About Us

History

Before JANN became an association, it started as a Facebook group on April 11, 2009, for local artists, animators and anyone interested in animation to produce and share their work and knowledge towards developing an active animation community. Today, the community is very active with over 1,500 members on our Facebook Group and 300 people on our mailing list to date.

The members consist of artists, modellers, animators, writers, actors and filmmakers who participate in challenges, discussions, knowledge exchange, workshops, and friendly collaborations. If you are interested in animation on any level, feel free to join and be a part of a continuously growing community that will shape the future of the industry in Jamaica.

JANN was founded by Corretta Singer, Tanya G. Davies, Kevin Jackson, Roger Davis and D’Oyen Williams in December 2012 and became incorporated in July 2013.

The association is a response to the need to ensure that Jamaica’s new animation industry develops in a manner that serves the best interests of not only the animation studios but the driving force of the industry, the animators. Jamaica has a thriving creative culture with excellent artists and animators eager to work in outsourcing and develop local IP.

Who We Are

The Jamaica Animation Nation Network (JANN) is a membership-based organisation run by volunteer members. We are the national industry association dedicated to the development, representation, and protection of Jamaica’s animation sector. As the leading voice for animation in Jamaica, JANN works to strengthen the ecosystem by advocating for the interests of animators, studios, educators, and other creative professionals who contribute to the industry.

JANN serves as a central hub for the Jamaican animation community, bringing together key stakeholders including animation studios, independent creators, educational institutions, creative organisations, government agencies, and industry partners. Through this network, the organisation facilitates collaboration, dialogue, and strategic initiatives to build a sustainable, globally competitive animation industry in Jamaica.

A core responsibility of JANN is to protect and support the creatives who power the industry. The organisation promotes fair treatment, ethical standards, and professional best practices for all participants in the animation value chain. By advocating for policies and industry standards that respect creative labour, intellectual property, and professional development, JANN helps ensure that Jamaican animators can work and thrive in a safe and equitable environment.

JANN also serves as a bridge between industry and government, helping identify challenges, opportunities, and policy priorities that shape the sector's growth. Through research, industry consultations, and strategic partnerships, the organisation contributes to national conversations about the role of animation within Jamaica’s broader creative economy.

In addition, JANN promotes accountability within the sector by encouraging responsible engagement with Jamaican talent and by supporting frameworks that uphold professional standards among organisations seeking to work with the local animation community.

Ultimately, JANN's mission is to cultivate a vibrant, ethical, and internationally respected Jamaican animation industry, enabling creators, studios, and institutions to collaborate effectively and create opportunities for the next generation of animators.

Vision Statement

The Jamaica Animation Nation Network (JANN) envisions a thriving creative sector by enabling, empowering, and exercising M.O.T.I.O.N. in Jamaican lives.

MOTIVATION: We motivate creators to pursue upward mobility and broaden their exposure to opportunities within the global animation and digital media industries.
OVATION: We give ovation by recognising, encouraging, and rewarding excellence across the Jamaican animation community.
TECHNIQUE: We strengthen technique through standards-based training, strong pedagogy, and the development of verified professional skills.
INGENUITY: We cultivate ingenuity by encouraging new perspectives and harnessing creative thinking to solve problems and generate innovation.
ORIGINALITY: We champion originality by promoting Jamaican stories and supporting the use, respect, and protection of intellectual property.
NETWORKING: We build networks that connect communities, strengthen value chains, and encourage collaboration among creators, institutions, studios, and partners.

Through this vision, JANN works to foster a dynamic and globally respected Jamaican animation industry.

Mission Statement

The Jamaica Animation Nation Network (JANN) develops and represents Jamaica’s animation industry. We cultivate professional talent and support the creation of original intellectual property. We advocate for policies, partnerships, and opportunities that strengthen a sustainable and globally competitive creative sector.

Slogan

From ideation to creation.

Our Definitions

Jamaican

At JANN, we define Jamaican as anyone born in Jamaica or a naturalised citizen.

Jamaican Animation Industry

We define the Jamaican animation industry as the set of Jamaicans who practice any aspect of the character animation production pipeline in Jamaica or abroad. That is:

You were born in Jamaica, and you practice animation in Jamaica;
You were born in Jamaica, and you practice animation outside of Jamaica;
You are a naturalised citizen of Jamaica, and you practice animation in Jamaica;
You are a naturalised citizen of Jamaica, and you practice animation outside of Jamaica; and
You are not Jamaican, but you practice animation in Jamaica.

Jamaican Animation

Jamaican Animation is any animated production that has any of the following:

Is created by a Jamaican;
Uses authentic patois (Jamaican dialect spoken by a Jamaican);
Uses authentic Jamaican landmarks with permission; and/or
Has a Jamaican on the management team making production decisions.

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