By the time the credits roll on “Makemation,” Africa would have told a new story — one not steeped in clichés of pain and poverty, but of brilliance, technology, imagination, and the undeniable power of its youth.
A New Dawn for African Storytelling
Something unprecedented is happening in African cinema — and no, it’s not another remake of the family-drama-meets-betrayal script that’s had its moment. It’s bigger, bolder, and coded for the future. It’s called Makemation.
A cinematic first of its kind, Makemation is Africa’s debut AI tech-themed feature film. But it’s more than a genre shift — it’s a seismic shift in storytelling. It’s what happens when a continent’s growing technological ecosystem collides with its unapologetic creativity. Makemation doesn’t just reflect the future. It’s building it.
Produced by Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji of Rise Interactive Studios and helmed by creative minds deeply immersed in both technology and storytelling, Makemation is more than just a film; it’s a cultural statement, a narrative rebellion, and an invitation for young Africans to imagine the unimaginable.
From Rural Lagos to the Centre of Innovation
Set in a near-future Africa, Makemation follows the emotionally rich, twist-filled journey of a brilliant yet underprivileged girl from rural Lagos. She’s the kind of character who refuses to be boxed in by circumstance — a girl who doesn’t wait for permission to dream. Instead, she builds, codes, and calculates her way out.
Armed with raw intelligence and unstoppable willpower, she gains admission into the most prestigious tech institute in Nigeria — a tech school so exclusive that only the children of the elite can afford its seven-figure tuition. But here she is, proof that brilliance isn’t bound by income bracket. She’s not just navigating a school system — she’s navigating an entire ecosystem of algorithms, gatekeepers, and innovations that could shape Africa’s destiny.
It’s a story of becoming, of blooming in dry soil. And more importantly, it’s a story that so many young Africans, especially girls, have been waiting to see reflected on-screen.
The Era of Afritech Cinema
Let’s face it — African cinema has been aching for something new. Mainstream stories have been centered around love triangles, inheritance battles, and occasional spiritual showdowns for too long. That’s not to say they haven’t had their time and place — but we’re overdue for a genre pivot.
Makemation makes that pivot with intention. It’s Africa’s first foray into futuristic cinematic realism grounded in current tech evolution. Think artificial intelligence, data science, drones, quantum computers, robots, and women and young people front-lining it all. It’s not a fantasy — it’s a future-in-progress, rooted in real-life advancements we’re already seeing across Africa.
What makes this leap even more exciting is its relatability. The story isn’t about distant, utopian tech cities in the West. This is about Bariga meeting Machine Learning. It’s Ajegunle meets Algorithms. It’s the grounded, chaotic, ambitious energy of Lagos colliding with the structured logic of code.
Who’s Behind This Vision?
The brilliance of Makemation lies not just in its storyline but in the minds that built it.
At the helm as Director is Michael “AMA Psalmist” Akinrogunde, best known for winning the 2018 AMVCA with Penance. His cinematic vision is precise and heartfelt, grounded in empathy and a sense of curiosity.
But the deeper backbone of this project? Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji—the powerhouse producer, AI development specialist, and human development expert who’s worked extensively in the social space, served on Boards and led youth movements, and is now in FILM, not for the fame but for impact. Her doctoral work at the Nigerian Defense Academy focuses on The Role of AI in National and economic security. So when she says storytelling is a tool for shaping Africa’s future, she’s not just dreaming — she’s strategizing.
Also in the mix are Nollywood icons like Richard Mofe-Damijo and Shaffy Bello, who not only act in the film but also provide preliminary back-end support to help the producer bring it to life. That’s right — the veterans are not just lending their talent; they’re backing the vision with insights and inspiration.
Why Now?
The timing is perfect.
Across Africa, there’s a rising generation of young creators, coders, engineers, and dreamers asking a simple question: What if? What if AI could help us farm better, build better, and live better? What if tech could rewrite the script on poverty, access, and equity?
In Nigeria alone, tech is now the second-largest contributor to GDP. In Kenya, the government is backing AI-powered public infrastructure. In Ghana, AI models are helping predict malaria outbreaks. Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, is being shaped into Africa’s leading smart city.
Everything is unfolding, and Makemation perfectly captures this cross-continental leap.
A Governor’s Nod, A Nation’s Pride
When Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hosted the official announcement of Makemation as the State House in March this past March and further tweeted about it, he wasn’t just promoting a film — he was co-signing a movement.
“I am pleased to announce the release of Africa’s first tech/AI-themed feature film, ‘Makemation,’ which will be in cinemas across Nigeria starting Easter Weekend, April 18, 2025,” he posted on March 9, 2025.
For a state already becoming a hotbed for innovation, Makemation signals something powerful: the future is no longer hypothetical. It’s now.
A Love Letter to Gen Z
This film was made for the bright-eyed 17-year-old in Uyo who just built her first website using ChatGPT. It’s for the boy in Jos whose side hustle is designing mobile games in JavaScript. It’s for the fresh graduate in Kigali who’s asking what it means to blend tech with storytelling. It’s for every African youth who has ever been told, “Be realistic.”
Makemation dares to respond, “Define realistic.”
From its language to its visuals, its soundtrack, and its character arcs, the film pulses with the rhythm of Gen Z and young millennial culture. It’s witty, self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and visually stunning.
Women: Not Just in the Frame — in Focus
Let’s talk about representation.
For decades, tech and science fiction genres have sidelined women, especially African women. But Makemation puts them at the center. The lead character isn’t a sidekick or a love interest. She’s the brain, the brawn, and the beating heart of the story.
And it doesn’t end with her. The film features strong, multi-dimensional female characters who challenge stereotypes — from engineers to institute directors, from moms to mentors. It’s not performative inclusion. It’s intentional storytelling that reflects real life.
Because in real life, African women are not waiting for permission. They’re leading tech startups, heading AI research teams, designing apps, building STEM schools, and now, they’re headlining films like Makemation.
Entertainment With a Purpose
Yes, the movie is fun. There are laughs, thrills, emotional sucker punches, and cinematic set pieces that’ll leave you breathless. But underneath it all is a deeply rooted purpose: to inspire.
The aim is to demonstrate that coding is not limited to individuals from Silicon Valley. Artificial intelligence isn’t some abstract enemy from a sci-fi novel. That storytelling isn’t limited to what we’ve seen a thousand times before.
It’s a call to arms — or rather, a call to code, to build, to dream.
What’s at Stake?
The story of Africa’s future is still being written. The question is: who gets to write it?
Makemation dares to put the pen back in the hands of Africans. It reclaims the narrative, not through empty optimism, but through radical imagination.
In a world where Hollywood often misrepresents Africa and global tech conversations rarely include African voices, this film asserts that our stories — especially the futuristic ones — matter. That we’re not just consumers of innovation but creators of it.
Looking Ahead
Following its April 18 debut in Lagos, Makemation will soon begin iconic Campus Tech Tours to universities. It will then release internationally in several African cities, before going global and hitting screens in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East later in 2025. The aim? Nothing short of a continental and global impact.
But more than the tour dates and box office numbers, Makemation is already succeeding in its most vital mission: igniting minds.
Whether you’re a filmmaker, a programmer, a student, a teacher, or just someone curious about what Africa looks like when she dreams out loud, this film is for you.
Final Scene: What Now?
As the final act of Makemation plays out, one thing becomes clear — the future isn’t coming. It’s here. And it has a distinctly African accent.
So what are you waiting for?
An official website is open. The screen is lighting up. The story is ours to tell.
Visit makemation.com/community to join the waitlist and be the first to know how to be part of the Makemation Movement.
