Kenyan Animation Nominated For American Award

Kenyan animation, Super Sema, has been nominated for the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP).

Super Sema was fronted under the Outstanding Animated Series category for the 2022 NAACP awards slated for February 26.

The animation airs on YouTube and features award-winning actress, Lupita Nyong'o, who also doubles as the show's Executive Producer.

A Super Sema professional poster featuring Lupita Nyong'o (with arms raised) and the other cast.

Citizen Digital

The Kenyan-born Academy winner took to social media to celebrate the nomination.

"It’s been an honour to bring Sema to life in partnership with Kukua and this recognition is very special. Super Sema reigns supreme!" The actress wrote.

Lupita voices the character, 'Mama Dunia', in the series that presents an Afro-futuristic society known as dunia. Apart from fighting stereotypes on coloured people, the show encourages children, and particularly girls to be innovative.

"Our programming will empower children to take what they’ve learned from the series into the real world to make, invent and play with intention," stated Vanessa Ford, Kukua Operations Chief.

The show is produced by Kukua, a start-up media and technology company, where Lupita is a shareholder.  

Established in August 1967, the NAACP awards are celebrated every year to honour outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music and literature.

Super Sema will compete against Big Mouth, We the People and Yasuke which feature on Netflix. Also nominated is Peanut Headz: Black History Toonz.

Winners of the awards are determined by voting. Kenyans who wish to vote for the animation can do so on the NAACP official website.

Lupita Nyong'o is all smiles on her birthday, March 1, 2020.

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