ARTiFACT Film Festival: Olawunmi Oyedeji’s Blueprint for a Borderless Creative Economy

Art and culture help people from different parts of the world stay connected and interact with one another. One such form is the film festival, an occasion for the exhibition and celebration of film contents and filmmakers.

From the global stage, which has Cannes, Venice, Berlinale, Toronto International Film Festival and Sundance, to Africa’s effervescent circuit, including the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), S16, Festival Panafricain du Cinéma et de la Télévision de Ouagadougou (FESPACO), among others, film festivals cater to the divergent yet unique tastes of world cinemas.

Olawunmi Oyedeji, a Nigerian-born Los Angeles-based filmmaker, media entrepreneur and founder of Rehoboth Media & Technologies LLC, however, adds an interesting dynamic with ARTiFACT, a robust and flexible film festival that is not necessarily defined by a fixed host location even as it bridges continents through creativity. Being a woman of African descent, she is redefining the narrative of African global influence in Hollywood and beyond, while marketing the continent’s cinema ecosystem to international heavyweights. ARTiFACT incorporates cross-cultural elements of art, fashion and technology, reviewing global cinema beyond monolithic lenses.

Last year, on November 21st and 22nd, 2025, the inaugural edition of ARTiFACT was held in Los Angeles, California, connecting filmmakers, creatives, fashion icons and other industry stakeholders and welcoming film entries from seventeen African and non-African countries around the world. Eighteen films were eventually shortlisted with winners including Book of Skin (United States of America) as Best Short Film, Aso Ebi Diaries (Nigeria) as Best Feature Film, 1776: Thierno Souleymane Baal et la révolution du Fouta (Norway) as Best Documentary, BOTTLENECK (Brazil, Portugal) as Best Experimental/New Media Film, and ker (Iran) as Best International Film.

The groundbreaking edition featured Mr. Ola Awakan, Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) who delivered a keynote address, highlighting the relevance of global cultural exchange and international engagement in the creative economy. Also in attendance were distinguished guests such as Mrs. Omotayo Omotosho (MFR), former Director General Nigerian Tourism Development Authority and Ms. Mira Victor, representing the Egyptian Consul. Panel sessions and workshops included key players in film, media and storytelling, such as Isaac Taylor, Natasha Ward, Casting Director & Producer;, Grant Housley, Director, Producer, Cinematographer; Tiffany Thomas, Award-Winning Disney Screenwriter; among many others.

In an interview with Oyedeji, she reflects on the festival debut and long-term vision of ARTiFACT, speaking boldly about its ambition to function as a mobile, globally resonant platform for creative exchange, cultural diplomacy, and economic collaboration across borders.

This interview has been edited for clarity.

Let’s start with the name ARTiFACT which is an attention-grabbing trademark. The “i” is in lowercase while the rest of the letters are in uppercase. What is the inspiration behind that?

When we were deciding on the name, we tested many others that did not resonate as much as ARTiFACT. Since it is a blend of technology, film, art, and fashion, we wanted something unique. The lowercase “i” serves as a unifier. It symbolizes what connects all forms of creativity together in one place.

ARTiFACT bridges film, art, fashion, and technology, which are four interconnected industries. What inspired you to create a multidisciplinary festival rather than a traditional film festival? 

ARTiFACT evolved from a project I wanted to do in Nigeria about seven or eight years ago called the ARM Festival, which stood for Arts, Runway, and Music. I tried to push it but got no sponsors, so I took a break. Earlier this year, a friend encouraged me to revamp it and do something in Los Angeles, reminding me that people invest in traction, not just ideas. What started as a small plan grew into a two day event. It was originally meant to be three days, showcasing films from all over the world. During brainstorming, I realized there was no festival in LA that combined film, art, fashion, tech, and business. Creatives needed a platform to showcase their work. While art exhibitions and fashion shows exist, there was no single event offering a complete experience. At ARTiFACT, you experience art, film, fashion, and business in one place, with vendors from different industries showcasing their products. We wanted a platform where everything came together and creatives could learn from, support, and complement each other. Art is broad, and instead of limiting it, we wanted people to see how many elements contribute to creativity.

You received submissions from about seventeen countries, which is impressive for a first edition. What does this global response tell you about the appetite for cross cultural creative exchange?

What this has done is confirm my belief that creatives need a platform that gives them global reach to showcase their art.

What is the scope of the festival? It does not seem like you are limiting it to African films alone since you even received films from Brazil, Iran, the United States, Norway, and others in this maiden edition.

We have films from at least 17 countries. The future of ARTiFACT involves partnering with other countries. Just like the World Cup rotates among nations, we would love ARTiFACT to be hosted in different countries.

Looking at your background as a creator, a media entrepreneur and filmmaker born in Nigeria and living in Los Angeles, the United States, how important is your personal journey in shaping this festival?

I usually tell people I am a serial entrepreneur, not just a media entrepreneur. We have an app called WeShare, a platform that connects artisans and donors. It launched in Nigeria but is built for a global audience. The festival reflects things I am passionate about: media, tech, filmmaking. These are things I enjoy and care deeply about, and they naturally became part of the festival.

How do you curate talent and speakers to keep the festival globally relevant and community centered?

Having been born in Nigeria, worked there, and attended film school both in Nigeria and in the US, I understand what creatives need. Filmmakers want to hear from people who are ahead of them, who have more experience. So we invited individuals who have worked with major networks like Disney, Paramount, BET, Apple, and others. For example, Arnold, a celebrity photographer, has worked with Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and more. These are people creatives want to hear from. They want to know how to build portfolios, earn more, and gain visibility. l simply bring people together who have done things others admire. That is how we build our guest list.

Storytelling today often centers oppressed and marginalized groups, including women, children, and other underrepresented communities. How does ARTiFACT support and promote these voices in the global creative ecosystem?

On diversity and inclusion, I try to ensure no one is left behind. We had a film that won an award, the story of a couple hiding in a mosque during unrest. They fought for their lives and their love. Stories like that show why storytelling is important. I advocate for positive media, content that educates, informs, and inspires, because I know the media is powerful enough to shape societies and minds. The vision of this festival is to address social justice issues through media. Try My Job aimed to address unemployment by having celebrities try blue-collar jobs for a day. These are the kinds of things I stand for. I want a better society where people feel comfortable in their own skin, regardless of ability, background, or culture.

How do creative festivals like ARTiFACT influence international relations and economic development?

The fastest and easiest way to change a society and shape culture is through media forms like music, movies, art, fashion. One purpose of ARTiFACT is to promote cross-cultural relations and diplomacy. We want people to relate with other cultures, even when they are unfamiliar. We must stop the danger of a single story, as Chimamanda Adichie said. Different cultures greet differently, behave differently, but it does not make them enemies. Festivals like this promote cross-cultural diplomacy, help people understand one another, encourage open-mindedness, and hopefully reduce unnecessary conflicts.

What is your five year vision for ARTiFACT? What do you hope to have achieved?

For the next five years, I see ARTiFACT experiencing major growth. I see it becoming bigger than Sundance. I see it being hosted in various countries and fostering strong cultural and diplomatic relationships across continents.