Nollywood Icon Dr. Victor Okhai to Headline AILFF'26 as Festival Unveils AI, Drone Filmmaking and Indigenous Language Masterclasses

Lagos, Nigeria —

Africa's rich storytelling heritage is set to meet the future of filmmaking as internationally acclaimed filmmaker, industry leader, media strategist, investment banker and technology advocate Dr. Victor Okhai headlines the 3rd African Indigenous Language Film Festival (AILFF'26) with a keynote address expected to redefine the future of indigenous language cinema on the continent.

Scheduled to hold from 22–25 July, 2026 in the ancient and culturally significant city of Parakou, Benin Republic, AILFF'26 promises to be more than a film festival. It is being positioned as Africa's foremost convergence of filmmakers, producers, distributors, investors, content creators, technology experts and cultural custodians committed to preserving indigenous languages through the power of cinema.

Dr. Okhai will deliver the festival's keynote address titled:

"Digital Bridges, Ancestral Voices: Reclaiming African Screens with Indigenous Tongues."

The keynote is expected to examine how emerging technologies—including Artificial Intelligence, digital distribution and content localization—can become powerful tools for preserving African languages while making indigenous-language films commercially competitive in the global marketplace.

Few voices are better suited to lead that conversation than Dr. Okhai.

Widely regarded as one of the architects of modern Nollywood, he is a filmmaker, producer, scriptwriter, cinematographer and educator whose contributions have shaped Nigeria's film industry for decades. As co-founder and immediate past National President of the Directors' Guild of Nigeria (DGN), he played a pivotal role in strengthening the professional standards and institutional development of the country's thriving screen industry.

His influence extends well beyond Africa. Dr. Okhai serves as a member of the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee (NOSC) and has been a juror for the prestigious International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Emmys). He has chaired juries at the Cairo International Film Festival, FESPACO in Burkina Faso and the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCAs), while collaborating with global media organisations including the BBC, CNN and Al Jazeera.

Bridging the worlds of creativity, finance, academia and emerging technology, Dr. Okhai is the Senior Vice President of Diaspora Capital Advisors LLC, Olympia, Washington, USA, Dean of the Faculty of Business at Osiri University, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Head of Global Partnerships for the UK-based AI startup, Plotweaver. These strategic leadership roles provide him with a unique perspective on investment, innovation, entrepreneurship and the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence on the global creative economy.

Beyond his remarkable professional achievements, he remains deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of African storytellers. As Founder and Director of Studies of the International Film and Broadcast Academy, established in Lagos in 1996, and a resource person at Pan-Atlantic University and the National Film Institute, Jos, he has mentored hundreds of filmmakers across the continent.

His participation perfectly complements the expanded vision of AILFF'26.

One of the festival's major highlights will be an intensive two-day practical workshop on the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across every stage of filmmaking—from story development, scriptwriting, pre-production and production to editing, visual effects, marketing, audience development, distribution and content monetization. Participants will gain practical insights into how AI is transforming global filmmaking and how African creators can leverage these technologies without compromising cultural authenticity.

Recognising the growing demand for global accessibility, the festival will also host a specialized Language Subtitling Workshop, equipping filmmakers with practical skills to subtitle indigenous-language films for international audiences, thereby expanding distribution opportunities across streaming platforms and world film festivals.

In another first for the festival, core film professionals will undergo a Drone Piloting Masterclass, providing hands-on training in aerial cinematography and the safe, creative deployment of drone technology in film production.

AILFF'26 will further provide participants with invaluable networking sessions, business matchmaking and project pitching opportunities, creating a platform where filmmakers can connect directly with producers, broadcasters, distributors, investors, festival programmers and international collaborators.

Beyond the conference halls, delegates will experience the rich history and cultural heritage of Parakou through guided tours of the ancient city, offering visitors an immersive encounter with one of West Africa's most historic cultural centres.

The four-day celebration will culminate in the prestigious AILFF Awards and Closing Party, where outstanding films and exceptional contributions to indigenous language filmmaking will be honoured amid a vibrant celebration of African culture, music and cinema.

With Dr. Victor Okhai leading the intellectual conversation and an ambitious programme that blends innovation, capacity building, technology, culture and business, AILFF'26 is shaping up to be one of Africa's most significant gatherings for filmmakers committed to ensuring that indigenous languages not only survive but thrive on screens across the world.

For filmmakers, investors and lovers of African storytelling, Parakou will become the continent's creative capital this July, where ancestral voices will meet cutting-edge technology—and where the future of African cinema will take another bold step forward.