In 1903, when the Wright brothers’ contraption lifted off the ground at Kitty Hawk, it didn’t inspire awe. Many were unsettled, even frightened. The idea of man defying gravity felt unnatural, and skepticism ran deep. The New York Times, in a famously dismissive moment, predicted it could take one to ten million years before humans mastered flight. Yet, just a few decades later, air travel became not only possible but essential, shrinking continents, linking cultures, and redefining how we move through the world.
Today, we stand at a similar point with generative artificial intelligence. The same pattern of initial resistance followed by gradual acceptance is playing out across healthcare, religion, literature, visual arts, and now, cinema. Just as the airplane eventually became indispensable, AI is finding its place, challenging traditional methods while opening doors to new possibilities.
At the forefront of Nigeria’s AI film industry is Obinna Okerekeocha, founder of the country’s first AI Film Festival, the Naija AI Film Festival (NAIFF). While skeptics worry about the technology’s impact on authentic storytelling and employment, Okerekeocha sees something different: an opportunity to democratize filmmaking in ways previously impossible in Nigeria’s resource-constrained creative economy.
“AI is disrupting a lot of things, providing many resources that were not there before,” Okerekeocha explains in a conversation with CC. “It’s going to make everyone upskill in all the industries, and film and television cannot be left out.”
In 2022, Runway launched the AI Film Festival (AIFF), a groundbreaking initiative that spotlighted filmmakers using emerging AI tools to push the boundaries of storytelling. Now in its third year, the festival has become a global touchpoint for this new wave of creativity. The momentum continues to build worldwide, most recently with the launch of France’s World AI Film Festival on April 11. Founded by former Apple COO Marco Landi, the festival champions AI not as a threat to creativity, but as a catalyst for it. “It gives more opportunity to the imagination,” says Landi.
As generative AI reshapes creative industries around the globe, Okerekeocha is making sure Nigeria isn’t left behind. His initiative comes at a pivotal time for Nollywood, already the world’s second-largest film industry by volume. With AI tools becoming more accessible, Okerekeocha sees a seismic shift on the horizon, one that could elevate Nigeria’s rich storytelling legacy to new global heights.
“Traditional filmmaking barriers have long dictated which stories get told, but AI levels the playing field,” he says.
Through workshops, networking events, and competitive showcases, the Nigerian AI Film Festival is crafting a bold blueprint for how emerging economies can harness cutting-edge technology to both preserve and elevate their cultural narratives. By merging tradition with innovation, the festival not only celebrates local storytelling but also positions Nigeria to potentially overcome the production limitations that often challenge more established film industries.
“My vision for the Nigerian AI Film Festival is to foster a community where storytellers who previously lacked resources can finally bring their narratives to life,” he explains. “AI empowers creators who couldn’t afford traditional filmmaking expenses like crews and locations, democratizing the entire production process.”
When the Studio Ghibli-style ChatGPT trend went viral in March, it sent unease across the digital art community. The reaction echoed the growing anxiety felt by writers and creatives everywhere as they grapple with the rapid rise of AI. While these emotional responses are deeply understandable, they can’t slow the relentless pace of innovation. Technology doesn’t wait. The ethical implications of AI absolutely warrant thoughtful debate, but turning away from the conversation altogether only guarantees being outpaced by those who are already using it to transform their industries.
Okerekeocha addresses this reality: “AI exists to enhance creativity, not diminish it. Beyond generative applications, AI is accelerating cancer detection, pharmaceutical development, and countless other fields. These technologies can free humanity from repetitive tasks, offering benefits we should acknowledge and embrace.”
This perspective reflects the broader pattern of technological evolution throughout history. In the 14th century, portrait painters represented the height of personal documentation; then came photography, followed by film, and later digital imaging. The decisive factor has always been adaptation rather than resistance.
While acknowledging that certain jobs may become obsolete, Okerekeocha emphasizes that success will come to those who strategically integrate AI into their creative processes rather than compete against it. This balanced approach recognizes both AI’s transformative potential and the continuing importance of human creativity in guiding its application.
Slated to begin in September, Okerekeocha’s immediate vision for NAIFF centers on cultivating a vibrant community of AI filmmakers, both established creators already utilizing these tools and newcomers eager to explore the technology’s potential.
“I’m partnering with one of the big AI generation companies that empower creatives to get experts to do online trainings, virtual classes, and to upskill,” he says.
The challenge now lies in demystifying AI and moving beyond fear-based reactions to embrace its permanence in the creative landscape. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into global filmmaking, Nigeria has the opportunity to shape its implementation rather than merely respond to it.
“For filmmakers, Gen AI makes it easier to come up with concepts, art, and visualize. We have to see it as a tool that empowers us and not takes away from us.” Okerekeocha notes. “By seeing AI as a tool that empowers us rather than a threat, we can harness these tools to amplify Nigeria’s rich storytelling traditions.”
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