Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire

Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire

 Anthology[1]
Genre
 Sci-fi[2][3]

 Fantasy[2]

Developed by  Shofela Coker

 Raymond Malinga

 Ahmed Teilab

Voices of  Florence Kasumba

 Kehinde Bankole

 Nasty C

Composers Amir Hedayah, Zethu Mashika, Zyon Black, Jordan

Bridges, Darlington Chikwewo, Kojo Dodoo, Kay Faith,

James Frank, Sek Hao Ho, K.ZIA,

Rethabile Khumalo, Femi Koya, Olaolu Lawal, Prisca

Leong, Tinashe Makura, Aero Manyelo, Joe-Louis

Marques, Anton Morgan, Tapiwa Mubeda, Mpho

Pholo,
Poptain, Ross Sean, James Ssewakiryanga, Oliver Stotz,

Pierre-Henri Wicomb, Adrienne Yong, Zap Mama

Country of United States

origin South Africa

Nigeria

Original English

language

No. of 10

episodes

Production
 Executive Peter Ramsey

producer

Producers  Tendayi Nyeke

 Anthony Silverston

Running time 10-12 minutes

Production Triggerfish Animation Studios

company

Original release

Network Disney+

Release July 5, 2023

Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is an Africanfuturist[4][5][6] animated anthology short film

series produced by Triggerfish.[7][8] It premiered on July 5, 2023, on Disney+.[9] It received
generally positive reviews from critics.
Synopsis[edit]
Each film has an African perspective, from one or more directors, on themes such
as social media, duality, disability, self-reflection, shared humanity, and other topics,
with stories which include time travel, extraterrestrials, and alternate universes.[10][5][11]
Production[edit]
On June 27, 2021, it was announced that creators from Zimbabwe, South
Africa, Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, and Egypt would be working on a ten-part series of
original animated films, entitled Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire. Peter Ramsey was picked
as executive producer, while Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston were supervising
producers, and Triggerfish was the primary studio, along with other animation studios in
Africa.[12][13] The release date was described "late 2022," with each film being 10 minutes
long.[12][6][14] Some described the series as a "recent breakthrough" for
the African animation industry, along with Kiff, Kiya, and Iwájú.[15] Development of the
series included a "multi-year research phase" to ensure the films accurately depicted
specific cultures.[16]
The release date was later changed to 2023,[17] It was later announced the series would
premiere on Disney+ on July 5, 2023.[18][2] A trailer for the series was posted on June 13,
2023.[19][20]
Before the series premiere, Ramsey described the series as displaying films showing "a
unique African perspective" on the future and science fiction, while playing "to a broad
audience," while directors Lesego Vorster, Isaac Mogajane, and Catherine Green talked
about the storylines and animation of their specific films.[11]
Reception[edit]
Critical response[edit]
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 100% approval rating with
an average rating of 8.30/10, based on 8 critic reviews.[21]
Charles Pulliam-Moore of The Verge said that the series is an indication that Disney is
embracing a global audience wanting "fantastical worlds dreamt up by...storytellers
working outside of Hollywood." He argued that each of the short films is unique, with the
series as a whole as a collection of distinct tales "informed by the sci-fi pop cultural
canon," which he compared to Star Wars: Visions, said that none of the shorts are
rushed or struggling to find their meaning, and added that the series will put many
promising "new talents on your radar."[22] Justin Carter of Gizmodo said that the series
blends African philosophy and culture with fantasy and sci-fi elements, with family as a
central theme in almost all of the episodes, while others explore the "idea of creation,"
with personality, in his view, shining through in each episode, along with "a superhero
splash" and focus on gentrification, and has the potential to grow into something bigger.
[23]
Lauren Westbrook of MovieWeb said that the series offers a different perspective
than other films and series, and provides a "deeply introspective cultural commentary on
modern society."[24] The Root described the series as their "TV Pick Of The Week."[25]