Smids Animation Studios

Smids Animation Studios is a Nigerian animation production company founded in 2010 by Damilola Solesi, its Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director. The studio creates 2D digital animation, 3D CGI, motion graphics and visual effects, with a focus on African narratives for children, families and international audiences.

Its work spans original intellectual property, episodic television, short films, commercial animation and branded content. The studio offers an end-to-end production pipeline, from scriptwriting, concept development, visual development and storyboarding through modelling, rigging, layout, animation, compositing, visual effects and sound integration.

Original work and production

Smids develops family-oriented original properties including Keko Africa, an animated cultural adventure and edutainment series, and Uyi, a 2D episodic folktale comedy in development. Its credits also include the animated short Hadu, Boxed, Iranse, The Sim Sim Series, Captain Excellence, Abi's Mission, Wura and Onya.

The studio also produces animated advertising and commissioned work for organisations in financial services, public advocacy, education and corporate communications. Its client commissions include work for the African Development Foundation, ARM Pensions, Leadway Assurance, the Nigerian Army and The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Training and industry presence

Alongside production, Smids operates Smids Academy, providing youth summer camps, an apprenticeship programme and professional animation workshops intended to help develop emerging African animation talent. The company remains active in production and recruitment, and presents its project slate at international content markets.

Smids has received recognition within the Nigerian and international animation sectors. An Ernst & Young industry report ranked the studio among Nigeria's top two animation studios, while The Makerbolts was selected as a finalist in Annecy's Animation du monde category. Hadu has earned eight Best Animation awards globally, including recognition at AFRIFF, Fak'ugesi and FESPACO.