MBABANE – A strategic cross-border partnership has been formalised between Mozambican animation house FX Animation and Eswatini’s Purple Butterfly Nest, led by Mfanelo Masuku.
The collaboration, which focuses on animation production and creative exchange, has entered its first operational phase with a recruitment drive for local vocal talent.
The FX Animation production is currently seeking four emaSwati voice-over artists to perform the English dubbing for an upcoming animated feature film trailer.
FX Animation is seeking versatile performers capable of bringing complex emotions to life including joy, sadness, confusion and excitement.
The specific roles include two adults, one male and female between the ages 30 to 40, and two children, one boy and one girl between the ages of 10 and 13.
The artists apply for the position by recording audios demonstrating their vocal range and emotions. The deadline for the application is on February 13.
The recommendation to utilise emaSwati talent originated from the Mozambican studio. Following the success of Purple Butterfly Nest in Eswatini, FX Animation identified Eswatini-based artists as the preferred candidates to meet the vocal requirements of the English Language version of the film.
In an interview, Masuku clarified that the four emaSwati will not travel to Mozambique but will record their voice-overs at Purple Butterfly Nest. “The artists will be paid by FX Animation through me,” he said.
Masuku further explained how the collaboration came about, stating that they met with FX Animation in Uganda where an animation workshop was held.
“FX Animation is the first animation studio in Mozambique, established in 2004 just like us here in Eswatini, Purple Butterfly Nest is the first local animation studio, so we thought that how about we collaborate to make meaningful cultural exchange,” he said.
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Mfanelo Masuku, the Director of Purple Butterfly Nest studio. (Courtesy pic)