Nigerian filmmakers and other stakeholders in the creative industry have urged the Federal Government to establish policies and infrastructure that will support the responsible adoption of emerging technologies in the country’s film sector.
The call followed the completion of ASIRI ILU AWON OSU (Mystery of Osu Land), Parts 1 and 2, a Yoruba-language science-fiction feature co-created by Mysterious Tech Studio and Yoruba Nollywood actress Tanwa Hameed, popularly known as Asake Omogbajumo.
The project was completed in Ibadan, Oyo State, and its creators described it as a major milestone in the application of artificial intelligence to African filmmaking.
According to the filmmakers, the production is the world’s first photorealistic and longest Yoruba feature film powered substantially by artificial intelligence.
Running for more than three hours, the film was produced through a hybrid model that combines AI-generated visuals with human direction, performances and storytelling.
“About 80 per cent of the film’s visuals were generated with advanced AI tools, while the remaining 20 per cent involved human direction and live-action performances,” the creators said.
Three-Month Production
The project was developed over a three-month period between June and September 2025.
The filmmakers said the science-fiction story explores themes of society, power and humanity while drawing extensively from Yoruba culture and the broader African experience.
“We are now calling on the Federal Government to create an enabling environment for the adoption of emerging technologies in the film sector,” they said.
Beyond the technology used to produce the film, its creators said the project demonstrated how AI could help address some of the financial and logistical challenges faced by independent filmmakers.
They argued that emerging technologies could reduce production barriers for filmmakers who may not have access to large budgets, sophisticated equipment or extensive production crews.
“We further urge the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to pay greater attention to the emerging intersection between technology and the creative industry by supporting innovation, providing access to digital infrastructure and creating policies that would enable Nigerian filmmakers to explore AI responsibly.”
AI as a Creative Tool
The filmmakers stressed that the use of artificial intelligence was not intended to eliminate actors, directors or other creative professionals from the filmmaking process.
Instead, they said AI should be regarded as an additional tool capable of complementing human creativity and expanding the possibilities available to filmmakers.
According to the creators, the technology could allow Nigerian filmmakers to undertake more ambitious productions at comparatively lower costs while creating new avenues for indigenous stories to reach audiences outside Nigeria.
They said Mystery of Osu Land was conceived to demonstrate that technological innovation and cultural preservation could coexist.
The production combines human voices, direction and storytelling with digitally generated imagery while retaining the Yoruba language and cultural elements that underpin the narrative.
Guinness World Records Application
The film had previously attracted international attention after its creators submitted an application to Guinness World Records in October 2025.
The application sought recognition under a proposed category for the longest cinematic film co-created by artificial intelligence and a human director.
However, following a three-month review, Guinness World Records declined the application on January 27, 2026, explaining that the proposed category had not been formally established.
The filmmakers described the outcome as an administrative decision rather than a rejection of the production or its claims.
“The title rejection does not change reality. The film exists. It was completed. And it was done first,” the filmmakers said in a joint statement.
The creators maintained that the absence of an established Guinness World Records category did not diminish what they considered the significance of the project or its contribution to the evolution of AI-assisted filmmaking.
Global Release Planned
Despite the Guinness World Records decision, Mysterious Tech Studio said it would continue with plans for the film’s global release.
The intended audience includes members of the public, film critics, researchers and technology innovators interested in the intersection of artificial intelligence, cinema and African storytelling.
The filmmakers believe the project could contribute to a broader conversation about how emerging technologies can be deployed within Nigeria’s creative economy without compromising cultural identity.
They also argued that Nigeria has an opportunity to strengthen its position in the global creative industry by investing in digital infrastructure, technology skills and policies that encourage innovation while providing appropriate safeguards.
The development comes as artificial intelligence continues to reshape different aspects of film production globally, including visual effects, animation, post-production and content creation.
For the Nigerian film industry, the creators of Mystery of Osu Land believe the technology could provide a pathway for independent filmmakers to overcome traditional production constraints and tell culturally rooted stories on a larger scale.
The film is expected to make its debut on major streaming platforms soon.