AAIIFF January 2026: When technology met culture and story took the lead

 

The maiden edition of the African AI International Film Festival (AAIIFF) in January 2026 concluded with clarity and conviction. Across keynote addresses, masterclasses, performances, and panel discussions, the festival delivered a unified message: artificial intelligence may be the tool, but story remains the soul.

AAIIFF emerged as more than a showcase of AI-powered films. It became a space for reflection on culture, authorship, and the responsibility that comes with telling African stories in a rapidly evolving digital age.

Story Before Technology: A Masterclass Reminder

One of the most grounding moments of the festival came from Om’Oba Jerry Adesewo, FCT Chapter Chairman of the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP). In his masterclass, he returned creators to first principles, reminding the audience that every meaningful production must begin with a script.

His session reinforced the importance of structure, character development, and dramatic intention, stressing that technology, including AI, should enhance a story, not replace its foundation. The message was clear: innovation thrives best when it is anchored in strong storytelling.

Culture as Humanity’s First Technology

Offering a deeply resonant cultural perspective, Dr. Peter Ajanson, President of the YALI RLC Alumni Association Nigeria, reframed the conversation around AI entirely. He described storytelling as humanity’s oldest technology, an enduring tool for preserving memory, meaning, and identity.

In this context, AI was positioned not as a disruptive force but as a continuation of an ancient human practice. His insight challenged participants to see AI filmmaking as part of a longer cultural lineage rather than a break from tradition.

A Question That Defined the Festival

The festival’s keynote address by Mrs. Grace Oyedokun, Founder of African Women in AI (AWAI), posed a question that lingered well beyond her session:

“Who is telling our cultural story?”

This question became a reflective anchor for AAIIFF, prompting creators and audiences alike to consider issues of authorship, representation, and responsibility. In an era where stories can be generated at scale, the festival underscored the importance of intentionality in shaping narratives about African identity.

Spoken Word: Where Emotion Took Centre Stage

AAIIFF also created room for lived experience through spoken word performances that brought emotional depth to the programme.

Time Bello from Nigeria delivered a powerful piece titled “The Missing Person,” while Mercy Beryl from Kenya performed an evocative spoken word centred on teenage pregnancy. These performances served as poignant reminders that technology finds its deepest relevance when it amplifies human truth rather than overshadowing it.

Panel Conversations on Tradition, Modernity, and AI

A thought-provoking panel discussion featuring Mwangi Kinuthia (Uzima) and Chika Babs-Mensah explored the tensions and possibilities at the intersection of tradition, modern life, and AI cinema.

Key themes included how cultural values continue to surface in urban narratives, the challenges of blending rural heritage with contemporary city settings, and whether AI filmmakers carry a responsibility to represent both worlds honestly. Discussions also touched on the role of music and language in bridging generational gaps, balancing commercial expectations with cultural authenticity, and how younger audiences are reconnecting with their roots through modern, AI-enhanced storytelling.

The panellists agreed that when used with intention, AI can serve as a powerful medium for cultural preservation without sacrificing relevance or innovation.

Celebrating Excellence in AI Storytelling

AAIIFF January 2026 concluded by recognising outstanding creative contributions that exemplified both technical skill and narrative depth:

• Best AI Creator: Goodwill Jeremiah

• Best Themed Film: Chika Babs-Mensah

• Best AI Film: Nnyema Benson

Each award reflected a commitment to storytelling that honours African identity and lived experience, reinforcing the festival’s core values.

Beyond the Screen

AAIIFF January 2026 did more than showcase films. It sparked necessary conversations about ownership, identity, and the future of African storytelling in an age shaped by artificial intelligence. The festival reaffirmed SAB (AFN) Studios NG’s mission to empower African creators to tell African stories authentically, boldly, and on their own terms.

As the curtain fell on this edition, one truth stood firm: technology may evolve, but culture endures, and story remains the bridge between the past, the present, and what lies ahead.