From her extensive experience founding and leading Anamazing Workshop (2000–2010)—the
first animation studio of its kind—she pioneered an internship scaling strategy supported by top
professional animators. The company’s entire innovative approach to animation earned
recognition as Most Innovative Company in Africa at the Africa Growth Institute Awards, Best
Animation at the SAFTAs for its internship-driven anthology of short African films, the Gauteng
Economic Developments, ‘Women in Film Award’, the DTI’s Women in Technology Award and
finalist status in the Pan African Pioneer of Prosperity Awards, where her company was one of
only two representing South Africa in Rwanda. Her collaboration with Morula Pictures kicked off her animation TV series career and cemented her trailblazing role in the industry. As associate-producer of the first 3D animation of African folk tales and spearheading groundbreaking international co-productions, including the South Africa–Canada partnership and the tri-production with India for Magic Cellar, she ensured young black and female animators would benefit from this experience by raising funding for them to gain training and work experience on the production in India. The production of the Magic Cellar went on to win 29 global awards. Beyond producing, her expertise extends into value chain analysis and process innovation. She has lectured on the subject at Wits University and presented her expanded framework for value chain innovation at the SACO Conference. Her leadership within AnimationSA, where she served as Deputy Chair and Head of Social Impact & Human Capital Innovation, demonstrated the practical impact of her strategies. She designed and implemented the Broadcast Readiness Incubator, applying her value chain innovation models and internship scaling strategies to support emerging SME’s. These initiatives directly contributed to the creation of 150 jobs and freelance opportunities for the animation industry during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. Isabelle is currently sole owner and Executive producer of Dreamforge Creative
