Project:Chimera WIP (swipe) #scifi #afrofuturism #fantasy #cyberpunk #wip #comics #animation #illustration

http://www.okayafrica.com/news/cinema-africa-orishas-journey-abdul-ndadi/

New interview with Okayafrica on my process and why I made my film “Orisha’s Journey”

Going to the Cannes Film Festival was amazing! From screening my film “Orisha’s Journey” 8 times at their Short Film Corner (which is basically a short film festival within the Festival de Cannes), meeting and speaking with Director Guillermo del Toro, and having the pleasure to watch many wonderful films it was an experience of a lifetime! Sorry for taking so long to share some of my experience on tumblr here’s a blog below for more details on my trip:) Thanks y’all!

-Abdul

http://filmandanimation.sva.edu/abdul-ndadi/ 

Hi! My film Orisha’s Journey won a “Special Mention Award” at Fupitoons Film Festival in Johanessberg, South Africa last weekend. It’s Africa’s first Animation festival, so I’m honored to have participated. 

Variety Magazine Article

http://variety.com/2017/tv/festivals/african-toons-take-off-regional-global-partnerships-blossom-1202596273/

Okayafrica Article

http://www.okayafrica.com/cinema-africa-orishas-journey-abdul-ndadi/

I had the pleasure meeting director Ari Aster (Midsommar) at the Korean Film Festival where he presented "Save the Green Planet" which was Awesome btw! Also, here are a few other events feat: Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse), Martin Scorsese (The Irishman), Ladj Ly (Les misérables 2019 Cannes jury prize winner) @ghettofilmschool , Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver), Antonio Banderas (Pain & Glory), etc. #midsommar #thelighthouse #theirishman #film #filmmaker #storytelling #lesmiserables #taxidriver #pedroalmodovar #savethegreenplanet #cinema #writing https://www.instagram.com/p/B6b-ifjgH_8/?igshid=1nfskel4jcqb8

Character Design WIP (Prophet) Project: Chimera from rough to digital. #wip #characterdesign #sketch #ink #comics #animation #cyberpunk #scifi #digitalart (at New York, New York)

Just came from an inspiring panel with the creator of Hellboy Mike Mignola at SVA theatre. #mikemignola #hellboy #comics #sva #comicsallies #inspiring (at New York, New York) https://www.instagram.com/anansiweb/p/Bthoh2xlR1t/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12sggs52s7usw

MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Hi all, I was featured in an article about the art scene in Ghana please feel free to check it out!

Ghana’s art scene is taking shape

Ghana is basking in its burgeoning contemporary art scene. Gallery 1957 is opening in the country’s capital Accra, marking independence day, by showcasing a history of Ghanaian art and the work of current contemporary artists. The Ghanaian art scene has been struggling for decades, requiring funding, but those within the industry, including Creative Director of Gallery 1957, Nana Oforiatta-Ayim, are passionate about providing Ghanaian artists, like Serge Attukwei Clottey, an environment where they can produce and showcase their creations, while earning a living from their art.

Image: Serge Attukwei Clottey courtesy of Gallery 1957

Creatives in the diaspora are also drawing on their heritage for inspiration. Ghanaian-American animator Abdul Ndadi created a cartoon, who’s main character, a young African girl called Orisha takes on adventures.

“As an artist I felt a responsibility, even in a small way, to have an image of a beautiful African girl our youth could identify with, doing cool things. The main reason my main character is female is because not only do black women deal with the problem of racism, they also have the added burden of sexism as well.” @abdulndadi​

Orisha’s Journey - created by Abdul Ndadi.

Continue reading on Wordpress.

STORYBOARDS

A few storyboards for the 5th scene (River of Dreams) of my thesis film Orisha's Journey...

Hey everybody! The Cannes Film Festival (Festival de Cannes) put up the participants for this years Short Film Corner... Again, I am truly honored to play a small part in such a great festival!! Thank you for your time and thanks to ALL my family and friends for their love and support! There’s a link below or you can just type Orisha’s Journey Cannes Film Festival and it should pop up! 

http://sub.festival-cannes.fr/SfcCatalogue/MovieDetail/f0aca806-0423-4bb5-a99b-4383851a7d6a

A few Wizard of Oz character designs I did for my 3rd year animation class at SVA*... Start of a comic I'll be working on called Spirits of Oz (working title) based on African folklore take on the classic tale by Lyman Frank Baum.

*This prompt by my animation instructor Mario Menjiver was the genisis of my thesis film Orisha's Journey  

Here's a pan shot from my film Orisha's Journey...

1) Initial drawing I made for the volcano pan

2) Is the painting I did in photoshop with textural and fog layers 

3) Is the near final look with effects lighting