Cape Town International Animation Festival Launches at Comic Con Cape Town 2026

Comic Con Cape Town continues its successful partnership with the Cape Town International Animation Festival (CTIAF) in 2026. The two shows have been sister festivals since the launch of Comic Con Cape Town in 2023, consistently bringing engaging workshops and practical educational content to the tens of thousands of fans walking through the Con’s doors annually, this year from 30 April to 3 May at CTICC 2.

CTIAF is the largest dedicated African Animation Festival on the continent, and it is all about celebrating the art of animation and helping the next generation of animators to learn, grow, and up their skill sets. The festival has hosted Academy Award-winning artists and directors, sparked co-productions, and helped launch projects that became worldwide successes. It’s a natural fit with Comic Con, which aims to shine a spotlight on local talent, and to uplift local artists and creators.

Cape Town continues to make its mark on animation globally – think Sunrise Studios’ box office hit David – and Comic Con Cape Town attracts fans, teenagers, and adults who want to explore these creative industries and learn how to make a career in them. CTIAF is the perfect place to start to learn more about what it means to work in animation, and the Festival has its own workshop zone at Comic Con Cape Town in 2026.

This CTIAF workshops and screenings are included in a Comic Con Cape Town ticket. One screening and two workshops will take place daily at the Con in Hall 8 at the CTIAF stage. In collaboration with leading educational institutions SAE Institute South Africa and The Animation School, the program offers hands-on learning experiences designed specifically for ages 12 to 18.

Shani Campbell, Academic head of The Animation School says:

“This initiative is about access and inspiration. By partnering with top-tier animation schools and bringing this program to Comic Con, we’re opening doors for young creatives to explore careers in animation and storytelling.”

Says Cameron Lawry of SAE Institute,

“Whether aspiring artists are picking up a pencil for the first time or already experimenting with digital tools, these workshops provide a unique opportunity to learn, create, and be inspired in an exciting, immersive environment”

Young fans are invited to check out the CTIAF schedule to make sure they don’t miss a moment of the exciting workshops on offer.

Screenings

Screenings take place from 12h00 to 14h00 at the CTIAF stage daily. This showcase will include these titles:

  • Glisten by Joel “Cyzo” Matladi & Mogau Kekana
  • Kalk Bay Fisherman by Lesego Vorster
  • Purr Factory by Alan Farber & Johan Scheepers
  • The Rise and Fall by Colin Payne
  • Gully for You by Teagan-Lee Bothma
  • Muti’s Cape Town by Studio Muti
  • Bounce by Tristan Cloete
  • Super Dad by Judah Ndanusa Danjumah
  • Gale of the Cape by Jeani Varty
  • Gelato Roboto by Craig Parker
  • Azania Rises by Lesego Vorster
  • Wildlife camera man by Erentia Bedeker
  • By Two by Wiam Bothma and team
  • Rorisang and the gurlz by Cabblow Studios

Workshops

Participants will explore the fundamentals and creativity of animation and game-making through sessions including practical and digital art workshops where participants will work with pencils, paper, clay and specialised software. Workshops happen from 10h00 to 12h00 and 14h00 to 16h00 daily at the CTIAF stage daily, with topics such as –

  • Life drawing to Storyboards and Animatic
  • Make your own Comic
  • Stylised Painting for 3D Models
  • Design your own Platformer Level
  • Preparing Character Design for 3D Modelling
  • Create Pixel Art for Games
  • Acting to Animation
  • And more

The workshops are presented by The Animation School and SAE Institute, two heavyweight educators in the animation space.

Talks

Sunrise Studios will be speaking at the Con about the making of David. The team will give Con-goers a taste of what goes into creating an animation of this scale. Catch this session on Friday 1 May from 13h30 to 14h00 on the Main Stage.

Full Programme

The full CTIAF programme is worth knowing so that none of the fascinating topics are missed.

Thursday 30 April 2026

  • 10h00 to 12h00: Life Drawing to Storyboards & Animatics, presented by The Animation School. Learn how artists transform real-life poses into storyboard panels used in animation and film. Sketch from a live model and create a short visual story that comes to life as a simple animatic.
  • 12h00 to 14h00: Screening. The Best of CTIAF short films. All African animation, all the time.
  • 14h00 to 16h00: Make Your Own Comic, presented by SAE Institute. Create a short comic using a ready-made story. Participants will draw 3–6 panels and explore themes like horror, comedy, or adventure.

Friday 1 May 2026

  • 10h00 to 12h00: Build A 3d Game World, presented by SAE Institute. Create a simple 3D environment using Unreal Engine. Participants will place objects, add lighting, and export an image of their final game world.
  • 12h00 to 14h00: Screening. The Best of CTIAF short films. All African animation, all the time.
  • 14h00 to 16h00: Acting to Animation, presented by The Animation School. Ever wondered how animated characters feel so real? Jump into fun acting and movement exercises to explore how animators use performance to bring 3D characters to life.

Saturday 2 May 2026

  • 10h00 to 12h00: Preparing Character Design For 3d Modelling, presented by The Animation School. Learn how to transform character concept art into clean, front and side views in readiness for 3D modelling.
  • 12h00 to 14h00: Screening. The Best of CTIAF short films. All African animation, all the time.
  • 14h00 to 16h00: Create Pixel Art for Games, presented by SAE Institute. Design pixel-style characters and environments using the online tool Piskel. Participants will learn how tile maps are used to build 2D game worlds.

Sunday 3 May 2026

  • 10h00 to 12h00: Design Your Own Platformer Level, presented by SAE Institute. Using Unity, participants will build their own level for a 2D platformer game using pixel-art tiles and ready-made assets.
  • 12h00 to 14h00: Screening. The Best of CTIAF short films. All African animation, all the time.
  • 14h00 to 16h00: Stylised Painting For 3d Models, presented by The Animation School. Paint stylised textures of materials such as wood, stone, or fabric using watercolours, and discover more about how these techniques translate into digital texturing for animation and games.

For more information, visit Comic Con Cape Town or the CTIAF platforms.

This year Comic Con Cape Town will welcome 36,000 fans to the CTICC 2. It’s a safe, exciting, colourful, and inclusive environment where kids can be themselves.

Comic Con Cape Town 2026 takes place from 30 April to 3 May at the CTICC 2, to be attended by an estimated 36,000 fans.

Secure Your Tickets Now!

General access tickets for Comic Con Cape Town are now available on Howler and selling fast! Kids 5 and under enter for free. No additional ticket purchase required but proof of age may be requested at door.

Connect with Comic Con Africa on social media:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn | TikTok

About Comic Con Cape Town with Capitec
Comic Con Cape Town with Capitec takes place from 30 April to 3 May at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 2). The event brings together the best of pop culture, gaming, art, comics, film, merch, television, anime, tabletop gaming, and cosplay. With international guests, local creators, immersive experiences, and family-friendly entertainment, Comic Con Cape Town is where fandoms unite.