….as DGN honours him, Andy Boyo, Multi choice at directors’ Week, awards show in Lagos
By Benjamin Njoku
Legendary filmmaker Tunde Kelani has urged young Nigerian directors to look inward for stories and embrace technology, saying Artificial Intelligence is a tool to enhance, not erase, African creativity.
Kelani made this assertion, while speaking at the maiden edition of Directors Guild of Nigeria, DGN Week and Awards 2026 in Lagos. The internationally acclaimed director, popularly known as TK, was honoured with a Special Recognition Award for his contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
“I want to advise our young filmmakers to look back to Africa for their authentic stories and never to be afraid to embrace new technology,” TK said. “AI is not going to take away your history, your artistry or your languages. It is a tool to enhance your work.”
The three-day event, held from August 19 to 21, 2026, at the Alliance Française/Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, brought together directors, producers, policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders to discuss the future of Nigeria’s screen industry.
Alongside Kelani, revered filmmaker and Nollywood patron, Mr. Andy Boyo received the Industry Service Award. Multichoice Nigeria was also honoured for its outstanding contribution to the country’s creative economy.
Kelani, whose career spans over four decades and is best known for screen adaptations of Nigerian novels and plays, described the award as deeply meaningful.
“As directors, we don’t only entertain. We are custodians of our history, our languages and traditions. This award would remain precious to me for the rest of my life. It came at a time when I’m still working, learning and making mistakes,” he said.
Andy Boyo, known for producing a one-cast movie that earned him recognition in the United States, urged other Nollywood guilds to emulate DGN by rewarding excellence. He revealed his next ambitious project would also be a none-cast film, which he hopes to commence shooting in 2029.
The maiden Directors’ Week featured masterclasses, a directors’ round-table, industry panels, and networking sessions. Discussions centered on career sustainability, financing, intellectual property, distribution, co-productions, streaming, advertising, sports, television, faith-based filmmaking, and artificial intelligence.
National President of DGN, Uche Agbo, said the programme was designed to place directors at the center of conversations shaping Nigeria’s cinematic identity. The event also witnessed the induction of new DGN Fellows including Charles Inojie, Andy Chukwu, Omoni Oboli, and Obi Emelonye, Sam Dede, Ifeanyi Ikpoenyi, John Njamah among others. Also, about 42 new members and associate members including Mike Ezuruonye, Daniel Etim-Effiong, Wale Ojo, Yomi Frederick, Stanley Obi and Juliet Ibrahim, were inducted into the Guild.
On the award nominees, Head of Jury, Dr. Shaibu Hussein, disclosed that the panel reviewed over 150 entries across various categories.
“The quality of entries was exceptionally strong. The process of arriving at winners was rigorous and demanding,” he said.
According to the organizers, the awards recognized outstanding directors and organizations whose work and commitment have helped shape Nigeria’s film industry, while also creating opportunities for emerging directors to learn from established professionals.
The event also witnessed the premiere of “The Angry Six”, a documentary chronicling the history and evolution of the Directors Guild of Nigeria. The documentary represents part of the organization’s effort to preserve its institutional history and document the experiences of previous generations of directors.
With the successful launch of Directors’ Week and the DGN Awards, the Directors Guild of Nigeria has signalled its determination to strengthen the professional standing of directors while contributing to the continued growth, development and professionalization of Nigeria’s film and television industry.
The Directors’ Week ended with a call for stronger collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and professional relationships to grow Nigeria’s screen sector.
The post Tell authentic African stories, embrace AI, Tunde Kelani charges young filmmakers appeared first on Vanguard News.