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Obinna Okerekeocha, the founder of the Naija AI Film Festival, recently spoke with Techpoly, sharing his extensive background in media, which includes work as an artist, filmmaker, producer, and in advertising, philanthropy, and content development over the past three decades. The discussion was set to explore how film makers can simply and transform film production use modern Generative AI technology. Using these specialized tools is guaranteed to improve creativity, save cost and completely transform film making.
Generative AI Development Challenges
The discussion focused on the challenges and opportunities of developing African-focused generative AI models. Obinna explained that while Western datasets dominate current AI training, there is a need for African developers to build indigenous systems. Ones that better reflect local cultures and languages. He highlighted the difficulty of sourcing and organising large amounts of data. He also laid emphasis on the high costs associated with setting up data centres and GPUs for training. Despite these challenges, Obinna mentioned examples of Nigerian developers creating their own LLMs and models. They include EIS Studio NG and Speech, which use APIs from indigenous models and support local languages.
AI Development and Filmmaking Challenges
Obinna highlighted the need for data centres in Nigeria to support AI development and model training. He stated that although plans exist for such infrastructure, the country is not yet at that stage. TechPolyp shifted the focus to the features and benefits of generative AI for filmmakers. We asked about its capabilities in special effects and character generation.
image credit: NAIFF
Generative AI in Filmmaking
Obinna highlighted the use of generative AI in filmmaking, highlighting its potential to empower creators by reducing costs and simplifying processes such as creating storyboards and visual effects. He emphasised the democratisation of filmmaking through affordable tools and the ability to produce high-quality content without expensive equipment. Obinna also addressed ethical concerns around copyright and deepfakes, advocating for creators to develop their unique styles to ensure responsible AI use.
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AI Film Festival and Festivities
Obinna shared details about the first edition of their AI festival held on September 13th 2025, which included AI film showcases, panel discussions on ethical AI use, live demos, and an awards night. He used the platform of the event to advise startups to develop their own unique style and train their models to focus on that, thereby avoiding infringement on others’ styles or copyrighted content. He explained that this approach helps navigate legal issues, such as the ongoing Disney vs. Midjourney case.
Image credit: NAIFF
Obinna announced that an annual event will be held starting in September of next year, with a focus on making early announcements and attracting more partners. Techpolyp raised a question about the impact of generative AI on job displacement in the film industry, to which Obinna responded by emphasising the need to focus on the new job opportunities AI creates rather than solely on job losses. He encouraged creatives to learn AI skills to stay competitive in the evolving job market.
AI and Job Creation Opportunities
Obinna discussed the impact of AI on jobs, emphasising that while some roles may be automated, AI enhances human efficiency. Also, it creates new opportunities for those who upskill in AI technologies. He highlighted the importance of adapting to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and leveraging AI to improve productivity across various sectors.
Ethical Concern Around AI Use in Content Creation
The discussion also touched on the ethical use of AI, particularly regarding the Naija AI Film Festival’s commitment to original content and avoiding the misuse of images or voices without consent. Obinna emphasises NAIFF’s strict adherence to regulatory guidelines for community members. He alos emphasised the importance of creating original content and respecting intellectual property rights.
NAIFF’s future plans include the development of a streaming platform to distribute AI-created films globally, while maintaining the authenticity of African cultural heritage.
