Chief Executive Officer and Creative Director of SMIDS Animation Studios, Damilola Solesi, has been appointed as a juror for the International Emmy Awards for the third time, adding to her growing record of international recognition in the animation, television and creative industries.
Solesi announced the appointment while thanking the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for its continued confidence in her expertise and professional judgment.
“Grateful for the continued trust of the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the opportunity to celebrate exceptional storytelling from around the world,” Solesi said.
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The latest appointment builds on her previous service as an International Emmy Awards juror between 2020 and 2022. Her return to the jury further extends her engagement with the global television industry, where she joins other industry professionals in recognising outstanding productions and storytelling from around the world.
Solesi is an award-winning Animation Director, Producer and Writer, as well as the Founder and CEO of SMIDS Animation Studios, which she established in 2010. Over the past 15 years, she has built the studio around original African stories while championing authentic African storytelling and contributing to the growth of the continent’s animation industry.
Her acclaimed works include Hadu, Keko Africa and Boxed. Hadu has won eight Best Animation Awards across international film festivals, while her films have screened at major global festivals and platforms including the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), FESPACO, NollywoodWeek Paris, the New York International Children’s Film Festival, ANIMAGE Brazil and CINANIMA Portugal.
Solesi is also the creator of Keko Africa, an educational children’s platform and YouTube series that uses animation and storytelling to teach African history and culture in fun and engaging ways.
Beyond production, she has developed and led creative learning initiatives aimed at nurturing the next generation of talent. These include Toontopia, SMASH (SMIDS Animation Showcase) and the SMIDS Animation Summer Camp, which has empowered children to explore animation, storytelling and creativity for more than a decade.
Her influence extends beyond animation production. Recognised as a global voice in animation and the creative industries, Solesi has spoken at major international and industry platforms including the Sharjah Animation Conference in the United Arab Emirates, GITEX Global, Entertainment Week Africa, WIMBIZ and Africa Creative Market.
She was also named one of MIPTV’s “Producers to Watch” in both 2020 and 2022, further highlighting her growing profile within the international television and content industry.
A Computer Science graduate of Bowen University, Solesi has worked on 3D animation projects, combining technology, storytelling and creative production in her work. She is also a recipient of the Federal Government’s Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWIN) award.
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Through SMIDS Animation Studios and her wider industry engagements, Solesi is focused on developing globally relevant African stories, nurturing creative talent and expanding the reach of African animation.
Her work reflects a broader commitment to shaping the future of animation on the continent while creating platforms through which African stories, culture and creative talent can reach global audiences.
Her third International Emmy Awards juror appointment adds another milestone to a career spanning animation production, creative education, entrepreneurship and international industry engagement.
