Toyosi Akerele-Oguniji, a human development expert-turned-filmmaker, is pleased with her team’s efforts in producing the first African feature film about artificial intelligence, “Makemation.” Toyosi told NollyNow that she spent three years of her life researching, producing, and editing the ambitious film, which was unveiled to a star-studded crowd at Lagos House in Marina on Sunday night.
She stated, “The future is here, and you can see how technology is fundamentally changing the world. AI is a professional path I chose several years ago while obtaining my PhD. My thesis was titled ‘The Role of AI: National and Economic Security’. I am quite excited about how AI is revolutionising things.
“The film combines generative AI and live action. It is equally crucial to examine AI that works in the best interests of humans. We believe that the job of AI in this process should be to elevate mankind rather than to replace the role of creativity and traditional filmmaking. This is only the beginning. We plan to shoot six episodes of ‘Makemation’.
My ambition is for this video to be a definite, creative piece that will expose the eyes of young people in Nigeria and around Africa to the potential of technology. “For the past three years, I have committed my life to producing, researching, and working on music, film, and editing. Nigerian films should showcase indigenous innovations. This movie is for the future. Success is not limited to a chosen few.”
“Makemation,” starring renowned Nollywood actors such as Richard Mofe-Damijo, Tony Umez, Shaffy Bello, Ibrahim Chatta, Toyin Afolayan, and Ali Nuhu, examines the convergence of real life and artificial intelligence, demonstrating young people using technology to solve problems.
According to Toyosi, the film goes beyond amusement to address vital issues such as STEM education, digital skills, financial literacy, gender equality, and accessibility to technology. The film also investigates AI’s revolutionary capacity and its implications for the fourth industrial revolution. Toyosi stated that she began developing “Makemation” with her crew in June 2022, with principal photography beginning in 2023.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu praised the film’s producer and cast, promising creatives that he is eager to engage on revolutionary ideas that showcase and expand the state’s creative industry.
The film has already received global interest, with an international teaser screening at the 2024 Global AI Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a private stakeholders’ viewing in Kenya set to release nationwide on April 18th, 2025. It will be followed by a tour of other university and secondary schools across the country.
