MORGANABLE LIFE & CULTURE / FILM
The Abuja International Film Festival is placing artificial intelligence at the centre of discussions about cinema, creativity and ethics as its 23rd edition brings filmmakers and industry professionals together today in Nigeria’s capital.
Akure —
The Abuja International Film Festival is placing artificial intelligence at the centre of discussions about cinema, creativity and ethics as its 23rd edition brings filmmakers and industry professionals together today in Nigeria’s capital.
The festival, running from October 20 to 24, carries the theme “Frames Without Borders: AI, Ethics, and the Future of Filmmaking.”
Organisers say the programme will examine how AI is changing film production while encouraging practitioners to protect the human creativity that gives stories their meaning.
The event comes as film industries worldwide explore tools that can generate images, voices, scripts and digital environments.
These tools may help filmmakers work faster and manage costs. However, they also raise questions about consent, copyright, jobs and the ownership of creative work.
AI TAKES CENTRE STAGE
At the festival’s opening, director Temitope Duker urged Nigerian filmmakers to embrace AI and learn how to use it responsibly.
She said the technology could help practitioners create digital sets, design promotional materials and explore new ways to tell stories.
Duker described AI as a tool that could expand creative possibilities rather than erase the essence of filmmaking.
She also noted that the festival’s design materials had been produced with AI, illustrating how the technology can support work beyond the screen.
Her comments reflect a wider debate. Some filmmakers see AI as a way to reduce production costs for independent creators.
Others worry that careless use could weaken original work or let companies use artists’ material without permission.
ETHICS, CONSENT AND COPYRIGHT
One major question is how filmmakers should use the likeness and voice of performers.
AI tools can produce digital characters that resemble real actors or imitate their voices.
That ability may create new production options, but it also makes consent and fair payment essential.
Duker said filmmakers could create characters based on known performers and use their voices when they had secured the necessary permissions and agreements.
Her comments highlight the importance of setting clear terms before using a person’s image, voice or performance in AI-generated material.
Copyright presents another challenge. Filmmakers need to understand whether the images, music, scripts and other material used to train or guide AI systems can be used lawfully.
They must also consider who owns the final work when a human creator relies heavily on automated tools.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR NIGERIAN FILMMAKERS
For Nigeria’s film industry, AI could offer practical benefits. Independent filmmakers may use digital tools to develop visual effects, plan scenes, produce early drafts and create promotional content without paying for every task through traditional methods.
In some cases, these tools could help small teams attempt projects that once required larger budgets.
Nevertheless, lower costs do not guarantee a successful film. Strong stories still depend on thoughtful writing, believable performances, skilled direction and a clear understanding of audiences.
Filmmakers must also check AI-generated material for errors, stereotypes and details that misrepresent Nigerian communities or cultures.
That cultural responsibility is particularly important as Nigerian films reach audiences at home and abroad.
AI can help creators experiment with languages, settings and visual styles, but technology should not flatten the differences that make local stories distinctive.
Human judgment remains vital when deciding how communities, histories and traditions appear on screen.
CHINA PARTNERSHIP OPENS NEW CHANNELS
The festival is also building international links. A 10-member diplomatic and industry delegation from the China Film Administration is attending the event, according to reports from Nigerian media.
The delegation is expected to take part in discussions and networking focused on co-productions and film distribution.
The visit could create opportunities for Nigerian filmmakers interested in reaching Chinese and wider Asian audiences.
It may also encourage Chinese industry professionals to explore partnerships with Nollywood.
However, lasting benefits will depend on concrete agreements, workable financing and a clear understanding of each market’s audience and regulations.
Festival director Temitope Duker has described the engagement as a bridge between two film industries.
International partnerships can help filmmakers share technical knowledge, develop projects together and reach viewers beyond their home markets.
They can also introduce new financing and distribution options for productions that might otherwise struggle to travel.
SUPPORTING EMERGING TALENT
Beyond the AI debate, the festival offers screenings, masterclasses, workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities.
Its programme includes sessions for directors, writers, producers, actors, cinematographers and post-production professionals.
These activities can help participants exchange practical knowledge and learn how other parts of the industry operate.
Organisers say the festival received hundreds of film entries this year, with 86 titles selected for the final programme and more than 30 receiving nominations, according to a report by Phenomenal.
The selection gives local productions a platform while allowing audiences to encounter stories from different backgrounds.
For new filmmakers, a festival screening can provide valuable exposure. It also offers a chance to hear audience responses, meet experienced practitioners and build relationships that may lead to future work.
However, emerging creators still need access to training, funding, equipment and distribution if they are to turn attention into sustainable careers.
A BALANCE BETWEEN TOOLS AND STORYTELLING
As the Abuja International Film Festival continues, its central question is not simply whether filmmakers should use AI.
It is how they can use the technology without losing authorship, cultural identity or public trust.
The discussions may help Nigerian practitioners weigh new opportunities against the responsibilities that come with them.
The festival is scheduled to conclude with an awards ceremony on October 24, according to its official programme.
Its wider impact will depend on whether conversations lead to practical guidance, stronger partnerships and continued support for filmmakers.
For now, the event has placed AI firmly on the agenda and invited the industry to shape its role in cinema.
