About the Author

Kwame Nyong'o is a visual artist, animator, illustrator, filmmaker and musician. Born in Chicago to a Kenyan father and American mother, he was raised between the two countries, an experience that granted him a unique opportunity to appreciate and understand different peoples and cultures. This exposure, fused with his passion for science fiction and fantasy, have become the force behind his work. After attending the Academy of Art University in California, Kwame returned to Kenya where he has been involved in various animation training and production initiatives on the continent, such as UNESCO's 'Africa Animated!' project, and Tiger Aspect's 'Tinga Tinga Tales' children's TV series. His debut short film 'The Legend of Ngong Hills', marked Kwame's endeavor to showcase the possibilities and opportunities that lie in using animation to tell African folklore. This well regarded short won the Best Animation category at the 2011 Zanzibar International Film Festival (TZ), 2011 Kalasha Awards (KE) and the 2012 African Movie Academy Awards (NG). He is currently working on an animated TV series that was recently showcased at the 2013 Annecy Animation Festival (FR). His live-action film work includes set dressing on the feature film 'Nairobi Half Life' and co-directing/producing for Corder's 'Lovin' This Home' music video. Kwame's repertoire of illustration works include client work for advertising agencies and publishers, as well as his own self-published children's books: 'A Tasty Maandaz'i (2006), and it follow-up sequel 'I Love Ugali and Sukuma Wiki' (2013).