The Nigeria AI Film Festival (NAIFF) will return to Alliance Française Lagos in September 2026, with organisers opening submissions for filmmakers, artists and digital creators exploring artificial intelligence in storytelling and film production.
The festival, founded by Obinna Okerekeocha, is returning for its second edition as interest in the use of artificial intelligence across Africa’s film and creative industries continues to grow.
Organisers said this year’s programme will place greater emphasis on experimentation, collaboration and discussions around the ethical use of AI in filmmaking. The event will feature screenings of AI-driven films, industry panels, practical workshops and networking sessions bringing together professionals from the creative and technology sectors.
NAIFF emerged last year as a platform for conversations around AI and storytelling, attracting more than 400 submissions during its inaugural edition. The programme included film screenings, panel discussions and the AI Academy, an initiative designed to provide creatives with practical skills for AI-assisted production.
Chidera “Odera Collins” Okonji, the festival’s communications director and panel host, said the debut edition challenged established approaches to storytelling and encouraged participants to explore new creative possibilities through technology.
Submissions for the 2026 festival opened on May 1 and will close on July 31. Organisers are inviting entries that demonstrate innovative uses of AI in cinematic storytelling.
Director of Programmes Chisom Ifeakandu said the festival aims to ensure African creators play a central role in shaping conversations about artificial intelligence and creativity. She said organisers are seeking films that use AI as a meaningful storytelling tool rather than a novelty.
The festival’s organisers said NAIFF remains focused on supporting the development of sustainable innovation within African cinema while encouraging dialogue on the future relationship between technology and human creativity.
The Nigeria AI Film Festival was established to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and filmmaking, providing a platform for creators, technologists and industry stakeholders to examine emerging trends in film production and storytelling.
