About the project
Over the past decade, five southern African countries have decriminalised same-sex sexual behaviour: Mozambique (2015), Angola (2019), Botswana (2019), Mauritius (2023), and Namibia (2024). Together with South Africa, which has protected LGBTQI rights constitutionally since 1996, these six nations are home to some of the most remarkable — and most undertold — stories of queer resilience and legal change on the continent.
Documenting Decriminalisation is a research project led by Dr Debjyoti Ghosh, housed at GALA Queer Archives, Johannesburg. Phase 1 produced an archive of nearly 60 in-depth interviews with activists, lawyers, litigants and civil society leaders across all six countries.
Phase 2 brings those stories to life. We are commissioning a suite of short animations and comic/zine pieces — one per country — that centre real people, real places, and real lived experience. The outputs will live on a dedicated project website and be shared widely across the region and beyond.
“This is not a project about law. It is a project about people, what queer life looks like, what freedom feels like, and what it meant when the law finally stopped criminalising who you are.”
What we are commissioning
We are looking for up to five animators in total:
5 x animators: one per country (Angola, Botswana, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia).
Short animations, maximum 3 minutes. Honorarium: ZAR30,000 each.
Each creative will receive curated interview material, a short story outline from the lead researcher, and structured support throughout the production process. Format is open: 2D animation, motion graphics etc. We want your voice, your visual language, and your perspective.
Who should apply
- Queer-identified, based in or with strong ties to one of the six project countries
- Minimum 2–3 years of professional experience in animations
- Able to work independently with light guidance and structured check-ins over three months
- Comfortable engaging sensitively with real LGBTQI+ stories and interview subjects
- Available June – August 2026
- We especially encourage applications from creatives based in Angola, Mozambique and Mauritius. If you cannot find an animator from a specific country, Southern Africa based creatives from another country may apply for that story.
How to apply
Submit your expression of interest using the form below. You will need:
- A short introduction (max 300 words): who you are, where you are based, and why this project speaks to you
- Portfolio or links to 2–3 relevant past works
- Your preferred format (animations) and a brief note on your creative approach
- The country you would like to focus on
- Your availability between June and August 2026
All submissions are reviewed by the project team and GALA Queer Archive. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a brief conversation before a formal brief and contract are issued.
Submission form link: https://forms.gle/dDPpNdKPw35Q4CsM7
Questions: Contact Stef Fischer: stefelino@gmail.com
Project by GALA Queer Archives, funded by the Nebula Fund
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