“Makemation:” Africa’s First AI-Themed Feature Film 

Nollywood is making history with Makemation, Africa’s first feature film centered on artificial intelligence. This pioneering project has already captured global attention, with teaser screenings at prestigious venues such as the 2024 Global AI Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The film has also been showcased at the 2024 Kenya Innovation Week and received an exclusive screening at the U.S. Consul General’s residence in Lagos, building momentum ahead of the Global Inclusivity and AI Africa Conference.

Regarding the project, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, an AI for Development expert and producer, described Makemation as “more than just a film; it is a movement.”

“We want to spark conversations, drive policy changes, and engage young minds—students, teachers, parents—on the transformative power of AI and the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution. As Gen Zs and Gen Alphas shape the future, this is Nigeria and Africa’s moment to take the lead in the global digital revolution,” Akerele-Ogunsiji said.

“Through this film, we invite the world to see the intersection of Nigeria’s creative and digital economies through our ambitions and traditions – and co-create the best of AI tools that will serve the interest of humanity.”

Makemation marks a transformative moment for Nollywood, positioning Africa’s largest film industry at the intersection of entertainment and technological innovation. By taking this bold step, Nigeria’s film sector strengthens its global standing, potentially attracting investors and fostering partnerships with international AI and film technology companies.

As the world’s second-largest film industry by production volume, Nollywood’s adoption of AI technology could revolutionize its renowned rapid production model. Integrating AI tools across the production pipeline—from scriptwriting to visual effects and post-production—promises to enhance Nigerian films’ technical quality and efficiency. While details of the AI integration in Makemation remain under wraps, the film signals a potential future where Nollywood embraces AI-driven script generation, digital de-aging, or CGI enhancements.

Despite valid concerns about AI’s impact on traditional film jobs, this shift is poised to generate new opportunities within Nollywood. The emergence of roles for AI specialists and machine learning engineers could diversify the industry’s workforce and cultivate a new generation of tech-savvy film professionals.

Perhaps most significantly, Makemation serves as a powerful educational tool. With Nollywood’s audience—evidenced by this year’s record-breaking box office numbers—the industry has a unique opportunity to demystify AI technology for millions of Nigerians. Through the accessible medium of cinema, complex technological concepts can be presented in ways that resonate with viewers of all backgrounds, fostering greater technological literacy across the nation.

Under the visionary direction of Michael ‘AMA PSALMIST’ Akinrogunde, this ambitious film emerges from the collaborative efforts of Rise Interactive Studios, with industry powerhouses Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji as executive producer, alongside veteran actors Richard Mofe Damijo and Shaffy Bello serving as co-producers.

The narrative centers on a brilliant but poor teenage girl whose journey showcases her intellect and determination to lift her family from hardship. The cast features rising star Tomi Ojo alongside acclaimed actors Ibrahim Chatta, Chioma Chukwuka, Shaffy Bello, and Richard Mofe Damijo, bringing depth and authenticity to the story.

This venture represents a bold evolution for Nollywood, pushing beyond recent cross-cultural experiments like Nigerian-Korean collaborations to explore the cutting edge of technological storytelling. Makemation signals the industry’s growing ambition to tackle contemporary global themes while maintaining its distinctive cultural voice.