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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 workMany 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 StorytellersFor 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.
The All Progressive Congress primary election that is currently ongoing has brought about surprises in some states, especially the Senate primary that was held yesterday.
The election, so far, can be described as one that has fallen even the mighty ones. We have seen grown men wailing and lamenting because they couldn’t accept the fact that they lost their bid to return to the national assembly despite their support for the government.
For some people who have been in the party for years, newcomers dislodged them during the election, and they have been crying foul, threatening to start legal actions, and the situation is bad for them because they can’t move to another party anymore.
Among those who were shockingly taken out of the way are Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North and former governor Gbenga Daniel, the senator representing Ogun East senatorial district. Their loss is so humbling that they almost didn’t get any votes in their respective election.
Ned Nwoko lost to the former governor of Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa, while Gbenga Daniel lost to the incumbent governor of Ogun state, Dapo Abiodun.
However, their losses had been foretold by popular Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, who is renowned for his prophetic insights on issues about politics, governance, education, and nations, to mention but a few.
In different live services, Primate Ayodele had warned both politicians about their ambition, foretelling what would befall them if they went ahead with the primaries.
For Gbenga Daniel, Primate Ayodele stated that a higher authority has taken his right from him, while advising him to forget about the position because they will only mock him. He revealed that the case has already been settled and it’s not in the former governor’s favour. This was months before the primary was held.
These were his words:
“The issue of Dapo and Gbenga Daniel. Gbenga Daniel doesn’t know that his party doesn’t love him. What happened is from the higher authority, and that may be the end of the case, so if Gbenga is struggling, they will just be mocking him.”
As he said, despite the fact that Gbenga Daniel tried his best to see that he gets a return ticket to the senate, he had to step down a few hours before the primary election as the odd wasn’t in his favour.
For Ned Nwoko, Primate Ayodele had stated that the ticket would be given to Okowa even when nobody believed it.
These were his words:
“Okowa and Ned senate ticket; they want to give it to Okowa, so watch , they will fail you Ned.”
As he said, Ned lost woefully in the election while Okowa won him with a margin that can never be closed.
At least 100 deaths have been reported in an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with more than 390 cases suspected, the head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention has told the BBC.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the outbreak an international emergency.
The current strain of Ebola is caused by the Bundibugyo virus, for which there are no approved drugs or vaccines.
There are also two confirmed cases and one death in Uganda, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
This unfortunate incident is coming after Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele repeatedly warned that there will be fresh outbreak of Ebola Virus in Africa.
He even went as far as mentioning the countries that will be affected by the virus, while warning the world health organization to take note of the disease.
These were his words:
“Ebola; Uganda, Sudan, Cameroun, Tanzania, DR Congo, watch out….”
Also in his prophecies for the new year which was released in December 2025, Primate Ayodele mentioned that there will be outbreak of Ebola virus in some countries in Africa which will lead to death of people.
These were his words:
“I foresee a lot of health challenges will surface in Africa namely Ebola, Tuberculosis, Jaundice, Lassa fever, migraine and another form of covid. I foresee chicken pox and another disease will break out in Nigeria.”
As he warned, the new wave of the virus as fulfilled Primate Ayodele’s prophecy.
In early July 2025, when the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was unveiled as the opposition coalition party for the 2027 election, Nigerians were overjoyed.They weren’t just excited for the party, but also for those who made up the party. They were bigwigs from the 2023 presidential election and two major candidates of the opposition; Abubakar Atiku of PDP and Peter Obi of the Labour Party were part of the coalition.Many Nigerians who want the APC out of the way were excited that, for the first time, opposition parties in Nigeria realised it would take unity to remove a strong politician like President Tinubu from power and because in the last election, the combined votes of opposition parties surpassed that of Tinubu, the combination of the two opposition actors was seen as a great force.However, while Nigerians were happy about the coalition, Primate Elijah Ayodele, a renowned prophet who is known for the prophetic position he occupies in global politics and governance, revealed what was to come for the coalition during a press conference.The press conference was held on the 5th of July, to launch his annual prophecy book titled Warnings To The Nations, and during the question-and-answer sessions, he was asked about the fate of the ADC, and his response left everyone surprised.He mentioned that the ADC coalition is good, but the former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, would pull out of the party. He stated that the coalition is divine but Peter Obi will pull out. This was barely one week after the coalition was unveiled.These were his words:“The coalition is divine. Only a spell will dismantle the coalition.“Peter Obi will still pull out from this coalition, if care is not taken. If they advise him wrongly to pull out, he cannot win.”“If Obi said he wants to pull out, use Rotimi Amaechi (ex-minister). No other person (sic) will contest, it is Atiku. But the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) believes they have won the 2027 election with these governors that they are poaching. President Bola Tinubu, you have not won yet; I am giving you a warning now, how you can win, how people will defeat you.“Anything I said, that’s what God said. And I am presenting it that way. So, if you don’t like it, it is in 2027 that you will regret it.”https://thelagostimes.com/2027-election-primate-ayodele-releases-prophecy-on-adc-coalition-says-peter-obi-will-pull-out/Just as Primate Ayodele warned, Peter Obi left the coalition yesterday Sunday to pursue his presidential ambition elsewhere.This fulfilment further shuts the critics of Primate Ayodele; many have said what he does is permutation and analysis but there is no way anyone could have thought Peter Obi would leave the coalition in July 2025, the very beginning of the coalition when the going was at its best. This shows Primate Ayodele remains a formidable and credible prophet for all nations.Likewise, on the issue of Rabiu Kwankwaso, Primate Ayodele has always maintained that he is not fully with the ADC and that he will just be there like a mole.This has been fulfilled too because Kwankwaso left with Obi to NDC, just few weeks after joining.
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