The African AI Film Festival is opening a new stage for African and African-diaspora storytellers using artificial intelligence.
Launching its inaugural edition in November 2026, the African AI Film Festival is the first global stage dedicated to African and African-diaspora filmmakers reimagining cinema with artificial intelligence. The festival brings together Africa’s storytelling traditions with the newest creative technologies, creating a platform where filmmakers can explore new ways of telling authentic African stories. By hosting live events in both Hollywood and Kampala, the festival creates a bridge between African storytelling and the global AI filmmaking community.
A Festival Built Around Access and Authenticity
The festival was created with a clear mission: to give powerful new creative tools to artists who have historically faced barriers to filmmaking.
According to the organisers, generative AI is changing the equation. Instead of requiring Hollywood-sized budgets, large crews, or expensive equipment, creators can now bring ambitious cinematic visions to life using new AI technologies. The festival believes what matters most is no longer access to resources, but imagination, culture, and storytelling.
Beyond celebrating innovation, the African AI Film Festival is built around four core values:
- Access
- Authenticity
- Responsible AI
- Community
The festival also places a strong emphasis on ethical AI filmmaking, requiring transparency about the AI tools used while prohibiting deceptive deepfakes, non-consensual likenesses, and harmful content.
An International Jury and Advisory Board
The African AI Film Festival brings together filmmakers, journalists, producers and AI creators from across Africa to help celebrate outstanding work and support the next generation of storytellers.
Jury
- Joan Kabugu (Kenya)
- Amira Sayed (Egypt)
- T.J. Seaman (Nigeria)
- Pauline Nabbosa (Uganda)
Advisory Board
- Carolyn Carew (South Africa)
- Malik Afegbua (Nigeria)
- Rita Lamotte (Morocco)
Together, they bring a diverse range of creative, cinematic and industry perspectives to the festival, reinforcing its mission to celebrate authentic African storytelling through AI.
Celebrating African AI Cinema
The inaugural edition recognises a wide range of AI-powered productions through categories including:
- AI Short Film
- AI Animation
- AI Documentary
- Student & Emerging Film
Additional awards include Best Director, Best of Festival, Audience Award, Cultural Resonance Award, and Best Film by an African-Based Filmmaker, celebrating both creative excellence and authentic African storytelling.
Selected filmmakers will also have the opportunity to receive official laurels and trophies, AI tool credits from festival sponsors, mentorship and pitch opportunities, and screenings during the festival showcase.
SHAIKE x African AI Film Festival
SHAIKE is proud to partner with the African AI Film Festival and welcome it to our growing network of international AI film festivals.
Through partnerships like this, SHAIKE continues to connect filmmakers with festivals that celebrate creativity, innovation and the future of AI cinema.new opportunities while celebrating the diverse voices shaping the future of AI cinema.
Submit Your Film
Submissions for the inaugural edition are now open.
The festival welcomes filmmakers from Africa and the African diaspora who are using AI to tell original stories and explore new forms of cinematic expression.
Live in Hollywood: November 21, 2026
Live in Kampala, Uganda: December 12, 2026
