Beninese entrepreneur passionate about innovation, artificial intelligence, and impact-driven business creation. With a strong background in finance, audit, and control, she uses her expertise to foster sustainable growth and creativity across Africa. Founder of several successful brands — including Perlicious, Dazzle Skin, and Iced London 229 — Sarah blends art, technology, and social responsibility. In 2024, she launched SARAI Agency, an AI agency dedicated to empowering the creative industries through visual production and cost optimization powered by intelligent automation. Through SARAI, she aims to revolutionize how African creators design, produce, and showcase their work while enhancing the sector’s competitiveness and sustainability.
Cover photo: Forum Création Africa 2025, awards ceremony for the pitch sessions ©french Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
Capacity: 700 personnes
