Meet the Parents

Well it’s been a few weeks since we launched Bino and Fino. It has been very hectic. The best thing so far is having the opportunity to meet parents and kids in person. I am currently in London and we have had several screenings of the Bino and fino cartoon. One was a cinema screening of Bino and Fino as part of the Images of Black Women Film Festival which was a great event. It was arranged by Tony Warner of Black History Walks with the founder of the festival Sylviane Rano as part of an African animation Forum. They also showed the wonderful Cuban inspired animation Chico and Rita. I was able to meet parents and children. They received the episode of Bino and Fino they saw very well. They even gave it a little round of applause! J I’ve always known that there’s a market for well made African cartoons for kids. Why wouldn’t there be? But it’s always nice to see it confirmed face to face by kids and parents.

After that we had a chance to go for a coffee and to discuss our thoughts on black and African representation in Global media. We didn’t always agree but everyone there was passionate about making the situation better. I loved the energy and the little brain storming session we had. I came from the angle that I don’t see why we have to wait for someone like Disney to a cartoon for kids featuring positive black and/or African cartoon characters. I don’t even expect or want them to. If you want your own story told, do it yourself and those want to learn and be part of it will come. After all Disney did just that! I know that’s a bit of an extreme position in one sense. Anyway I’m digressing a bit.

There was another screening last week Sunday where I actually made my first DVD sale in person! That was cool. It was to mother who had a six year old boy. She also asked if we had books featuring Bino and Fino or if we knew of any authors of children’s books that portrayed positive elements of African culture. So as far as I’m concerned parents are crying out for this type of content. The problem they either don’t know it exists or know where to find it.

Another interesting thing I’ve found is that so many black and African parents and kids are so used to the Disney/Pixar etc output that they almost don’t know what to believe when the see an African cartoon. It’s bad enough with an African American cartoon not to talk of an African cartoon. It goes against EVERYTHING they’ve seen so far when it comes to cartoons! I can understand this. That’s a huge hang up we have to get over as quickly as possible.