Mkali's Mission
An Autodesk Production

Release date
Unreleased
Imaginary Globe’s Contribution to Autodesk: Mkali’s Mission
Bringing the Hero’s Journey to Life Through Character Animation
Autodesk: Mkali’s Mission is an inspiring animated short film that showcases the power of perseverance and courage. The film follows Mkali, a determined young protagonist, as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. The story highlights themes of resilience, leadership, and personal growth, brought to life through vibrant animation and rich storytelling.
Imaginary Globe had the privilege of contributing to this meaningful project by working on the animation of the main character, Mkali. Our goal was to ensure that her journey was not only visually stunning but also emotionally impactful, capturing every nuance of her determination and bravery through detailed character animation.
Animating Mkali
Capturing Emotion and Movement
Our animation work focused on bringing Mkali’s character to life in a way that felt genuine and relatable. Every movement needed to reflect her emotional journey—whether she was confronting obstacles, showing vulnerability, or displaying moments of triumph.
Key Contributions to Character Animation
⦾ Expressive facial animation – We developed detailed facial animations to convey a range of emotions, from joy and curiosity to fear and determination.
⦾ Natural body mechanics – Each motion was carefully crafted to reflect Mkali’s physical presence and personality, whether she was running, climbing, or standing still in moments of reflection.
⦾ Emotional storytelling through movement – Her movements were designed to evolve with her emotional state, helping to deepen the audience's connection to her journey.
Our goal was to ensure that Mkali’s physical movements felt authentic and aligned with her personal growth throughout the story.
Imaginary Globe credits
In Service Of Autodesk
"Working with Autodesk has been a dream come true."
Collaborating with Autodesk: A Creative Partnership
Working on Mkali’s Mission was a collaborative effort that involved close communication with Autodesk’s creative team. Our role was to ensure that the animation style matched the overall artistic vision of the project while enhancing the story’s emotional depth.
How We Worked with the Creative Team
⦾ Aligning animation with the storyboard – We followed detailed storyboards to ensure consistency with the narrative’s pacing and emotional beats.
⦾ Incorporating feedback – Regular reviews allowed us to refine animations based on creative feedback, ensuring the final product reflected the intended emotional resonance.
⦾ Maintaining visual coherence – We ensured that the animation was in harmony with the visual aesthetic of the short film, enhancing the overall cinematic experience.
This close collaboration ensured that every detail of Mkali’s animation served the broader story, supporting the film’s inspiring message.
Bringing Mkali’s Journey to Life
Our contribution to Autodesk: Mkali’s Mission reflects Imaginary Globe’s dedication to crafting meaningful, character-driven animation. By focusing on authentic movement and emotional storytelling, we helped bring Mkali’s journey to life in a way that resonated with audiences on a deep, personal level.
This project stands as a testament to our commitment to excellence in animation and collaboration. We are proud to have worked alongside Autodesk on this inspiring short film and look forward to new opportunities where we can continue to bring characters and stories to life with passion and creativity.