Showbiz
AI and African storytelling: Empowering the Next Generation of Filmmakers
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the global film industry, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
The MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a leading pan-African film and TV production academy, recognises the transformative potential of AI in empowering the next generation of African storytellers.
Besides being a sustainable, impactful talent pipeline, MTF is a flagship MultiChoice CSI initiative, with the goal of ensuring that Africa’s next generation are not just consumers, but active shapers of the technology evolution. As storytellers, they are also equipped to make use of technology, leverage AI to enhance African creativity and drive industry growth on the continent.
The AI enabler
In this understanding of the new technology, AI is not seen as an alternative to human creativity, or a threat, but an enabler; an amplifier. For African filmmakers, AI opens doors to enhance storytelling, streamline production processes, and bring authentic narratives to life in innovative ways. By embracing AI, filmmakers can elevate their craft, making it more efficient and accessible while preserving the rich humanity that defines African storytelling traditions.
AI is already established as an invaluable tool in the production of mainstream commercial films. Several cult and commercial films have used AI as an integral part of their production process.
Among these was The Irishman from 2019, which used an AI technology called FaceSwap to reference older movies of the lead actors, and then create youthful “de-aged” versions of those actors.
A similar type of “deepfake” technology is also sometimes used in high-budget action movies to replace the faces of stunt artists with the faces of the lead actors in the final film. Such a technique was used in the Marvel movie Shang-Chi And The Legend of the Ten Rings, where machine learning was used to “swap” the faces of stunt doubles during fight scenes.
In The Brutalist, AI was used to improve the pronunciation of lead actors Adrien Brody and Felicity Jones, who speak Hungarian in parts of the movie.
Some filmmaking AI applications have drawn praise, while others have courted controversy. However, for Africa to occupy its rightful space as home to many of the world’s greatest stories, the continent’s storytelling talent must learn these AI methods – and a host of others.
The tools at work
Many of these AI tools are pre-production tools that enhance the efficiency of the process and even make it more affordable. During the process, AI technology can be used for applications like idea iteration, scene blocking, to generate mood boards, or to assist with initial script drafts.
AI can also assist in generating a range of plot possibilities, help to pre-visualise scenes, streamline editing and create sophisticated visual effects.
While AI offers immense potential, it also raises ethical questions, such as data privacy, representation, and the responsible use of technologies like deepfakes. MTF stresses the importance of addressing these concerns thoughtfully, encouraging filmmakers to use AI in ways that respect cultural values and maintain trust with audiences.
Opportunities for African Storytellers
For African filmmakers, AI presents a unique opportunity to tell stories that resonate globally while staying rooted in local cultures. By leveraging AI, they can create visually stunning films, enhance production efficiency, and reach wider audiences through platforms like MultiChoice’s hyperlocal content ecosystem, which prioritises stories that reflect viewers’ lived experiences.
MTF’s mission is to empower young filmmakers to seize these opportunities, ensuring they are equipped to navigate the technological future of the industry. By encouraging a deep understanding of AI’s capabilities, MTF encourages graduates to push creative boundaries while maintaining the authenticity of African narratives.
MultiChoice, parent company to MTF, is already deploying AI to enrich its content offering and to improve user experiences. AI tools are applied to extract useful insights from the oceans of data generated by MultiChoice subscribers and used to customise and refine their customer journeys.
In the final analysis, AI is critical to delivering a world-class training programme that will equip aspiring film and TV professionals to thrive in a dynamic media landscape. With AI as a partner, the next generation of filmmakers is ready to redefine the art and impact of African cinema.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A 12-hour non-stop entertainment event offering various performances and activities all night long will take place in Lagos from the evening of December 21 into the early hours of December 22, 2025.
This programme known as InsomniaQ, is being put together by one of Africa’s leading digital payments platforms, Quickteller.
Quickteller is a brand powered by the Interswitch Group, and InsomniaQ was created to celebrate African creativity.
The all-night music and entertainment experience will hold at the Ballroom of the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
It is designed to capture the vibrancy and cultural energy that define Lagos in December. InsomniaQ is positioned to become Africa’s newest must-attend December destination.
The concert blends diverse African soundscapes, creative expression, and immersive lifestyle experiences, offering a night curated for music lovers, diaspora returnees, cultural enthusiasts, and everyone drawn to the city’s festive season.
More than a concert, InsomniaQ represents a new cultural moment, one that celebrates the richness, depth, and diversity of African talent. With a lineup cutting across contemporary and alternative genres, the festival aims to introduce a bold, fresh, and unforgettable experience within Lagos’ already vibrant entertainment landscape.
“InsomniaQ is an invitation to celebrate African creativity in a way that feels bold, fresh, and true to who we are.
“Quickteller has always been an essential part of the experiences people value, and this festival brings that connection to life in an entirely new dimension.
“As Lagos welcomes friends, family, and visitors from around the world each December, we are proud to introduce a platform that showcases our music, our culture, and the vibrant energy that defines this season,” the Divisional Head of Growth Marketing for Quickteller Ecosystem at Interswitch, Mr Olawale Akanbi, noted.
Through Quickteller, Interswitch continues to champion initiatives that go beyond digital transactions to enrich the everyday life of millions of Nigerians.
InsomniaQ extends this mission by empowering cultural expression, unlocking creative opportunities, and supporting the continent’s growing entertainment ecosystem.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The quartet of Oyindamola Timothy (Fashion), Steve Adeyemo (Tech), Uche Kalu (Dance), and Emmanuel Elijah (Music) emerged the category winners of the Stanbic IBTC FUZE Talent Show 4.0.
They received N10 million each for their efforts, along with mentorship opportunities, industry exposure, and support to advance their creative journeys.
The four were chosen from the 12 finalists at an event aired on Sunday, December 14, 2025, on AIT (DStv Channel 253) at 7:00 pm, Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151) at 5:00 pm, and streamed live on the official Stanbic IBTC YouTube channel, connecting millions of viewers to the excitement and energy of the show.
The 2025 edition drew over 6,000 entries nationwide and continued to inspire a new wave of innovation among young Nigerians in fashion, technology, dance, and music. The participants fought for a share of the N90 million in prizes put up by the organisers.
This year, the FUZE Talent Show also introduced an exciting new twist: The Fan Favourite Feature, which allowed viewers across the country to vote for the contestant who most inspired them. This addition deepened audience participation and further strengthened FUZE’s mission to connect creativity with community support.
“FUZE 4.0 truly lived up to its promise as The Ultimate Show, a platform that celebrates courage, creativity, and innovation.
“Every contestant who graced that stage reminded us of the extraordinary potential of Nigerian youths.
“At Stanbic IBTC, we are proud to continue creating opportunities that help young people dream bigger, think bolder, and achieve more. It is all about home-grown talent for us as we power the made-in-Nigeria initiative,” the chief executive of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Mr Chuma Nwokocha, said.
As excitement builds for FUZE Festival coming up on Saturday, December 20, 2025, attendees can anticipate experiencing this year’s edition theme The Ultimate Show in full, with circus-style attractions, from magicians and parade performers to flash mobs and art displays.
An expanded marketplace, freebies from participating partners and on-site Stanbic IBTC services will enhance convenience, while performances by Wande Coal, Pheelz, Chike, and Ms DSF will add a nostalgic, high-energy finish. Interested attendees can register to attend via the Stanbic IBTC Events App or visit www.events.stanbicibtc.com to secure their spot.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The 2019 single released by Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer, CKay, Love Nwantiti, has officially surpassed one billion streams on Spotify.
This feat has made him one of the few African artists to reach this milestone and the first Nigerian solo act to achieve this.
The song has sustained a global appeal, with listeners from the United States, India, Indonesia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom playing it in the last 28 days alone, a proof of the track’s staying power well beyond its viral peak.
This achievement places CKay in an elite group of African artists with billion-stream records on Spotify, which includes hits driven by collaborations with Nigerian artists, such as Drake’s One Dance (featuring Wizkid and Kyla), Future’s Wait For U (featuring Drake and Tems), and Rema’s Calm Down (featuring Selena Gomez), and solo song Water, by Tyla.
Love Nwantiti was released on CKay’s EP titled CKay the First. It began as a slow-burn masterpiece that captured a global audience. It then broke out by blending the grooving rhythm of Afrobeats with an emotional feeling and an entrancing melody, a sound CKay himself pioneered and coined as Emo-Afrobeats, fusing African rhythms with raw, heartfelt emotion.
The song, which translates to sweet gentle love in the Igbo language, communicates an intense desire for a love interest. Its journey from a homegrown Nigerian track to a cultural sensation fuelled by countless dance challenges, social virality, and international remixes is proof of the widespread power of its sound.
It remains a fixture on playlists globally, with over 3.9 million playlist adds and sustained streaming momentum across continents.
CKay achieved this historic mark with a solo, non-collaborative lead release by a Nigerian artist. This distinction highlights his unique vision and singular impact as both a writer and performer, making him a true torchbearer for the new generation of African music talent.
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