The Cameroon African Animation Film Festival (CANIMAF) is delighted to announce the selection of Mengnjo Mark Kernyuy, a talented young creator, illustrator, and 2D animator, for the CANIMAF 2025 Creative Residency, which will take place at Zebra Comics Studios in Douala.
His project, titled Fonyuy Darius, tells the story of a young man torn between his Christian faith and the ancestral spiritual heritage of his people. Raised in a strict religion that rejects all other beliefs, Darius’s life takes an unexpected turn when the kingdom’s oracle chooses him as the spiritual successor of the Nga’a Shiv, a mystical society. Struggling between fear, rejection, and a quest for truth, he discovers powers within himself that force him to confront the religious and cultural dogmas that shaped him.
Inspired by the narrative and visual worlds of Japanese anime — such as Jujutsu Kaisen, Avatar: The Last Airbender, and Kirikou — the creator aims to blend African mysticism with a reflection on cultural identity and self-discovery.
During the residency, the project will be further developed to enhance its visual richness and strengthen the script. Mengnjo Mark Kernyuy will be mentored by two leading figures of Cameroon’s animation industry:
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Claye Edou, producer and studio director, a driving force behind the professionalization of the local animation sector;
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Antoine Onomo, director and animator known for his creativity and dynamic contribution to the industry.
Their joint mentorship will help the artist refine his narrative structure, optimize his 2D production pipeline, and reinforce the visual and thematic consistency of the project.
The CANIMAF Creative Residency is an initiative launched by the festival to support the emergence of new local talents in the field of animation. Supported by the Institut Français de Paris and Zebra Comics, it provides the selected creator with a professional workspace and comprehensive artistic and technical guidance.
