Cape Town-based Triggerfish Animation Studios has announced a new funding partnership which sees South African production and finance firm Spier Films investing in feature film Khumba.

Revealing the new partnership today, Triggerfish confirmed that the animation film – which is set for release later this year -, is now a fully South African funded film, with other investors including the Industrial Development Corporation, the South African government’s Department of Trade and Industry, and the National Film and Video Foundation.

The value of the funding has not been disclosed.

“Having a financial partner like Spier, along with our other South African investors the IDC, DTI and the NFVF, is such a great affirmation that we are producing a world-class product that does our country proud,” said Stuart Forrest, Chief Executive Officer of Triggerfish.

Khumba follows in the path of Triggerfish’ first widely released animation film – Adventures in Zambezia – which won global acclaim; attracting investors – such as Spier – to forthcoming Triggerfish projects.  Spier’s investment in Khumba marks the first time to date that the company has invested in an animation film.

“We are very proud to be involved with Khumba because of the amazing achievement that was Zambezia which is still entertaining audiences globally. We believe that animation is an area where South Africa can compete in the international market and we want to do everything to support these kinds of projects. There is a great creative team behind Triggerfish and we trust them to produce something even better with this film,” commented Michael Auret, Managing Director of Spier Films.