Sunrise Productions is a

computer animation Computer animation is the process used for digitally generating animations. The more general term computer-generated imagery (CGI) encompasses both static scenes (still images) and dynamic images (moving images), while computer animation refe ...

studio based in

Cape Town Cape Town ( af, Kaapstad; , xh, iKapa) is one of South Africa's three capital cities, serving as the seat of the Parliament of South Africa. It is the legislative capital of the country, the oldest city in the country, and the second largest ...

, South Africa. Notable productions include Jungle Beat, a computer-animated series and its spin-off shows Munki and Trunk and The Explorers. Sunrise is known for producing Africa's first animated feature film,

The Legend of the Sky Kingdom ''The Legend of the Sky Kingdom'' is a 2003 animated feature film directed by Roger Hawkins. Produced in Harare, Zimbabwe, the film was the first full-length animated feature film to come out of Africa. It was based on a children's book of the ...

. While this debut feature was created using stop-motion, the studio has now moved exclusively into 3D CG and live action production. Sunrise's commercial division combines

live action Live action (or live-action) is a form of cinematography or videography that uses photography instead of animation. Some works combine live-action with animation to create a live-action animated film. Live-action is used to define film, video ga ...

animation Animation is a method by which image, still figures are manipulated to appear as Motion picture, moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent cel, celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited ...

and

VFX Visual effects (sometimes abbreviated VFX) is the process by which imagery is created or manipulated outside the context of a live-action shot in filmmaking and video production. The integration of live-action footage and other live-action foota ...

History

Sunrise Productions was founded in 1998 in Zimbabwe by Phil Cunningham and Roger Hawkins. In 2003, the company released the stop motion feature, Legend of the Sky Kingdom. It was Africa's first animated full-length feature. Produced during a period of political unrest and extreme shortages,

was produced in a style that the film-makers dubbed "junkmation”, using puppets built from recycled materials and filmed on a motion camera rig improvised out of bicycle parts. In 2003, Sunrise stepped into the 3D CG space with their flagship series, Jungle Beat, which has run for 3 seasons and given rise to spin-off shows The Explorers and Munki and Trunk. In 2004, the studio consolidated their reputation for upbeat CG content with Once Upon a Stable, an animated television special. Sunrise's live-action division was launched in 2009, with the production of The Lazarus Effect for Bono's (RED) campaign. The HBO documentary, executive produced by

Spike Jonze Adam H. Spiegel (born October 22, 1969), known professionally as Spike Jonze, is an American filmmaker, actor, musician, and photographer. His work includes commercials, film, music videos, skateboard videos and television. Jonze began his ca ...

, follows the story of HIV positive people in Africa who undergo a remarkable transformation thanks to antiretroviral treatment. Sunrise has also pioneered a 3D animated character branding and marketing model for high-profile sports brands such as the

Welsh Rugby Union The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU; cy, Undeb Rygbi Cymru) is the Sports governing body, governing body of rugby union in the country of Wales, recognised by the sport's international governing body, World Rugby. The WRU is responsible for the running ...

and

Juventus Football Club )''I Bianconeri'' (The White and Blacks)''Le Zebre'' (The Zebras)''La Signora Omicidi'' (The Killer Lady)''La Gheuba'' (: The Hunchback) , founded = as Sport-Club Juventus , ground = Juventus Stadium , capacity = 41,507 , owner = Agnelli ...

. In 2016, Sunrise produced a holiday-themed animated short featuring 'Jay', the Juventus club mascot, and an imaginative young boy.

Television

Sunrise's flagship series, Jungle Beat (2003-) is a CG-animated, non-dialogue, slapstick comedy series focusing on different animals and the bizarre situations in which they find themselves. The series is sold by Monster Entertainment, and has been broadcast in more than 180 countries on channels including

Cartoon Network Cartoon Network (often abbreviated as CN) is an American cable television channel owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It is a part of The Cartoon Network, Inc., a division that also has the broadcasting and production activities of Boomerang, Car ...

, Boomerang, and

Nickelodeon Nickelodeon (often shortened to Nick) is an American pay television television channel, channel which launched on April 1, 1979, as the first cable channel for children. It is run by Paramount Global through its List of assets owned by Param ...

. In 2016, Sunrise expanded the Jungle Beat universe to include The Jungle Beat Explorers, which follows four clumsy, curious safari adventurers as they document the wild animals of the world. The 3D 13-episode series is broadcast exclusively on the Jungle Beat YouTube channel. The Jungle Beat franchise was further expanded with the development of Munki and Trunk, a 52 x 7 minute series aimed at kids aged 4–7. The “tree-crashing, rock smashing, water-splashing, fruit-mashing, knock-about comedy adventure” centres on two unlikely best friends: crafty Munki and caring Trunk. In 2017, Aardman’s Rights and Brand Development division partnered with Sunrise to represent global television distribution rights for the animated series. In 2013, Sunrise Productions’ live action department partnered with Okuhle Media to co-produce the 13-part cooking/lifestyle series Bitten Sarah Graham Cooks Cape Town

Commercials

Sunrise Productions has produced commercials combining live action, animation and VFX elements for a number of clients. * The Springboks – South Africa's National Rugby Team *

Samsung The Samsung Group (or simply Samsung) ( ko, 삼성 ) is a South Korean multinational manufacturing conglomerate headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea. It comprises numerous affiliated businesses, most of them united under the ...

Awards

Sunrise Productions has won the following awards: * Best Animation at the African Eye Animation Festival (2003) * Marble Z award for Best Film from the Children's Jury at the Zagreb Animation Festival (2003) * Audience Award in São Paulo and 2nd place in Rio de Janeiro's Anima Mundi International Animation Festival (2003) * Main prize a
Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children
(2006) * Camerio Audience Award at Carrousel International du Film de Rimouski in Canada (2006) * Award for Best Series for children at the South African Film and Television Awards (2007) *

National Film Board Of Canada The National Film Board of Canada (NFB; french: Office national du film du Canada (ONF)) is Canada's public film and digital media producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary f ...

Award for Best Animated Short a
Freeze Frame Festival
2007 * Jica Enfants Award at the

Annecy International Animated Film Festival The Annecy International Animation Film Festival (french: Festival international du film d'animation d'Annecy, officially abbreviated in English as the Annecy Festival, or simply Annecy) was created in 1960 and takes place at the beginning of J ...

(2008) * Best Animation at the LG “Life’s Good” Film Festival in Toronto (2008) * Two Platinum awards from th
American Pixel Academy
(2011)

Participation in Academy Award qualifying festivals

* Official selection at the Chicago International Children's Film Festival (CICFF) 2004 and 2013 * St Louis International Film Festival (2014).

References

External links

* {{official website, http://www.sunriseproductions.tv/ Television production companies of South Africa South African animation studios Mass media in Cape Town Companies based in Cape Town