Climate Voices: 2D Animation Training Course Launch

A significant outcome for successful graduates is the direct pathway to professional opportunities. Milton Edison Branford, Managing Director of Malfinis Film & Animation Studios, highlighted the career-building aspect of the initiative. “We are not just training students; we are building the future of the Caribbean’s creative industry,” stated Mr. Branford. “Every graduate who demonstrates proficiency will be included in a talent database linked to the Caribbean Film and Animation Cluster Initiative (CAFCI). This connects them directly with our studio partners in Nigeria, South Africa, and Jamaica for consideration in paid roles on current and future productions, including the planned animated series of our ‘Climate Tipping Point’ graphic novels.”

The enthusiastic cohort of students from multiple Caribbean nations is being trained on industry-standard Toon Boom Harmony software. They will learn from a team of mentors including in-house writer Dawn French, 2D/3D instructor Akelli Bennett, post-production specialist Ross Daniel, and senior Malfinis animator Shem Emmanuel. The programme is managed by Milton Branford Managing director for Malfinis Film and Animation Studio and Genesis Alfred, Programme Manager for the Caribbean Climate Justice Project-Youth IRIE, with student experience managed by Brandon Scott and technical support led by Shervon Stanislaus.

This initiative represents a strategic fusion of climate advocacy and creative industry development, creating tangible skills and career pipelines for Caribbean youth while championing a critical cause for the region’s survival and prosperity.

Interested members of the public are encouraged to follow the progress of the course and learn about future training initiatives by subscribing to our social media pages (Instagram/Facebook: @malfinisstudios).

For more information on the vital work being done by Dr. James Fletcher and his team, please visit caribbeanclimatejustice.org and youthirie.org.

Saint Lucia-based non-profit The Caribbean Climate Justice Project, in collaboration with Malfinis Film & Animation Studios Inc., has officially launched the ‘Climate Voices: 2D Animation Training Course’. This innovative, fully virtual programme brings together a cohort of aspiring animators from across the CARICOM region, equipping them with professional-grade skills to tell compelling stories about climate change.

The Caribbean Climate Justice Project was founded by Dr. James Fletcher, a distinguished Caribbean leader and climate champion. The project aims to amplify the voices of Caribbean civil society, particularly the region’s youth, on issues related to the climate crisis and the urgent need for a transition to renewable sources of energy. “We believe that one of the most powerful tools we have is the ability to tell our own stories,” said Dr. Fletcher during the virtual kick-off meeting. “This training is about more than just software; it’s about empowering a new generation of creative climate warriors. We are giving them the skills to articulate the urgency of climate justice and the transition to renewable energy in a way that is accessible, engaging, and uniquely Caribbean.”

Unlike most typical workshops, the ‘Climate Voices’ course is a rigorous, structured programme where participants are graded on attendance, practical application, and assessments, culminating in an official Certificate of Achievement. The training is designed and delivered by a team of seasoned industry professionals from Malfinis Film and Studios Inc, including writers, disaster management specialists, and expert animators who have worked on international projects.

Some of the participants at the virtual Orientation Session