Bristol’s first Black-owned animation studio on diversifying the industry

Husband and wife, Kolawole and Regina Olarewaju, are the people behind Bristol’s first black-owned animation studio, Komotion Studios.

The pair moved to Bristol from Nigeria in early 2022 as they were drawn to its exciting animation scene.

Since launching their business in September 2022, they have produced animations for big brands like Minecraft, Crocs and McCain Foods.

Kolawole spoke to Bristol24/7 about the importance of diversifying the industry, how they are finding running a business from Bristol and how they are working to inspire more Black people to get involved in animation.

Komotion Studio is the first black-owned animation studio in Bristol – photo: Komotion Studios

Since launching your business in September 2022, how have you grown your business and landed opportunities with the likes of McCain Foods? 

“The animation industry in Bristol has been welcoming, affording us the opportunity to personally meet with several managing directors of top animation studios in the area.

“Since our launch we have leveraged networking as a key driver of growth for our business. Attending industry events and utilising social media platforms like LinkedIn, we’ve connected with other businesses in the animation and VFX industries and built relationships with professionals in the field.

“Regina’s MA in Screen Business at the UWE Bristol has provided us with an additional platform to engage with industry professionals.

“Through networking, we connected with a producer who was impressed by our portfolio and unique pipeline, which incorporates motion capture (MOCAP), traditional animation, and real-time rendering.

“This connection led to an invitation to pitch for the McCain Farms of the Future animated TV advert, which we delivered in the space of four weeks.

“We’ve found the animation industry very receptive to new talent and businesses. We remain committed to expanding our network, developing our portfolio and delivering high-quality results, positioning us as a valued partner in the field.”

Something special has arrived in Minecraft! Show off your style in-game with the new Minecraft x @Crocs.https://t.co/wBdr1IN8t3#MinecraftxCrocs pic.twitter.com/X3YogiMUDa

— Minecraft (@Minecraft) February 16, 2023

Why is it important for more Black people to be represented and involved in the animation industry?

“We believe that diverse perspectives must be represented and experienced through content creation, and animation is a powerful medium for this purpose.

“As Black people, we understand the importance of having our perspectives and experiences reflected in the stories and characters we see on screen.

“Black people need to be involved in the animation industry to ensure that our voices are heard and that we can contribute to creating a more inclusive and representative media landscape.

“Fortunately, the industry is beginning to recognise the need for greater diversity, and we’re hopeful that this will lead to more opportunities for Black creatives and more authentic and nuanced portrayals of Black characters and stories in animation.”

A still taken from Komotion Studios’ 3D animated film, Dawn of Thunder – photo: Komotion Studios

How are you working to inspire more Black people to get involved in the industry?

“By attending industry events and realising that we were often the only Black people in attendance, we decided to take action.

“We visited St Paul’s Community Centre to discuss how we could inspire Black youth to enter the industry.

“We met with Black parents who had children interested in pursuing a career in animation but were unsure of the process. Sharing our experiences and showcasing our work sparked interest.

“We’re committed to educating young children about animation as a potential career path and we plan to carry out outreach programs to schools with a high population of Black children to discuss the possibilities of pursuing a career in animation.

“We believe that if we can succeed in inspiring more Black people to see animation as an attractive career path, it will benefit the industry.”

What is your reaction to statements by the maker of Wallace & Gromit in this recent article? Do you think there is still a future for the animation industry in the UK? 

“We share the same concerns expressed by the maker of Wallace & Gromit regarding the current state of the animation industry in the UK.

“While the UK has a rich history in animation, it’s clear that more needs to be done to develop the next generation of talent for film and television.

“As members of the industry, we believe that we can contribute to the investment in training and nurturing of young talent, particularly those from underrepresented communities.

“We must create more accessible pathways for people from diverse backgrounds to enter the industry and
receive the necessary training to become production-ready.

“We also agree that more consideration should be given to creating initiatives that will offer more attractive tax reliefs for animation businesses, which would make the UK a more attractive location for animation production.

“With these incentives, we would likely see more animators, writers, and other creatives choosing to work in the UK, leading to a greater demand for training and growth in the industry.

“We believe that there’s a need to address the lack of diversity within the animation industry. The industry has been historically homogenous, and we recognise that there’s a pressing need to create more opportunities for Black people and other marginalised groups to pursue careers in animation.

“We’re committed to working with industry partners and government bodies to develop initiatives that support diversity and inclusivity in the animation sector.”

All photos: Komotion Studios

Read next: 

• Maker of Wallace & Gromit explains why the industry is struggling 
• Bristol studio named as one of the best places to work in UK TV industry 
• Teenage business owner’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs 

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