TLDR: The Naija Artificial Intelligence Film Festival (NAIFF), set to debut on September 13, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, has received over 490 film submissions from across Africa and beyond. Founded by Obinna Okerekeocha, the festival aims to revolutionize African storytelling by leveraging AI to overcome traditional filmmaking barriers and foster a new era of cinematic innovation.
The inaugural Naija Artificial Intelligence Film Festival (NAIFF) is poised to make a significant impact on the African cinematic landscape, having garnered an impressive 490 submissions for its debut on September 13, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. The festival, championed by founder Obinna Okerekeocha, seeks to establish a platform akin to global events like the Cannes Film Festival, specifically tailored to empower AI filmmakers across Africa and drive a new wave of cinematic innovation.
Okerekeocha’s vision for NAIFF stems from the recognition that generative AI tools offer a transformative solution to the high costs and logistical challenges that have historically constrained African filmmakers. He began experimenting with tools like RunwayML and Midjourney in 2022, realizing that AI could serve as a ‘new canvas’ for creative work. Reflecting on this realization, Okerekeocha stated, “AI is going to kick everyone’s ass,” and “AI is really going to be the next big thing.” He also emphasized, “A lot is happening, and as creators we should find a way to immerse ourselves with what is happening.”
In 2023, Africa’s film and audiovisual industries contributed $5 billion and employed 5 million people, with significant potential for growth. However, the sector has been hampered by infrastructure deficits, a shortage of skilled professionals, and limited financing. NAIFF aims to directly address these bottlenecks by promoting AI as a tool to cut costs and democratize filmmaking. A 2024 survey by DLA Piper Africa indicated that 35% of Nigerian film and television professionals already utilize generative AI, with another 35% considering its adoption, highlighting a growing interest in this technology within the industry.
The festival’s theme, ‘AI_FRICA,’ is a call to action, inviting a reimagining of African storytelling through the lens of artificial intelligence, innovation, and indigenous creativity. Submissions for the festival have poured in from various African nations, including Nigeria, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, and South Africa, as well as from the diaspora, showcasing a continent-wide embrace of AI in film. Films are judged on originality, creative use of AI, storytelling strength, and technical execution, with a maximum runtime of 15 minutes for mini-features and 5 minutes for micro-shorts.
NAIFF’s program is designed to be comprehensive, featuring film screenings, panel discussions on the ethical use of AI in film, and hands-on workshops. Key discussions will cover topics such as attribution, fair compensation, and the dangers of deepfakes, while also promoting ‘AI for good’ through inclusivity in creative work. The festival also plans to address concerns about Western-biased AI datasets by encouraging the development of narratives that authentically represent African experiences. Okerekeocha’s long-term goals include training thousands of African AI filmmakers, fostering platforms for startups developing technical tools for the creative industry, and seeing AI-generated films transition into traditional cinemas. He hopes to leave attendees “inspired, informed, and equipped to experiment.”
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Beyond its debut in Lagos, NAIFF intends to rotate across different African cities, fostering a more connected and collaborative AI filmmaking community across the continent.
