Filmmaking has always been expensive—actors, sets, and production crews often push costs out of reach for many African creators.
But with generative AI tools, filmmakers like Obinna Okerekeocha, founder of the Naija Artificial Intelligence Film Festival (NAIFF), are discovering new ways to cut costs and reimagine what’s possible.
A 2024 survey of Nigerian film professionals found that 35% already use AI tools in their work, with another 35% considering adoption.
Okerekeocha first experimented with AI platforms like RunwayML and Midjourney in 2022 and quickly saw their potential to transform storytelling. That insight led to NAIFF, a festival designed to give AI-powered filmmaking in Africa a global stage.
Scheduled for September 13, 2025, in Lagos, the event has already drawn more than 490 submissions from across Africa and beyond, with films arriving from Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Cameroon, as well as the U.S. and Europe.
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Still, the rise of AI in filmmaking hasn’t come without skepticism. Critics worry about job losses, plagiarism, and ethical concerns around datasets.
Naija Artificial Intelligence Film Festival (NAIFF) addresses these issues head-on with panels focused on attribution, fair compensation, and responsible use.
Okerekeocha also emphasizes the need for African-built AI tools trained on local languages and cultures to avoid Western bias in storytelling.
For him, the promise of AI goes beyond efficiency—it’s about imagination. He believes generative AI can help Africans “dream the future we want to see,” crafting narratives that project new possibilities for the continent. For Okerekeocha, this festival is just the beginning of a lifelong mission.
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