Award-winning filmmaker and media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo has lent his voice to the growing conversation around artificial intelligence and creative expression, praising Instig Labs for its Prompt to Screen AI Competition, an initiative he describes as both timely and necessary for the future of African storytelling. The competition, a flagship project under Instig Labs’ Generative AI Network (GAIN), forms part of the Creative AI Storytelling Lab, designed to equip students and early-career professionals with practical skills in AI-driven creativity. According to Chude, “This project reflects the need to equip young creatives with tools that help them tell authentic stories while staying relevant in a rapidly evolving creative economy.”
The Prompt to Screen AI Competition challenged participants to translate ideas into compelling visual stories using AI tools, while retaining cultural depth and originality. Speaking on the vision behind the project, Michael Osumo, Program Manager at Instig Labs, explained that the initiative was built to nurture a new generation of storytellers who can combine African narratives with high-end technology. Judges assessed entries based on cultural resonance and technical mastery, a balance that, according to musician and judge Hillz, proved that artificial intelligence can enhance originality rather than diminish it. The programme also featured structured learning modules, exposing participants to practical applications of AI in storytelling, filmmaking, and creative production.
The competition produced standout winners across four thematic categories. Okechukwu Obi and Daniel Ikemsinachukwu emerged winners under Theme 1 with Created to Create, while Janet Ajah won Theme 2 for Far Away, a musical video exploring emotional distance and connection. Theme 3 was won by Nunsi Shiaki for Roots and Rhythm, a metaphorical reflection on culture and AI, and Omu Inetimi claimed Theme 4 with Red Niger, a gripping retelling inspired by the Asaba Massacre during the Nigerian Civil War. Reflecting on her experience, Janet Ajah noted that the competition pushed her to rethink storytelling and experiment boldly with artificial intelligence. Through initiatives like GAIN and the Creative AI Storytelling Lab, Instig Labs continues to position itself at the intersection of technology and culture, empowering African creatives with the skills, exposure, and confidence to shape the future of storytelling.
