Lights, Camera, Innovation! Lagos to Host Africa’s Premier AI Feature Film!

Makemation is set to be the first feature film out of Africa themed on artificial intelligence (AI). It is poised to make history as it prepares for its highly anticipated global release in Lagos, Nigeria this Easter.

Setting the Pace 

This groundbreaking production has attracted global attention with an international teaser, screened at the 2024 Global AI Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and a private stakeholders’ viewing in Kenya. Now, Lagos is set to be the next location where Nigerian audiences will be the first to experience its full cinematic debut after its nationwide cinema release on the 18th of April 2025. This will be followed by an international rollout across other African countries, the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East, in May 2025.

Eager viewers can expect an unconventional and exciting mix of Nollywood’s brightest stars, tech industry experts, public officials, and emerging talents from the social media space. Makemation is a four-quadrant family drama that boasts a unique blend of pop culture, research, and AI into a high-tension, inspiring, and comedic masterpiece. It's a rollercoaster of a film, taking audiences on an emotional, thought-provoking, and hilarious journey while highlighting how young Africans are leveraging world-class technology to tackle some of the continent’s most wicked problems.

Theme-Packed Showpiece 

Makemation goes behind the normal, thanks to the team of gifted and vibrant young creatives behind it. Most of them are in their 20s and 30s, pushing the showpiece beyond entertainment to explore critical themes such as STEM education, digital skills, financial literacy, and gender equality. The film also advocates for other significant themes, such as greater accessibility to technology, inclusion of disadvantaged populations, and equitable healthcare driven by locally developed solutions.

According to Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, the creator and renowned AI for Development expert and global thought leader “Makemation is more than just a film; it’s a movement. We want to spark conversations, drive policy changes, and engage young minds—students, teachers, and parents—on the transformative power of AI and the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution. As Gen Zs and Gen Alphas shape the future, this is Nigeria and Africa’s moment to take the lead in the global digital revolution. Through this film, we invite the world to see the intersection of Nigeria’s creative and digital economies through our ambitions and traditions – and co-create the best of AI tools that will serve the interest of humanity.” As the producer of Makemation, Toyosi wants the firm directed by the young, multi-award-winning Filmmaker, Michael “AMA PSALMIST” Akinrogunde, to resonate with young people. 

Cutting Across Many Divides

The diversity is there for all to see, as Makemation puts stunning locations in full display, including rural and riverine communities, as well as some of Lagos’ most exclusive highbrow areas and never-before-seen spaces. The audience can expect exceptional storytelling, original score, striking production design, humor, and deeply insightful themes. While young people can immediately identify with the film, it's billed to captivate audiences of all ages, ethnic groups, and religions, combining entertainment with education in an unprecedented way.

Makemation is produced by Rise Interactive Studios & Rise Networks, two visionary sister organizations dedicated to showcasing Africa’s innovation potential. The film is packed with clear messages, showcasing how the future of Africa is already here, and why Nigeria’s youth will not be left behind in the technological transformation reshaping the world.